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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 7, to Sunday, July 13.
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 7, and Wednesday, July 9, 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 North 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.
Astounding Astrophysics: Catching Some Gravitational Waves
What: Educational
When: Tuesday, July 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Tate Laboratory of Physics, University of Minnesota
For this event in the Astounding Astrophysics series, astrophysicist and professor Dr. Michael Coughlin will discuss how gravitational waves let us hear the universe, how astronomers hunt for flashes of light, and how combining what we see with gravitational waves is unlocking new secrets about the universe. Free to attend; parking is available for $1/hour.
Nerd Nite Out: July Edition
What: Educational, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, July 9, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Black Hart Bar, St. Paul
The organizers of Nerd Nite invite you out for a night of “nice drink, good company, and some cold. hard. facts.” Those cold, hard facts come in the form of monthly “nerdy TED talks” in which community members dive into a topic they are passionate about. July’s event has a TBD lineup, but “the forecast is looking like history with a sprinkling of hobbits.”
North Star Nerdlesque Festival 2025 Showcases
What: Theater & Comedy, Nightlife
When: Thursday, July 10, through Saturday, July 12
Where: Gay 90’s Minneapolis and the Historic Mounds Theatre
The North Star Nerdlesque Festival is a celebration of the best nerdy burlesque from Minnesota and beyond. More than 30 performers will enchant the stage during three unique show lineups, including headliners Jacqueline Boxx, Lola LeSoleil, and Rita D’LaVane. Tickets start at $20.
Firefly Viewing Nights
What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Thursday, July 10, and Saturday, July 12, at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chaska)
Enjoy a night hike surrounded by the soft glow of lightning bugs! Start the night by learning about these creatures from a Minnesota master naturalist, then choose from four different routes that vary in length—from half a mile to over two miles. General admission tickets are $20, with discounts available for children and members.
Panda Fest
What: Food & Drink, Family
When: Friday, July 11, through Sunday, July 13
Where: Mall of America, North Lot
One of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals in the US, Panda Fest will feature over 100 Asian food vendors, experiential activities, tastings and a market featuring art and cultural traditions from Asia. There will also be lots of pandas: panda-themed food, panda inflatables, panda face painting, and more! Tickets are $20.24 and are valid for a specific three-hour time slot during the event.
The Uncanny Experience
What: Convention
When: Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13
Where: Minneapolis Club
Engage with fellow X-Men fans while wandering the halls of Xavier’s campus, exploring the Mutant Market, attending engaging panels, and more! Masking is encouraged. General admission tickets start at $100.75. (Read: “The Uncanny Experience Brings an Immersive and Inclusive X-Men Event to Minneapolis”)
Range Fan Con
What: Convention
When: Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13
Where: Iron Trail Motors Event Center, Virginia
A gathering of fandoms in the Iron Range area. Activities include board games, trivia, a dance party, cosplay, and more. A weekend pass is $28.72; one-day passes also available.
Monster Jam
What: Community
When: Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13
Where: Xcel Energy Center
What if trucks could be monstrous? Be amazed as 12,000-pound trucks stand on two wheels, perform jaw-dropping stunts, and compete with speed and skill. Three action-packed showtimes available. Tickets start at $38.10.
Little Akihabara Community Bazaar
What: Community
When: Saturday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Maplewood Mall
Buy, sell, and trade at this event sponsored by Anime Fusion and Fragmented Nostalgia. There will be 30 tables of offerings, including collectibles, toys, media, and other unique goods. Free, but donations are encouraged to help support similar events in the future.
ABBA and Disco Drag Brunch
What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drinks
When: Saturday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.
Where: Union Rooftop
Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week features ABBA and other disco hits. Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $20.28 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.
STEAM Saturday: Art of Electronic Communication
What: Educational, Science & Technology
When: Saturday, July 12, at 11:00 am.
Where: Pavek Museum, St. Louis Park
The Pavek Museum of Electronic Communication educates through a combination of historical collections and hands-on activities. This STEAM Saturday event includes a sound effect activity, a music activity, Russian dolls, and a sticker designing contest. Event included with admission to the museum ($11 for adults, free under 18).
Book Fair for Grown-Ups
What: Books
When: Saturday, July 12, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Calling all bookworms! Enjoy a “day filled with great reads, unique finds, and community vibes” at this book fair. There will be local independent bookshops with a wide selection of titles, crafters selling bookish wares, and craft beer. Admission of $10 includes a free drink ticket. Children 12 and under get in free.
Salon du Larp House: Echo Caprese and the Silver Moon Directive
What: Gaming
When: Saturday, July 12, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Roosevelt Library Meeting Room
In the latest edition of the Echo Caprese series, Echo must navigate a series of obstacles in a ’90s cyberpunk adventure video game to obtain a data chip while other characters help. This event is a playtest in which attendees can expect a complete play experience that may have some blips in the smaller details. Immersive costumes are not required but are welcomed. Tickets are pay-what-you-want, with a suggested donation of $5 to $20. Masks and proof of vaccination required.
Manga Club: Orange: The Complete Collection, Vol. 2
What: Comics
When: Saturday, July 12, at 5:00 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, including the tentative upcoming schedule. For July, the read of choice is Orange: The Complete Collection, Vol. 2.
Drive-In Movie Night: Top Gun: Maverick
What: Movies
When: Saturday, July 12, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Forest Lake Airport
Watch Top Gun: Maverick under the open sky at the Forest Lake Airport. Snacks available for purchase. Suggested donation of $10 per vehicle appreciated but not required.
Family Day: Bloom
What: Arts
When: Sunday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art
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 “Bloom,” inspired by the current exhibition Hokusai | Monet, and features floral prints on paper, origami, and taiko drumming.
Shieldmaiden Sunday
What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, July 13, 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!
History Hike
What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Sunday, July 13, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park
On this one-hour hike, learn about how history has shaped the land around Fort Snelling State Park and how that history relates to today. See the website for additional information.
July DJ Dance Ride
What: Sports & Fitness, Music
When: Sunday, July 13, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Perennial Cycle
Join the DJ Dance Ride for a perfect night of cycling and dancing with an upbeat soundtrack spun live by local DJs. This slow-paced ride welcomes all wheels, including e-bikes, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades/skates. The planned route is 10 miles round trip, mostly on the Greenway, and has two built-in dance stops. This event is free and riders are reminded to bring lights.
Virtual Events
Summer Games Done Quick 2025
What: Gaming, Community
When: Now through Sunday, July 13
Where: Virtual via Twitch
Support Doctors Without Borders while watching some of the best speedrunners around at Summer Games Done Quick (GDQ). This annual video-game marathon has raised over $50 million for charity to date. There will be a packed schedule of video-game speedruns, including retro classics, modern hits, and indie darlings. Registration for the in-person event has closed, but all of the action will be streamed live on their Twitch channel.
GPS Creative Night
What: Arts
When: Monday, July 7, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Google Meet
Let your creativity shine with drawing, painting, crafting, or whatever your heart desires at Creative Night, a weekly event put on by the Geek Partnership Society. This is a free event and a great opportunity to work on projects in great company.
Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night
What: Trivia
When: Monday, July 7, 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!
The (Not-So) Young Adult Book Club
What: Books
When: Monday, July 7, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual
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 Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs). Anyone interested in joining should head over to the event page for more information, including how to sign up.
Twin Cities Geek Art Club
What: Arts
When: Wednesday, July 9, 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, July 9, 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.
Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Arms and Armor: Bringing the Past into the Future
What: Educational
When: Thursday, July 10, 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 about one of the world’s largest private collections of arms and armor, spanning over 6,000 years of history, as well as methods of preservation. General admission tickets are $35, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.
Story Time: The Earth’s Shield
What: Educational
When: Friday, July 11, at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Listen to an original story from the National Air and Space Museum about how the Earth and sun interact, the benefits the Earth gets from the sun, and how it protects itself when the sun is just too much. Free, but registration is required.
Scratch Online Contest
What: Science & Technology, Family
When: Saturday, July 12, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual
For students in first through eighth grade, solve interactive puzzles using Scratch, learn coding concepts, and have fun! Open to all skill levels. Free, but registration is required.
Sistah Scifi Graphic Novel Club: Of Thunder and Lightning
What: Books
When: Saturday, July 12, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual
Sistah Scifi Graphic Novel Club meets monthly and discusses graphic novels and comic books centered on people of color. This month’s selection is Of Thunder and Lightning by Kimberly Wang, about a warrior resisting forces attempting to control them who is torn between duty and self-discovery. Free, but registration is required.
Online Clue Solving Game: Redbeard’s Treasure
What: Gaming
When: Sunday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual
Solve puzzles to get clues in this online adventure game where you are a thief turned spy attempting to outsmart the infamous pirate Redbeard. Tickets are about $16 per team. Bring your own team of two to five people for best results.
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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