Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, April 24, to Sunday, April 30.
Virtual Events
Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night
What: Trivia
When: Monday, April 24, 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! Watch for other Monday-night virtual pub-trivia events going forward.
The Mary Jo Pehl Show Presents: Pictionary
What: Movies
When: Tuesday, April 25, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch
Join Mystery Science Theater 3000’s Mary Jo Pehl for a monthly comedy-variety show, this month featuring Mary and Chris in a few rounds of Pictionary. This event is available for Mary Jo Pehl Show Clubhouse subscribers, which starts at $1 per month.
Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga
What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, April 26, at 7:45 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Start your morning with yoga at the zoo! Each week, the instructor teaches a yoga routine live from exhibits around the zoo. These classes are appropriate for both beginners and experienced yogis. Each class is $8 for nonmembers, with reduced rates available for zoo members or when registering for multiple classes at the same time. Sessions are recorded and available to view during the week for those who are unable to tune in live.
Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium Live Stream: Beginner’s Guide to Telescopes
What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live
The Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at the University of Minnesota Duluth presents a Beginner’s Guide to Telescopes, which is a great chance to learn about these devices that have enabled so much astronomy and wonder.
Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs
What: Movies
When: Wednesday, April 26, 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.
Queer Voices Writing Circles
What: Community
When: Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
The Queer Voices Writing Circles is a free series of drop-in writing sessions hosted by the Hennepin County Library. Each session will feature a guest facilitator who will lead the group through a writing prompt, followed by time for open writing and sharing created works. Writers of all skill levels are welcome to join.
Zoom Q&A: Brent Weeks
What: Books
When: Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Celebrate the release of Brent Weeks’s widely anticipated new novel Night Angel Nemesis with this Q&A event hosted by the Signed Page and moderated by Shawn Speakman. This event is free, and does not require book purchase, but there are links in the event for personalized or signed copies of the book.
Tying Mythic Knots with John Bucher
What: Educational
When: Thursday, April 27, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
This series from Atlas Obscura is dedicated to the ancient technology of knots, and the mythology and spiritual practices from all around the globe focused on knots. This first session is focused on Magic, Mnemonic, and Mesoamerican Knots. There are three events in this series, repeating on 5/4 and 5/11. Tickets are $55–85 prior to any taxes or fees.
Twin Cities Geek Art Club
What: Arts
When: Thursday, April 27, and Sunday, April 30; at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord
The Twin Cities Geek art club meets every Thursday evening 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. You can join by visiting twincitiesgeek.com/discord.
Smithsonian Associates Streaming–Let’s Tell Our Tales: Personal Storybooks
What: Educational, Arts
When: Friday, April 28, 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. In the Let’s Tell Our Tales: Personal Storybooks series, Sushmita Mazumdar will lead the class through a variety of art styles and book-making techniques to make extremely personal storybooks. Tickets for this event are $115. Check out the event listing for future events in the series, as well as the streaming-series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.
Friday Night Comics Workshops
What: Comics
When: Friday, April 28, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Join the Sequential Arts Workshop community and a guest artist every Friday night for a virtual comics-making workshop. This event is free and open to all skill levels. While geared towards adults, kids and teens are welcome to join with a parent. Participants are encouraged to share their workshop creations with the group or on social media.
Please note: Due to the risks from the ongoing pandemic, we urge all readers to take appropriate safety measures when choosing to attend in-person events, such as masking, physical distancing, and frequent handwashing. We also urge all eligible Minnesotans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to wear a mask in indoor settings even if vaccinated. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, please get tested and follow Minnesota state guidelines on isolating from others. See our COVID-19 resources page for more information on vaccination, health and safety, financial and other assistance, and more.
While government and business policies change frequently and we cannot guarantee the safety of anyone attending an event we are not affiliated with, we do avoid featuring organizers or venues we believe to be following unsafe practices. If you feel something in this column does not meet those criteria, we encourage you to contact us at info@twincitiesgeek.com with your concerns.
Immersive Disney Animation
What: Movies, Family
When: Monday, April 3, through Sunday, June 18
Where: Lighthouse Immersive Studios
Be surrounded by the art and music of Disney’s animated worlds at this immersive, walk-through experience. See scenes from Disney favorites like The Lion King, Encanto, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid projected on the massive walls accompanied by audio and some interactive elements, like bubbles to simulate being under the sea. The experience also features installations exploring the processes behind making the films, like storyboarding, real-life geographic inspirations, and animation effects. Individual tickets start at $28 and discounted rates are available for family and group packs.
Hamilton
What: Theater & Comedy
When: Tuesday, April 4, through Saturday, May 6
Where: Orpheum Theatre
The smash Broadway hit Hamilton is bringing its hip-hop infused story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton to the Twin Cities. While tickets may be hard to come by for this popular show, there is a weekly lottery drawing that folks can enter through the show’s official app for the opportunity to buy $10 reserved tickets.
42nd Annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
What: Movies
When: Thursday, April 13, through Thursday, April 27
Where: Various venues
Come experience the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. Film geeks take heed: there may be screenings that interest you here, including Cue the Strings: A Film About Low and much more. See the website for detailed screening and ticketing information.
Commander Evenings
What: Gaming
When: Monday, April 24, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Badwolf Adventure Studios
Come on down for a free night of Magic: The Gathering played in the Commander style. Players may optionally enter a prize pool for store credit.
A Sleight of Shadows Book Release with Author Kat Howard
What: Books
When: Tuesday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Next Chapter Booksellers
Join St. Paul author Kat Howard for an event celebrating the release of A Sleight of Shadows, a return to the award-winning world begun in An Unkindness of Magicians, following tales of a secret society of power hungry magicians in New York City. Kat Howard is a World Fantasy Award finalist.
Emma Norton Opening Doors Gala
What: Community, Nightlife
When: Thursday, April 27, at 4:30 p.m. (silent auction) and 6:00 p.m. for the gala
Where: Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront Hotel
This fundraising event aims to raise $125,000 dollars for Emma Norton Programs (which provide housing, support, and healing services to women, individuals, and families in transition). Expect fabulous food, entertainment, and testimonials. This event will be hosted by Twin Cities artist, poet, director, playwright, and community leader Shá Cage. She most recently directed African School Girls at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis. Tickets run from $100 to $1000.
Maker Adult
What: Arts, Science & Tech
When: Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Ramsey County Library—Roseville
Take your creative endeavors to the next level with the Roseville library’s maker tools on Fridays and Saturdays. Available equipment includes a MakerBot Replicator+ 3D printer, Brother sewing machine, Silhouette Cameo cutting machine, and digitization converters for physical media like photo negatives and VHS tapes. Laptops are also available with the software needed for the equipment, as well as Corel photo and video editing software. Use of the equipment is free and is available through a mix of prior reservations and a first-come, first-served basis. There are limited physical materials, like filament, cloth, and vinyl, available for learning, so plan to bring your own for any projects. Check out the Maker Adult page for more information.
Independent Bookstore Day
What: Books
When: Saturday, April 29
Where: Various Bookstores
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day, a one-day national party devoted to indie bookstores, taking place at myriad indie bookshops across the country. Watch for Twin Cities Geek‘s annual guide to what’s happening at Minnesota bookstores.
Cars and Caves
What: Science & Tech, Family
When: Saturday, April 29, at 9:00 a.m.
Where: Chanhassen Autoplex
Car geeks, this is your chance to see a wide variety of classic cars at the Chanhassen Autoplex. This is a free and family-friendly event! Check the website for monthly theme car shows.
Epicure: One Bite at a Time
What: Food & Drink, Nightlife
When: Saturday, April 29, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Channel One Regional Food Bank
Eat, drink, and dance for a good cause with cuisine from different cultures and epicurean bites from around 20 restaurants. Tickets are $150 and going fast. This fundraising event is hosted by the Channel One Regional Food Bank.
Shieldmaiden Sunday
What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, April 30, 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!
NaturalistsToo Bookclub
What: Books
When: Sunday, April 30, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: The Thinking Spot (Wayzata)
Join the NaturalistsToo book club at the Thinking Spot in Wayzata for monthly book discussions focused on nature. April’s book is Beaverland, and will be followed by Owls of the Eastern Ice in May. See the page for other book clubs.
Fire & Nice Game Night
What: Gaming, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, April 30, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Fire & Nice
Come on down to Fire & Nice every Sunday for board games, pizza, and beer. The Twin Cities Board Game Group sets up every Sunday for a community game night, with many games available. Guests are also welcome to bring their own favorites—just walk in, grab a seat, and game!
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!
