This Week in Geek (7/13/2026–7/19/2026)

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In-Person Events
Virtual Events

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, July 13, to Sunday, July 19.

Although inclusion in This Week in Geek is not an official endorsement of any event or organizer, we do our best to feature events that appear safe, responsible, and consistent with our mission and values. If you feel that one of the events below is incompatible with Twin Cities Geek as an organization, we encourage you to contact us at info@twincitiesgeek.com with your concerns.

In-Person Events

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, July 13, and Wednesday, July 15, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Union Depot

Get your yoga mat and water ready for a free yoga class at the beautiful Union Depot in St. Paul. This event is taught by Studio 9-to-5 in the Depot’s Waiting Room or in the East Plaza when the weather is nice. Monday’s class focuses on a total-body sculpt workout, while Wednesday’s class is less-intense general yoga for all levels. See the event page on the Union Depot website for more information.

Music in the Parks: 10 Minute Recess

What: Music, Community
When: Tuesday, July 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Father Hennepin

Enjoy the free Music in the Parks series as it continues through summer. This week includes a performance by 10 Minute Recess, a pop-punk band that plays a mix of originals and covers. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Will Alexander Reading and Signing

What: Books
When: Wednesday, July 15, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: DreamHaven Books & Comics

Author and editor Will Alexander will be stopping DreamHaven for a reading and signing. His recent book Sunward was a 2026 Ursula Le Guin Award finalist.

Minneapolis Movies in the Parks: The Greatest Showman

What: Movies, Community
When: Wednesday, July 15, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Commons

Enjoy a night of community and movie magic under the stars! Movies start at dusk and are free and open to the public. Screening this week is The Greatest Showman, a fictionalized musical depiction of the rise of the Barnum & Bailey Circus starring Hugh Jackman, Zendaya, and Zac Efron. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

America’s 250th Lecture Series: Voting Rights

What: Educational
When: Thursday, July 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Lawshe Memorial Museum

In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Dakota County Historical Society is presenting a series of lectures exploring different aspects of our national government. This installment looks at voting rights, including the original process of voting, what voting might look like in the future, and an explanation of ranked choice voting. Tickets are $10 for general admission or $5 for DCHS members; ticket packages for multiple events in the series are also available.

Science on Tap

What: Educational, Food & Drink
When: Thursday, July 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Indeed Brewing

Scientists from the Minnesota Science Museum are heading to the taproom to help you learn something new while you enjoy a tasty brew. Each free event in the series will feature a different topic, with this installment exploring Minnesota anthropology, with a special focus on copper-working traditions in the Great Lakes region.

Indie Horror Double Header with Robbie Banfitch

What: Movies
When: Friday, July 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: TriLingua Cinema

Catch a double header of indie found-footage horror films with their filmmaker! TriLingua Cinema will be screening Tinsman Road at 6:00 p.m. then The Outwaters at 9:00 p.m., both followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Robbie Banfitch. Individual screening tickets are $10.

Main Character Syndrome Art Exhibition

What: Arts
When: Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: ALTR Gallery

The Main Character Syndrome exhibition showcases pieces from 30 artists exploring the pop-psychology concept of main character syndrome, where “someone sees themselves as the romanticized main character in their own story, treating others as mere supporting characters or NPCs (non-player characters).”

Summer Friday Night Car Shows

What: Community, Family
When: Friday nights through September 18, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown North St. Paul

Stroll downtown North St. Paul with plenty of shopping and food while appreciating classic cars and live music. Free.

RaveQuest: A Medieval Dance Night

What: Nightlife, Cosplay
When: Friday, July 17, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: First Avenue

Break out your renaissance-fair fits and dance the night away! DJ sets from BEJALVIN, Daisy Hex, mother3k (a.k.a. Anita Velveeta), and Starthirl. Costumes and medieval- or fantasy-inspired looks are welcome, but not required. Entrance is $20.11, and you have until 8:00 p.m. Sunday to enter our giveaway for two free tickets.

Feral Dance: The Final Feral

What: Nightlife, Gaming
When: Friday, July 17, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW Post 246

The Feral Crew are back for one more night of EDM, dancing, and video games. This final month features DJs Theology, Eve, Zenos, and AJ: Feral Father. Admission is $10–$15.

Collect-A-Con

What: Convention
When: Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center

Collect-A-Con is a trading card, anime, and pop-culture convention catered towards collectors, featuring over 900 vendor tables, card-grading submissions, celebrity guests, and autograph authentications. Guests include Justin Briner, Luci Christian, Steve Downes, Christopher Judge, Erica Schroeder, and more. There will also be live performances by Waka Flocka Flame and Jason Paige. Tickets are $43.22–$187.42; children under seven get in for free.

Minnesota Unearthed

What: Educational
When: Saturday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Bell Museum

“Dig into Minnesota geology and celebrate history through Indigenous perspectives!” This event will feature Minnesota fossils, atlatl throwing, planetarium screenings of Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge, and information about the Jeffers Petroglyphs. Experts from the Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Geological Survey, and the museum’s On Native Land Team will also be on-site to answer your questions. This event is included with regular museum admission.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, July 18, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: River Park (Brooklyn Park)

Play games and face off in battle with other live-action roleplay (LARP) enthusiasts. This free event is hosted by Greenharbor LARP, a local chapter of the global medieval-fantasy combat LARP organization Amtgard. New players are encouraged to join in on the fun and all equipment is provided for free.

Dark Star Art Market and Smorgasbord Metal Fest II: The Second Helping

What: Music, Community
When: Saturday, July 18, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Eagles 34

Find alternative art and oddities at the Dark Star Art Market and then stick around for a night of metal music. The market opens at 1:00 p.m. and the music kicks off at 4:00 p.m. with a lineup of 10 bands. Tickets are $20 at the door. Check out the event listing for the full roster of bands and vendors.

Shrek Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drinks
When: Sunday, July 19, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Crave Rooftop

Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week features a comedic celebration of Shrek. Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $20.28 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, July 19, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

Shieldmaiden Sundays are a dedicated space for female-identifying (including trans women/femme) and nonbinary nerds and geeks at Source Comics and Games. This is a recurring weekly event providing a space for women to play games, chat about comics, cosplay, or just enjoy the company of other geeks. Be sure to check out the Source calendar for additional events!

Trivia Mafia at Fulton Taproom

What: Trivia, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, July 19, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Fulton Taproom

Every Sunday evening, enjoy a couple hours of trivia along with some good food and local beer.

Vilification Tennis Frosts Your Tips: A 2000s Show

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Strike Theater

Vilification Tennis, a local structured-improv show focused on insult contests, is starting Top 8 drama and lampooning everything from the aughts. So “Come on Over Baby and Bring Me to Life with Arms Wide Open because What a Girl Wants is to Lose Yourself in the Candy Shop while you Shake Ya Tailfeather under our Umbrella as we get Low… with Vilification Tennis!” Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

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Virtual Events

825 Arts Minecraft Club

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Monday, July 13, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Minecraft and Discord

St. Paul’s 825 Arts hosts a virtual gathering space “by kids for kids” in Minecraft with a club meetup every Monday where teens and preteens can play, design, participate in theme challenges, and just hang out. Check out the website for information on joining their server, a technical FAQ, moderation and safety information for parents, and other Minecraft events.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, July 13, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Get your trivia on from the comfort of home with Geeks Who Drink’s online trivia night. Prove your mettle, and maybe learn a little something!

Virtual Makers Mornings

What: Community, Arts
When: Tuesday, July 14, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join fellow makers at this morning social hour hosted by the American Swedish Institute. This free event is open to all kinds of crafts and is intended as a place to share projects, make some progress, and socialize. Registration is required.

Gaming Wednesdays for Teens: Virtual Gaming

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, July 15, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Weekly gathering to play online board and video games for grades 6–12. Hosted by the Ramsey County Library. Registration required.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, July 15, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

The Twin Cities Geek art club meets every Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the Twin Cities Geeks Discord. Hop on voice or video and chat while you create art, then share your finished pieces on the #art-club channel! This event is open to all. Join the server by visiting twincitiesgeek.com/discord.

John Morrissey: Five Points Irish Mob Boss Turned State Senator

What: Educational
When: Thursday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual

In 19th-century New York, the legendary John Morrissey went from being a street fighter to holding seats in Congress and the state Senate. This webinar will take deep dive into his history, including his rise to bare-knuckle boxing Heavyweight Champion of America, his rivalry with gang-leader William “Bill the Butcher” Poole, his political career, and his death. Tickets are $20.46.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—The Art of the Etruscans

What: Educational
When: Friday, July 17, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Smithsonian Institution, home to famed museums and world-class research centers, is bringing educational programs and art courses online for all to enjoy. At this event, author and art historian Laura Morelli will dive into the culture, art, and archaeology of the Etruscans, who were contemporaries of the ancient Romans and Greeks. General-admission tickets are $30, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.

An Introduction to Valentine Penrose with Mia X. Pérez

What: Educational
When: Saturday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Romancing the Gothic hosts weekly classes and events exploring gothic, romantic, and horror topics. This week, writer and translator Mia X. Pérez gives an introduction to Valentine Penrose, who was a 20th century French “author, collagist, traveler, mystic, antifascist, and scholar” whose work was “infused with arcane symbolism, sapphic eroticism, literary erudition, and revolutionary politics.” Penrose is best known for The Bloody Countess, a gothic novel that Pérez argues is better contextualized with the gothic and romantic traditions of 19th century French Romantics rather than her contemporaries. Romancing the Gothic events are free to attend, but pay-what-you-can donations or patronage to support the series are encouraged.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, July 18, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

The popular Transmission dance night is hosting a weekly virtual music-video stream. DJ Jake Rudh will be bringing New Wave, Alternative, and more ’80s-centric greats directly to your home. So, dance, dance, dance to the radio (or, in this case, Twitch stream).

Virtual Dungeons and Dragons for Teens

What: Gaming
When: Sunday, July 19, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom and Roll20

Online D&D for grades 6–12 hosted by the Ramsey County Library. All experience levels welcome. Registration required.

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So, which of these events will you be attending? What events would you like to see featured in the future? Let us know in the comments section below or contact us via email. And don’t forget to add your events to the Twin Cities Geek Community Calendar!