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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 25, to Sunday, August 31.
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
Minnesota State Fair
What: Community, Family, Food & Drink, Music
When: Now through Monday, September 1
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Twelve days of fun from August 21 to September 1, famous for its foods on sticks, butter princesses, musical acts, prize-winning animals, arts and crafts, and limited-run beer! They don’t call it the great Minnesota get-together for nothing, and geeks of all stripes are likely to find activities that interest them. Adult tickets are $17 (see the ticket site for all costs and deals) for this family-friendly event, with Grandstand performances requiring additional tickets. See the website for more details on planning your trip, and be sure to check out our article regarding the character alignments of the new state fair foods!
The Pickup Truck Opera: The Return of King Idomeneo
What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, September 14
Where: Various venues
Opera hits the road in a blue pickup truck with a traveling performance of The Return of King Idomeneo. This show brings Mozart’s opera about Greek General Idomeneo and the Trojan War into mid-century America and will mix together classic arias and choruses with the musical stylings of 1950s doo-wop and 1960s girl groups. All performances will be held outdoors in natural spaces throughout the state and ingeniously use the truck and trailer as a stage. See the website for a full schedule, including the different locations.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
What: Arts, Comedy & Theater, Educational, Family
When: Now through Sunday, September 28
Where: 12364 Chestnut Boulevard (Shakopee)
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 54th season, and will be open weekends from August 16 to September 28! Come experience a wide variety of Renaissance-themed activities, including musical acts, comedy shows, artisan markets, food and drink, actors in costume, games, demos, jousting, and kid-themed events. The fest is open rain or shine, and tickets are $28.95 for adults, $26.95 for seniors, and $19.95 for children at the gate, and there are other ticket and pass options available on the website. Please note, those making the drive to the festival will either need to purchase a pre-paid parking pass at $18 to park on the MN Ren Fest Ground or plan on utilizing the park-and-ride lots with round-trip bus rides for $6.
Free Yoga at Union Depot
What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, August 25, and Wednesday, August 27, 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.
Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books
What: Arts
When: Tuesday, August 26, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art
Take a specially curated tour through the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s collection as inspired by books. Each month’s tour will focus on a different book for inspiration, with August exploring The Women by Kristin Hannah. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor. Similar tours are available at other dates and times.
Patrick Barb: Abducted
What: Books
When: Tuesday, August 26, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Next Chapter Booksellers
Celebrate the launch of Patrick Barb’s latest book, Abducted. The story follows a police sergeant unwinding conspiracy theories and cover ups related to her first big case that went cold, where a boy was abducted by little gray men, after he reappears 19 years later. Patrick is also the author of Pre-Approved for Haunting, The Children’s Horror, Helicopter Parenting in the Age of Drone Warfare, and more.
Teen Writers’ Guild
What: Meetup, Books
When: Tuesday, August 26, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Dayton’s Bluff Library
Every fourth Tuesday, teen writers can get together at the Dayton’s Bluff Library for encouragement, peer critiques, and opportunities to develop their craft. This meetup is free, with snacks and hot drinks provided.
Minneapolis Movies in the Parks: The Fall Guy
What: Movies, Community
When: Wednesday, August 27, at 8:00 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 Fall Guy, where a stuntman, played by Ryan Gosling, gets tangled up in a conspiracy involving a missing actor. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.
Free Thursday Nights at the History Center
What: Educational, Family
When: Thursday, August 28, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center
Explore Minnesota’s history with free admission and parking to the Minnesota History Center on Thursday nights. Exhibits include Then Now Wow, Our Home: Native Minnesota, Weather Permitting, and more.
The Legend of Zelda Trivia
What: Trivia
When: Thursday, August 28 and Sunday, August 31, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bad Weather Brewing and Wandering Leaf Brewing
It’s dangerous to go alone! Gather your party of up to six to embark on this test of Zelda knowledge, wisdom, and lore. Thursday’s trivia will be held and Bad Weather Brewing and Sunday’s at Wandering Leaf Brewing. This event is free, but adventurers can only participate in one. So “ready your Sheikah Slate, and prepare to face questions spanning every era of The Legend of Zelda.”
Cycle the Summer: End of Summer Celebration
What: Sports & Fitness
When: Friday, August 29, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Lake Nokomis Beach Parking Lot
Join Minneapolis Parks and Recreation for an end of summer biking party! The free event will feature a BMX stunt show, vendors, bike mechanics 101, a kids jump, and information about the Minneapolis Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway passport program.
Music in the Parks: ILLWIN
What: Music, Community
When: Friday, August 29, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Minnehaha Bandstand
Enjoy the free Music in the Parks series as it continues through summer. This week includes a performance by the rapper and producer ILLWIN, who also hosts the No Tea, No Shade show on KFAI Fresh Air Community Radio. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.
FERAL DANCE Presents 2Dtox: 2D Con Official After Party
What: Nightlife, Music
When: Friday, August 29, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: James Ballentine “Uptown”VFW
Dance off the post-con blues at the official 2D Con After Party. The DJ lineup includes Theology, Eve, Saxon, Trance Jesus, and MangaBookGuy. There will also be a cosplay contest and 2D Con 2026 badge giveaway. All are welcome to join the party. Tickets are $10 at the box office, $12.16 online, or $15 at the door; save $5 when you bring your 2025 2D Con badge.
Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day
What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, August 30, 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.
Celebrate Racket‘s 4th Birthday!
What: Meetup, Community
When: Saturday, August 30, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Arbeiter Brewing
Racket, a local news publication and the spiritual successor of City Pages, is celebrating their fourth birthday! Stop by the party to nerd out about independent media and local journalism, and maybe snag some free merch. The event is free to attend; food and drinks will be available for purchase.
The Iron Giant Free Outdoor Screening
What: Movies
When: Saturday, August 30, at 8:15 p.m.
Where: East Side Sculpture Park
Catch a free outdoor screening of The Iron Giant, an animated classic about a boy who befriends an alien robot and must protect him from the destructive intentions of the military. This is also the first film by Brad Bird, a Pixar legend whose later films include The Incredibles and Ratatouille. This screening will be presented by Trilingua Cinema in English with English subtitles.
Transvestite Soup Presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show
What: Film, Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, August 30, at 11:30 p.m.
Where: The Parkway
Watch a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the “longest-running midnight movie of all time.” Transvestite Soup is the Twin Cities’ shadow cast for the showing, performing for your pleasure as part of the cult classic’s well-established tradition. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. and tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
’90s Drag Brunch
What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, August 31, at 10:00 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Crave
Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week celebrates the iconic music, style, and pop culture of the 1990s. Costumes and singing along are encouraged. Tickets are $20.28 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.
Disasters on the Riverfront Tour
What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Sunday, August 31, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Mill City Museum
The Mississippi riverfront became the “flour milling capital of the world” during an era of industrialization, but with that transformation came many unintended consequences. On this 1.25-mile walking tour, learn about the local milling industry including its impact on the landscape, industrial accidents, and deindustrialization. Tickets are $25.
Minneapolis Central Craft Club
What: Arts, Community
When: Sunday, August 31, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central
Craft it up on a Sunday afternoon with community at this free club that focusses on knitting, crochet, papercrafts, embroidery, and hand-sewing. Bring your own materials to make progress on your current project or begin something new with the materials provided.
Shieldmaiden Sunday
What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, August 31, 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!
Virtual Events
Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—La Brea Tar Pits: Peril and Promise
What: Educational
When: Monday, August 25, at 6:00 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 about the La Brea Tar Pits, which due to geologic processes and underground crude oil is, the “richest Ice Age fossil site on Earth.” Excavation site director Emily Lindsey will lead a virtual tour, as well as discuss recent discoveries, what fossils reveal about the past, and how the site is contributing to climate-resiliency plans. 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.
Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night
What: Trivia
When: Monday, August 25, 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!
Indigenous Foraging and Conservation
What: Educational
When: Wednesday, August 27, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
The Minnesota Women in Conservation host a series of free lunch-time webinars with “news you can use.” This event features Indigenous Chef Candace Stock discussing conservation and respect for ecosystems in the context of foraging for both medicine and food.
Twin Cities Geek Art Club
What: Arts
When: Wednesday, August 27, 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.
Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs
What: Movies
When: Wednesday, August 27, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord
Enjoy a free screening of an obscure film with Miss Emmy Martian and other cinephiles on Discord every Wednesday night.
Writer’s Roulette
What: Meetup
When: Thursday, August 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Stretch those creative writing muscles at the Writer’s Roulette! Each event starts with a writing prompt and 20 minutes to write whatever comes to mind in any genre or style. Then participants are given the option to share their work. “Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practice, or just a creative jolt, Writer’s Roulette is your chance to see where the words take you.” Tickets are $7.
An Introduction to Gothic Radio Drama
What: Educational
When: Saturday, August 30, 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, they’re diving into early radio dramas and the gothic thrills that helped usher in the golden age of radio. Shows in the discussion include The Zero Hours, Creeps by Night, The Strange Dr. Weird, and more. This class is offered in the morning at 10:00 a.m. and in the afternoon at 3:00 p.m.; registration is available at their respective links. Romancing the Gothic events are free to attend, but donations or patronage to support the series are appreciated.
Multilingual Karaoke
What: Music, Meetup
When: Saturday, August 30, at 10:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord
Step up on the virtual stage to sing your favorite international songs. This free weekly karaoke event is a great way to practice a new language, or sing some songs that just don’t quite fit in at a typical monolingual karaoke night. Singers can choose any language and can be at any proficiency level. Cameras are optional and spectators are welcome.
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!
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