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Always remember to add masks.
(Photo: Fernando Eleazar Armeaga / EyeEm) |
1. Catch a comedic musical.
Impress your date by having a song written about them on the spot. At Your Love, Our Musical improvisers Rebecca Vigil and Evan Kaufman interview a couple from the audience then turn their love story into a sweeping love song. It happens twice on Valentine's Day at Caveat, at 6:30 and 9 p.m.
2. Visit a dirty circus.
Spend all night at the House of Yes, first with its aerialists-and-everything Dirty Circus: Hot Mess Love variety show, then later with the F Love dance party, where all are welcome to get love tarot read and, if needed, kissing lessons. Can’t hurt to get tips.
3. Party for a cause.
Show love to folks who deserve it at the fifth annual Valentine’s Day Village of Love concert and dance at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, with all proceeds going toward Planned Parenthood. Comedy by Aparna Nancherla, an after-midnight dance party by Jonathan Toubin, and performers including the Lemon Twigs, Shilpa Ray, Kendra Morris, and Bush Tetras will make it a night to remember.
4. See some tassel-swingin’ burlesque.
Every day is Valentine’s Day at a Wasabassco burlesque show, but at the House of Deveraux: Valentine’s Day Special, you’ll get nine “sinful” acts before you go commit some sins of your very own. With Amanda Whip, Nasty Canasta, Angie Pontani, and more.
5. Weep at the greatest romance of all time.
Peter Martins’s staging of Romeo and Juliet begins this week at Lincoln Center, and there are still tickets available for Wednesday. Choose wisely with this one: It might put your actual romance to shame.
6. Watch people get hooked up.
Entertaining for all configurations of relationships is the Tinder Live! Valentine’s Day Special. Comedians Jon Friedman, Aparna Nancherla, and Sally Kohn join host Lane Moore to help people find love, on this most sacred of fake holidays. It’s sold out, but fan tickets may become available.
7. Have a literary liaison.
Debut author Leslie Cohen celebrates the publication of her new rom-com novel This Love Story Will Self-Destruct, about the parallel lives of Ben and Eve, who just keep missing each other until one eventful day. It goes down at McNally Jackson.
8. Be crooned to.
It’s just smooth vocals and piano keys when jazzy singer-songwriter Peter Cincotti soundtracks your amour in the solo show A Night of Love Songs at the Iridium.
9. See sparks fly.
It’s technically for the Lunar New Year, but the free Fireworks Spectacular over the Hudson River at Pier 84 can easily symbolize the fireworks in your relationship. Just add chocolate.
10. Sway along to the Smiths.
You don’t have to be a lonely heart to enjoy Morrissey & Co. (though it enhances the experience). Everyone can bop to Unloveable: Valentine’s Day With the Smiths, a concert from the tribute band the Sons & Heirs. Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield hosts.
11. Show appreciation for art.
With art comes passion, and there'll be plenty at this Valentine's Day art tour at MoMA. Begin with a candlelit wine reception before a group tour with an art historian, where you'll touch on permanent-collection items by Van Gogh, Matisse, and Warhol, as well as the exhibition The Long Run, with works by Louise Bourgeois, Frank Stella, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jasper Johns, and others. There are two opportunities, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
12. Get knowledgeable about the good stuff.
Don’t just drink Champagne, learn about it in this All About Bubbly class at Corkbuzz. You'll get to taste, of course, but you'll also leave knowing the difference between a blanc de blanc and a blanc de noir, among other things. When you do, report back and let us know what that is. Happy Valentine's Day!