This Week in Geek (8/3/2026–8/9/2026)

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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, August 3, to Sunday, August 9.

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

Minneapolis Music in the Parks

What: Music, Community
When: Now through Monday, September 7
Where: Various parks around Minneapolis

Enjoy the free Music in the Parks series as it continues through summer. At least one group featured every day. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, August 3, and Wednesday, August 5, 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.

Mahjong Workshop

What: Gaming
When: Monday, August 3, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Boom Island Brewing Company

This introduction to American Mahjong will include everything you need to understand the fundamentals. Cost $60. All game supplies provided during class.

Minneapolis Central Library Chess Club

What: Gaming
When: Tuesday, August 4, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Central Library

Meet other chess fans and practice your skills. All ages and levels welcome. Free.

Reptiles around the World! with Snake Discovery

What: Educational, Family
When: Tuesday, August 4, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Ramsey County Library (Maplewood)

Learn about reptiles from all over the world complete with animal ambassadors to experience up close. Free.

Artability Open Studio with People Incorporated

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, August 5, at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Northside Community Support

Open studio time for anyone who feels that art supports their mental health. Create independently or with support while experimenting with various techniques. All supplies provided. Free. Check out Artability’s many creative seminar offerings.

Minneapolis Movies in the Parks: Men in Black

What: Movies, Community
When: Wednesday, August 5, at 8:35 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 Men in Black, based on the Marvel comics and starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. Also showing this week on other days are Zootopia 2 and Sharknado. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Minnesota Fringe Festival

What: Theater & Comedy, Educational, Family
When: Thursday, August 6, through Sunday, August 16
Where: Various locations

The 33rd Annual Minnesota Fringe Festival is upon us. This is an opportunity to see a wide variety of shows which connect with audiences in novel ways. See the website for shows and ticket information.

Science on Tap: Water

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

Scientists from the Science Museum of Minnesota 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 the issues that threaten our lakes and streams and how these issues can be addressed.

DND 5E Campaign: Jurassic Humblewood

What: Gaming
When: Thursday, August 6, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Enchanted Quill (North Branch)

Join a new campaign as it kicks off to save the world of Humblewood from its Dinosaur Overlords. This initial session is free, but remainder of the campaign is $30 per player.

Opening Day: Nature All Around Us

What: Science & Tech
When: Friday, August 7, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Science Museum of Minnesota

The new exhibit “Nature All Around Us” premieres showcasing how interconnected the natural world is and how it influences our daily lives, even in heavily urban environments. Exhibit access is included with regular museum admission.

RollerCon at the Rink

What: Sports & Fitness, Cosplay
When: Friday, August 7, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Iron Trail Motors Event Center (Virginia, MN)

“Whether you’re a superhero, wizard, anime character, gamer, comic-book legend, or simply someone who loves to roller skate, RollerCon is your chance to show off your fandom while having an amazing night on wheels!” Event includes unlimited skating, a costume contest, and a vendor marketplace all for just $3 admission. Skate rentals available.

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.

An Evening with the ARTCRANK Archive

What: Sports & Fitness, Arts
When: Friday, August 7, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Venture Bikes Midtown

Enjoy a casual bike ride followed by an outdoor projection show of bike-themed art. “A night for people who ride, people who love art, and everyone who feels at home where the two come together.” The ride is open to all ages and abilities. Riders are reminded to bring a helmet and lights. Free, but registration preferred.

Scream It Off Screen

What: Movies
When: Friday, August 7, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkway Theater

Scream It Off Screen is a short-film contest with an audience interaction element! Come together with other film nerds in one of the Twin Cities greatest revival theaters. Audiences will cry out “Gong!” or “Let it play!” in order to determine which films will be shown in full. Tickets are $23.66 in advance or $25 at the door. (Read: “With Scream It Off Screen at the Parkway Theater, Everyone’s a Critic”)

Universe in the Park

What: Science & Technology
When: Friday, August 7, at 8:45 p.m.
Where: Dodge Nature Center (West St. Paul)

Presented by the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics, learn about a variety of astronomical topics in a short slide show, followed by the opportunity to view the sky through eight-inch reflecting telescopes. This event occurs rain or shine, and is free. There are additional dates at different locations around Minnesota throughout August.

Hot Goth Summer at RaptureMN

What: Nightlife, Cosplay
When: Friday, August 7, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Ground Zero Nightclub

Goths! Enjoy a night of DJs and entertainers (including fire performance, aerial acrobatics, laser lights, LEDs, and more) while dancing the night away. See the event description for a list of DJs and entertainers. Tickets are $15. The theme for this event is “Dress like it is a Hot Aug Summer Party and you’re Gothy!”

Big Minneapolis Anime

What: Convention
When: Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center

Anime enthusiasts can enjoy a weekend packed with celebrity guests, including voice actors from Dragon Ball, Avatar: The Last Airbender, One Punch Man, Frieren, and more. A full weekend pass is $65.81. Single-day passes and reduced-price passes for children are also available.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, August 8, 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.

Dungeons & Dragons & Doughnuts

What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Saturday, August 8, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Angel Food Bakery & Donut Bar (St. Louis Park)

Get ready to roll some dice, slay some dragons, and eat some tasty doughnuts. Adventurers of all levels can join this Dungeons & Dragons game night with quests led by experienced game masters. Tickets are $33.85, which includes a doughnut, colorful set of dice, a premade character sheet, and entry into an artist giveaway, as well as bottomless cider, cold brew, and cocoa.

The Pickup Truck Opera: Tales of Hoffman

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Saturday, August 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bronx Park Community Garden (St. Louis Park)

Opera hits the road in a blue pickup truck with a traveling performance of Tales of Hoffman, which showcases the adventures of a traveling poet in a world overrun by technology. All performances will be held outdoors in natural spaces throughout the state and ingeniously use the truck and trailer as a stage. This is the debut event of the season. See the website for a full schedule, including the different dates and locations.

Family Day: Express Yourself

What: Arts, Family
When: Sunday, August 9, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Family Day is a free monthly event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that gives the young and the young at heart an opportunity to check out performances, hands-on activities, tours, and more. This weekend’s theme is “Express Yourself,” including a puppet show, duct-tape art, and special events with The Children’s Theatre Company.

Bob’s Burgers vs. Family Guy Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drinks
When: Sunday, August 9, 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, enjoy campy chaos during this burger-flipping showdown as Quahog takes on Ocean Avenue. Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $20.98 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, August 9, 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!

Next Chapter Booksellers Manga Club

What: Comics
When: Sunday, August 9, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Next Chapter Booksellers

Discuss a new manga title every month at Next Chapter Booksellers. This free manga book club also provides tasty Japanese snacks and discounts on manga purchases in the store. Check out the event page for more information. For August, the read of choice is Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 1 by Kamome Shirahama.

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Virtual Events

825 Arts Minecraft Club

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Monday, August 3, 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.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Saving the Declaration of Independence

What: Educational
When: Monday, August 3, at 5:30 p.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, learn how the Declaration of Independence has survived 250 years, despite fading ink, fragile paper, and many historic events that have endangered it, up through modern times where it benefits from “James Bond-level security and space-age technology” to preserve it. 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.

The (Not-So) Young Adult Book Club

What: Books
When: Monday, August 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Adults can embrace their love of young-adult literature at this book club hosted on the first Monday of every month by Red Balloon Bookshop. Members choose the monthly book, receive discounts, and have opportunities to read advance reader copies (ARCs). Anyone interested in joining should head over to the event page for more information, including how to sign up.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, August 3, 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, August 4, 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.

Drive-in Movies: Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American Icon

What: Educational
When: Wednesday, August 5, at 8:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

Learn the history of how drive-in movie theaters became American cultural icons, how they rose in popularity, and why they declined despite rising interest in both cars and movies. Tickets are $20.46. Recording accessible to registered participants for one week after the event.

Gaming Wednesdays for Teens: Virtual Gaming

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, August 5, 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, August 5, 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.

Stargazing at RAL: Solar Science and Space Weather

What: Science & Technology
When: Thursday, August 6, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

“Take a journey from the Sun’s turbulent atmosphere to the space environment surrounding Earth” via various solar missions and get a better understanding of how the sun impacts our technological society. Recommended for ages 12+. Free, but registration required.

First Friday—Third Thursday QuickRead

What: Books
When: Friday, August 7, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

If you are always looking for a new science-fiction, fantasy, or horror read, check out this literary speed-dating event featuring several authors who each get eight minutes to pique your interest. Q&A at the end of the event. Free, but tips accepted.

The Horror of Black Motherhood: Navigating Fear, Family, and Survival

What: Educational
When: Saturday, August 8, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

Romancing the Gothic hosts weekly classes and events exploring gothic, romantic, and horror topics. This week’s event centers around how Black motherhood is often portrayed in horror cinema, facing not just the usual genre horrors of monsters, possession, etc, but also the horror of systemic racism. “This session invites us to reconsider what – and who – horror cinema is truly about when the mother is both the hero and the haunted.” Romancing the Gothic events are free to attend, but pay-what-you-can donations or patronage to support the series is encouraged.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, August 8, 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, August 9, 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!