In a sci-fi scene overrun with pessimistic -- often apocalyptic -- visions of humanity's future, Star Trek has illuminated the dystopic darkness for almost 50 years.

Created by Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek is about a space-faring future where humanity has united to explore the universe. Rather than warring over patches of land and squabbling about celebs in internet talkbacks, humanity has devoted ourselves to exploring strange worlds and seeking out new life and civilizations.

Because of that optimism, Star Trek has risen above its cheesier qualities (like alien races distinguished only by their forehead ridges, or Captain Kirk battling a Gorn lizard man) and become a pop-cultural touchstone for people who believe that humanity should aspire to more -- and can achieve amazing things through teamwork.

On Wednesday, director J.J. Abrams's highly anticipated Star Trek: Into Darkness beamed into theaters (in 3-D, the film opens nationwide this Friday), after an ad campaign that highlighted its edgy action and moody color palette. It also disguised its villain's true identity (what a CON!).

As a pre-show Star Trek primer, we've reviewed the new flick's cinematic forebears for you. Classic characters only. Sorry, Picard.
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Artwork by Quyen Dinh

Which one will you choose? (Images via the event's Facebook page)

Listen up, nerds. Saturday is a big day.

In case you weren't aware, this Saturday is May 4. As in, "May the 'fourth' be with you." If you don't understand that last sentence, you should probably just stop reading now. This blog post ain't for you.

As for the rest of us, Saturday is a celebration of all things Star Wars. Each year, this delightful play on words gives super fans a reason to dress up and party like we're in a galaxy far, far away. The dudes over at Minneapolis Tattoo are getting in on the action.

Tomorrow, Jedi, rebels, and Ewoks alike can get inked up with some Star Wars-themed tattoos for just $50-$100 at Minneapolis Tattoo. But before you get Jar Jar Binks burned into your neck, we're helping you to understand what other people are going to think of your new fresh tatt. You're welcome...NERDS! (*takes hit off inhaler)

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Competitors get serious about MarioKart 64. All photos provided by Tipsy Pixels.

My time at Tipsy Pixels crashed and burned on the very first lap of Kalimari Desert, when Princess Peach -- my MarioKart 64 character -- hit a bouncing, roadway-strewn gold bomb and fell out of first.

For nearly an hour, I'd sat amidst an impressively large crowd at Triple Rock Social Club, nursing a Tallgrass 8-Bit through 11 lead-up races. When my turn finally arrived, the three Pixelers beside me hurriedly chose their red-shell-wielding avatars before I could inch my joystick to Yoshi, my standard.
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courtesy Trivia Mafia

One of these teams emerged the Masters of the Universe of Trivia in Minnesota (and $1,000 richer).

On Saturday night, more than 150 trivia champions crowded into the Amsterdam Bar in downtown St. Paul. For five hours, they answered -- or tried to answer -- questions like, "How do you say bear in Hindi?" or, with a picture, "Which TV show is this dog from?" Their brain power was focused on winning the title Masters of the Universe of Trivia in Minnesota, and $1,000 in grand prize money.

See also:
- Trivia Mafia prepares for its 5-year anniversary
- Slideshow: Trivia Mafia at 331 Club
- Trivia Mafia's 5th Anniversary Party


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Tatiana Craine

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival kicked off with a bang last weekend. From elephant rides and knights jousting to giant-ass turkey legs and pottery galore, there was no shortage of things to check out around the festival. It's hard to believe this celebration of olden times has been around for 42 years. To celebrate another fun-filled kickoff to this local favorite, we compiled some of prettiest GIFs from this weekend's festivities.

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Tatiana Craine

There's no shortage of fantastic people watching at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. With half the crowd strutting around in elaborate costumes and makeup, you're sure to keep yourself occupied for at least a few hours. While it's not mandatory to show up in your best Bard-inspired outfit, for many visitors this event is an opportunity to step right into a fantasy world.

Here's how to navigate some of the ladies' fashion trends you can expect to see at the Ren Fest this year, and how to replicate them for your visit to Ye Olde Shakopee.
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Photo courtesy of Nicholas Longtin on Flickr.

Nicholas Longtin's Cat Olympics photo series went viral this week.

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courtesy CoCo

The 40-foot ceilings and former grain trading pit, now outfitted with ottomans, are two signs of the history behind CoCo Minneapolis's new home.

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A new board game birthed in MN

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