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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 18, to Sunday, August 24.
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
Drop In Skate Deck Art Show Opening
What: Arts
When: Now through Friday, September 12
Where: Modist Brewing Co.
Celebrate skate culture and great art at Drop In, an art show where skateboard decks are the canvas. The show will feature pieces from over 90 artists with backgrounds in a variety of mediums displayed on the taproom walls, all of which will be available for purchase. The skate decks will be on display at the brewery through September 12.
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. This week’s opening Saturday also features a Penn & Teller performance celebrating their 50th anniversary, who made their first performance as a duo in 1975 at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. 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 18, and Wednesday, August 20, 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.
WTF! Watch Terrible Films Club
What: Movies
When: Monday, August 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: 56 Brewing’s Barrel Room
If you’re a film buff who likes cheesy movies that are so-bad-they’re-kind-of-good, then this free club is for you. Every third Monday, catch a screening of a curated movie in 56 Brewing’s barrel room, while enjoying local brews and food-truck bites. Check out the WTF Club’s Instagram for a preview of the upcoming movie, or just show up the night of to be surprised.
Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books
What: Arts
When: Tuesday, August 19, 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.
Because of Winn-Dixie 25th Anniversary Celebration
What: Books, Movies
When: Tuesday, August 19, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Riverview Theatre
Join author Kate DiCamillo for a screening of the movie Because of Winn-Dixie followed by a Q&A and book signing. Tickets are $20 and include a copy of the book. (editor’s update: at the time of this posting, this event is sold out, but check the Riverview website for any updates)
Books & Bars: Yellowface
What: Books
When: Wednesday, August 20, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Utepils Brewing
Books & Bars is an “open public book club show” hosted and moderated by former Minnesota Public Radio producer Jeff Kamin that provides attendees with “a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, good food, and social lubrication.” The book being discussed this month is Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. Next month’s book is The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell.
Twin Cities Playtest
What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, August 20, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot and Virtual via YouTube
This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developer’s Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in-person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking. Check out the full details of how to join on the event page.
Trash Film Debauchery
What: Movies
When: Wednesday, August 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Trylon Cinema
Long-running local cult-cinema group Trash Film Debauchery returns to the Trylon for a screening of Brutal Fury, directed by Fred P. Watkins. Tickets are $5.
GothiCoffee
What: Meetup
When: Wednesday, August 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Elysium Society
The Twin Cities Elysium Society hosts a casual meetup on the third Wednesday of each month. This group is a “community and a resource for all manner of goth, not-goth, darksider, freak, punk, metal, steam, cyber, rivet, Victorian, romantic, grufti, espeluznante, emo, otaku, morbidly inclined, dark creative, what-have-you (you know who you are).”
Pundamonium: The Minneapolis Pun Slam!
What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, August 20, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Club Underground at the Spring Street Tavern
Pundamonium is a pun slam—a competition of wordplay with 10 contestants, each given two minutes to make puns based on prompts they are given ahead of time. A few lucky audience members act as judges for the night, with their top four pun slingers going head to head in a final pun-off. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Minnesota State Fair
What: Community, Family, Food & Drink, Music
When: Thursday, August 21 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!
Green Roof Poetry, Nature
What: Books, Arts
When: Thursday, August 21, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center
Hear readings from Moheb Soliman, M.L. Martin, and Elisabeth Workman while they explore themes of nature, place, and the world around us. This event is part of free gallery admission on Thursday nights.
Make a Scene Immersive Theater Festival
What: Theater & Comedy, Gaming
When: Friday, August 22, through Sunday, August 24
Where: Center for Performing Arts
Make a Scene is a Twin Cities–based scenario festival exploring in-person narrative games and a celebration of creativity. The festival focuses on three main principles: Bringing People Together, Bringing Stories to Life, and Bringing Hearts to Mind. There will be a variety of planned and pick-up-and-play scenarios throughout the event. Weekend registration is closed, however there are limited walk-in spots for $35 per slot. Masking required indoors.
2D Con
What: Gaming, Convention, Music
When: Friday, August 22, through Sunday, August 24
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South
Celebrate all things gaming with 2D Con, an inclusive and charitable gaming event held every summer. This community-driven convention features a wide variety of games and activities, including esports, tabletop games, panels, cosplay, arcade games, musical performances, side quests, industry events, and more. Weekend badges start at $75, with a discount for children under 13.
Viking Round Shield Workshop
What: Educational, Arts
When: Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24
Where: Minnesota Tool Library—Northeast MPLS Branch
Learn how to craft your own 36″ Viking round shield in this two-day seminar. All materials provided. Admission $200, with a discount for MTL members.
Insert Name Zine Fest
What: Comics
When: Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24
Where: Squirrel Haus Arts
The seventh-annual Insert Name Zine Fest will feature special guests David Tea, Sean Knickerbocker, and Trina Fernandez. Admission is free. Event occurs rain or shine.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
What: Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, August 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Hive Collaborative
A Drinking Game Minnesota presents their last show of the summer, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, in their usual format with scripts in hand, toys for props, and a bell to suggest when everyone should imbibe. Admission is $15 and you must be at least 21 years old.
Shieldmaiden Sunday
What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, August 24, 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—The Age of World’s Fairs: Spectacles of Innovation
What: Educational, Science & Technology
When: Monday, August 18, at 5:45 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, art historian Jennie Hirsh discusses the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, commemorating the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage to the Americas. World’s Fairs typically showcase achievements in technology, culture, art and architecture, and the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 is described as “one of the most influential world’s fairs in history.” 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 18, 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!
Gothic Fiction & The Female Writer
What: Books
When: Tuesday, August 19, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event
Explore the surprising links between Gothic novels, the supernatural and feminism. Dr Emma Liggins will present how women writers pushed back against the societal expectations and how they used horror and ghost stories to challenge gender norms. Tickets are about $18 and an event recording will be provided for those that cannot make it during the live stream.
Twin Cities Playtest
What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, August 20, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot and Virtual via YouTube
This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developer’s Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in-person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking. Check out the full details of how to join on the event page.
Twin Cities Geek Art Club
What: Arts
When: Wednesday, August 20, 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 20, 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.
Gaming Thursdays for Teens: Virtual Gaming
What: Gaming
When: Thursday, August 21, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Play board games and video games online with other students in grades 6-12. Must register in advance.
First Friday—Third Thursday QuickRead
What: Books
When: Thursday, August 21, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
A sampling of six different science fiction, fantasy and horror titles featuring women and non-binary authors. Discover new authors and find your next book. Free, but tips accepted.
Jukebox Bingo—“Weird Al”-apalooza edition
What: Music, Trivia
When: Friday, August 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Bingo with a twist, where the numbers on your card are replaced with songs and trivia. This week’s theme is the wide ranging career of “Weird Al.” Tickets are $17.85.
Studio Chillbi!
What: Comics
When: Saturday, August 23, at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event
Join other anime enthusiasts for an anime watch party with fun discussions and quizzes. Free.
Burning Issues Book Club
What: Books
When: Sunday, August 24, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Burning Issues Book Club focuses on non-fiction works related to environmental and social justice topics. This month’s selection is The Heat Will Kill you First by Jeff Goodell, exploring the increasing impacts of excessive heat on humans and the environment. Free.
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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