Last-minute options for Valentine’s Day 2016 include art, movies and lots of food and drink
Valentine’s Day is Sunday, which is probably not the most romantic day of the week. But try to look at the positive side: You have all weekend to attempt to make an impression on your beloved.
Though the calendar is not filled with as many wild-and-romantic options as it was last year, when Valentine’s Day was on a Saturday, if you think creatively, you can still come up with a plan. And if you can’t, here’s a list of weekend events that will help.
For music lovers
At the Cotillion, The Lacs will bring their country/hip-hop hybrid sound on Friday, and tribute band Paramount will fill the hall with 1980s-era music on Saturday night. Those who show up at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday can purchase a special Valentine’s Italian dinner of pasta, salad and garlic toast prepared and served by Nancy’s A-Maize-N Sandwiches. Tickets to both are available at www.thecotillion.com.
And at Old Town bar Mort’s, 923 E. First St., duo Erin & Alan, who also happen to be married, will put their chemistry and musical ability on display during a Friday-night gig. Admission is $2.
For art lovers
Wichita’s BYOB sip-and-paint businesses are inviting would-be artists to paint romantic pictures over the weekend. Pinot’s Pallette has Valentine’s Day-themed sessions at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Each is $35. Paint the Town has Valentine’s sessions open at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 6 p.m. Sunday at its 7011 W. Central location. The classes range from $25 to $35.
The SweetArts Show at Lawrence Photo, 6508 E. Central, opens on Friday with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. It’s a cash-and-carry show with items by local artists, such as jewelry, mixed media, watercolors, photography and more. Around 30 local artists have donated to the show, and items are $200 or less, with many lower price points.
Karg Art Glass at 111 N. Oliver in Kechi is having a Hearts & Love Celebration through Saturday that will allow visitors to blow glass hearts for $37.50 apiece. Pre-made hearts also are available for $35. The event is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Call to make an appointment at 316-744-2442. Walk-ins also are welcome.
Prairie Pines Playhouse, 4055 N. Tyler Road, is offering a Valentine’s weekend murder mystery show that includes a four-course dinner. Tickets to “Wake Me When I’m Dead” are $36.95 to $46.95 depending on choice of entree (prime rib, chicken or vegetarian lasagna). It’s at 6:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For tickets, visit http://prairiepinesplayhouse.com.
The Forum Theatre is closing its run of “Lend Me a Tenor,” a Tony-award winning comedy, this weekend. The final shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday inside the Scottish Rite Center, 332 E. First St. Tickets are $25 for evening shows and $23 for the matinee. Order at www.forumwichita.com.
Eat and drink your feelings
Dinner out is the traditional Valentine’s Day activity for many, and restaurants all over town are offering special meals throughout the weekend. To see who’s doing what, visit the Dining with Denise Facebook page at www.facebook.com/diningwithdenise.
Alefs Harley-Davidson at 5427 Chuzy Drive is putting on its annual Valentine’s Day Chili Cook-off from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors can taste chili for $1 and buy $1 beers. They also can witness the unveiling of a special Valentine’s Day-themed bike at 2:30 p.m. The event will have prize giveaways, too.
Sunday brunches will be bigger for Valentine’s Day at several Wichita restaurants, including the Olive Tree at 2949 N. Rock Road, which will have a special brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, and at Twelve, 12111 W. Maple, which will serve its expanded brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Hungry Family cooking class: Local cooking instructor Natasha Gandhi-Rue still has spaces left for her Sunday couples cooking class, which will allow lovebirds to cook a beef Wellington meal, then enjoy it together. It’s $120 a couple at www.thehungryfamily.com.
Thin Mints and the rest of the Girl Scouts’ cookie flavors officially go on sale on Saturday, so find your favorite Scout, then celebrate your happiness/drown your sorrows in boxes and boxes and boxes of the things.
For movie and TV lovers
Movie producers have filled the theaters with films that will appeal to both lovebirds and singles during the Valentine’s Day weekend. Wichita theaters will be showing both “The Choice,” a romantic tale with a heart-wrenching twist that’s based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, and “How to Be Single,” a new comedy starring Leslie Mann, Rebel Wilson and Dakota Johnson as big-city girls on the prowl.
Sunday night’s television lineup also will be filled with Valentine’s-themed programming. A “Saturday Night Live” collection of the show’s best Valentine’s sketches starts at 7 p.m. on NBC, followed by “The Tonight Show Valentine’s Day Special” at 8 p.m. Also at 7 p.m., ABC will air a look back at its reality series “The Bachelor,” which is celebrating its 20th season. TBS also will be airing the 2010 movie “Valentine’s Day” at 11:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Saturday.
This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Last-minute options for Valentine’s Day 2016 include art, movies and lots of food and drink."