Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, October 31, to Sunday, November 6.
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Virtual Events
Kid Koala: Music to Draw To
What: Music, Meetup
When: Monday, October 31, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Crowdcast
This free virtual version of the long-standing event series in Montreal provides a cozy atmosphere for attendees to make art and work on projects quietly toge12ther with a calm soundtrack of ambient music performed live by Kid Koala.
Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night
What: Trivia
When: Monday, October 31, 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 Radical Agreement Project
What: Comedy & Theater, Educational
When: Tuesday, November 1, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Learn a new improv exercise in this series of 30-minute Zoom improv classes. This event is free, but participation is critical, so attendees will be required to turn on their cameras and microphones to join in.
Minnesota Zoo Virtual Yoga
What: Sports & Fitness
When: Wednesday, November 2, 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: What’s Up?
What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Wednesday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Facebook Live
Learn about current astronomical events and get your space questions answered by staff from the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at the University of Minnesota—Duluth. This virtual session is free.
Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs
What: Movies
When: Wednesday, November 2, 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–The Sounds of Life: Technology Unlocks Nature’s Hidden Realm
What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Thursday, November 3, 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, learn about how new audio technology is being used by scientists to study nature, including uncovering sounds beyond human hearing, regenerating species, building non-human dictionaries, and exploring the impacts of noise pollution on plants and animals. General-admission tickets are $25. Check out the streaming series webpage to see the many other upcoming events this week.
Twin Cities Geek Art Club
What: Arts
When: Thursday, November 3, and Sunday, November 6; 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.
Air and Space Adventures
What: Family, Gaming
When: Saturday, November 5, at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via GooseChase
Join the National Air and Space Museum every month for a free virtual game! This family-friendly game is open for three hours and features a mix of missions, photo challenges, and activities. Players will need to download the free GooseChase app to participate, which is available on both iOS and Android.
In-Person Events
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 [email protected] with your concerns.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
What: Family, Community
When: October 1, through November 5
Where: Minnesota Zoo
This is a chance to explore a trail of artistically carved glowing pumpkins at the Minnesota Zoo. This year’s theme is a “Night at the Library,” and features new artists’ creations. Tickets range from $18–24, and members receive $2 off.
Six: The Musical
What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Thursday, October 27, through Sunday, November 6
Where: Ordway
The wives of Henry VIII bring their stories out of the King’s shadow and give them a pop-diva remix in Six: The Musical. This Tony Award-winning Broadway show features an all-woman cast and band. Tickets start at $60.50.
Twin Cities German Film Festival
What: Movies
When: Thursday, November 3, through Sunday, November 6
Where: The Main Cinema
The first annual Twin Cities German Film Festival will explore the theme of “Reel Women” through six films featuring narratives of women changing lives. Screenings will be at the Main Cinema, formerly the St. Anthony Main. Check out the website for a full list of films and screening times. Individual film tickets are $8–12.
Kate DiCamillo, A Very Mercy Christmas
What: Books, Family
When: Thursday, November 3, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Red Balloon Bookshop
Author Kate DiCamillo will be signing copies of her latest children’s book, A Very Mercy Christmas. Attendees can also get her previous books signed when copies are purchased through Red Balloon Bookshop, including The Tale of Despereaux, Because of Winn-Dixie, and the Mercy Watson series. Tickets are $22.58 (with fees) and include a copy of A Very Mercy Christmas.
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
What: Meetup
When: Thursday, November 3, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Dayton’s Bluff Library
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is here! Hundreds of thousands of people around the world have taken up the challenge to write 50,000 words in just one short month. Are you one of them? This weekly meet-up invites local NaNoWriMo participants of all ages out for an evening of writing and camaraderie.
Sci-Fi Book Club
What: Books
When: Thursday, November 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Nokomis Library
The Nokomis Branch of the Hennepin County Library hosts a monthly science-fiction book club where patrons discuss new and interesting sci fi. Lending copies of the books can be picked up at the information desk of the library. For November, the club will discuss The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield. See the event listing for upcoming titles.
Reverend Matt’s Monster Science: Kill You as Soon as Look at You
What: Comedy & Theater, Educational, Family
When: Thursday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bryant Lake Bowl
Reverend Matt’s Monster Science, a recurring comedic lecture series with a focus on monsters, returns this month to take a close look at the creatures who can kill with just a glance including Medusa, basilisks, and Baba Yaga. Tickets are $12.
University of Minnesota Writers Series: Eloisa Amezcua and Tracy K. Smith Reading
What: Books
When: Friday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota
Every fall, the University of Minnesota hosts a series of free readings and talks from award-winning writers, poets, and graphic novelists. This week features readings from Eloisa Amezcua and Tracy K. Smith. Amezcua is an award-winning poet and author of Fighting Is Like a Wife and From the Inside Quietly. Smith is a Pulitzer Prize recipient and author of Life on Mars, Wade in the Water, Duende, and more. To see other upcoming events in the series, head over to the university’s English department website.
Spektral Quartet: Enigma: A 360° Experience
What: Music
When: Friday, November 4, and Saturday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Where: Bell Museum
The Grammy-nominated Spektral Quartet is bringing their new audio-visual concert, Enigma: A 360° Experience, to the Bell Museum. The performance will feature music from Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, along with immersive visuals by Sigurður Guðjónsson playing on all 360-degrees of the museum’s planetarium. Tickets are $33.50.
Free First Saturday: Offerings
What: Arts, Community, Family
When: Saturday, November 5, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Walker Art Center
Celebrate art and community on the first Saturday of every month with free gallery admission and special events at the Walker Art Center. This month’s theme is “Offerings,” which will include Día de los Muertos art activities, a scavenger hunt, screenings of the short film For Estefani, Third Grade, Who Made Me a Card, and a reading of From the Top of the Trees with author Kao Kalia Yang.
Spotlight Science: Brain Power
What: Science & Tech
When: Saturday, November 5, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Bell Museum
Spotlight Science is an event series that brings the current science happening at the University of Minnesota to the community through interactive experiences and special guests. This month’s topic is all about brains, featuring activities that explore their functions, how they change, and the impacts of brain injuries and addiction. There will also be planetarium screenings of the animated film Mysteries of Your Brain. This event is included with regular admission; adult general admission is $12 and there are multiple offerings for reduced rates.
Drawn to Nature!
What: Arts
When: Saturday, November 5, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park
Head over to Fort Snelling State Park for an afternoon of nature sketching! A naturalist will be on site to point attendees toward picturesque areas of the park. Check out the event calendar on the Department of Natural Resources website for more outdoor events in state parks throughout Minnesota.
Funlab: STEAM for Ages 7–11
What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Saturday, November 5, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Dayton’s Bluff Library
FunLab is an event for kids 7–11 to learn STEAM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) principles through fun in a drop-in session with crafts, games, projects, experiments, and movies. The event is free, and will serve kids so long as supplies last.
Shieldmaiden Sunday
What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, November 6, 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!
The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society
What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, November 6, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bryant Lake Bowl
Enjoy a night of horror, comedy, and suspense in the style of a vintage radio broadcast, including old-time commercials and sound effects. Programming will include The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Smee, and Runestones are a Girl’s Best Friend performed by Joshua English Scrimshaw, Shanan Custer, Eric Webster, and Tim Uren. Tickets are $18.
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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!