We'll call it "hearts and arts."
With Valentine's Day falling on a Saturday this year, there is a chance to do more than grab a quick lunch downtown or rush through an evening meal at a local restaurant. There is time, for instance, to wrap a Valentine dinner and romantic weekend getawaywith an arts event in an area town.
Some favorite weekend destinations — Lanesboro, Red Wing, Northfield, Winona— have arts on the calendar this Valentine's Day. Mix in some flowers and suddenly you're looking like someone who actually plans these things.And have you noticed how cheap gas is these days?
So, if the weather holds (it is still February in Minnesota, after all) we're thinking you might want to escape to Winona, for instance, where the Great River Shakespeare Festival and Minnesota Marine Art Museum are putting on a Valentine's Bash at the museum, 800 Riverview Drive. The event includes live music, words of love presented by actors and poets, open galleries at the museum, food, drink and good cheer. Tickets are $30, online at www.mmam.org/shop . The festivities start at 6 p.m.
Other arts-related events Saturday in the region:
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— "The Belle of Amherst,"a one-woman play about poet Emily Dickinson, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the St. Mane Theatre , 206 Parkway Ave. N, Lanesboro. Catherine Glynn, from the Commonweal Theatre, portrays Dickinson. Tickets are $18, at 507-467-2446.
— The New Standards, who can mix pop and jazz into a romantic musical mood, will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sheldon Theatre , 443 W. Third St., Red Wing. Tickets are $17.50 and $11.50 in advance; 651-388-8700.
— There's always plenty going on, arts-wise, in Northfield. This Valentine's weekend, stop in and check out "Botanical Transcience,"ceramic art by Juliane Shibata, at the Northfield Arts Guild , 304 Division St. S. Meanwhile, the St. Olaf College Orchestra will present a concert at 3:30 p.m. in Skoglund Center on campus.
Other Valentine's Day activities:
Friday
Dancing
Valentine Salsa Dance, Blue Moon Ballroom , 2030 Hwy. 14 East, Rochester. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Come out and dance the salsa, bachata, cumbia, merengue, cha-cha and reggueton. Lessons start at 7:30 p.m. Dancing runs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Valentines Dance, Rochester Senior Center , 121 N. Broadway, Rochester. 7 p.m. Come out and listen to The Rochester Big Band, a 14-piece swing and Latin Band, which plays 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's music. The night will be filled with Latin tunes, a few waltzes and polkas that are sure to make everyone get up and dance.
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Events
Valentine's Candlelight Ski, Quarry Hill Nature Center , 701 Silver Creek Road NE, Rochester. 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults ($15 for members). On Friday night come ski through the forest by candlelight. Sweets and champagne served by a crackling fire afterward. Equipment is provided. Alternate activities are available in the case of poor trail conditions.
Food
Hubbell House , Valentine's Day menu, with Hubbell Prime Rib ($26.99), Steak and Lobster ($29.99), Lobster ($32.99), Lobster Seafood Alfredo ($25.99), Broiled Walleye Pike ($21.99). Prices available from 4 p.m. to close on Friday and Saturday.
Saturday
Music
Radoslav Lorkovic, Oak Center General Store , U.S. 63, Oak Center. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 to $15, pay what you afford. Lorkovic is a classically trained folk and blues musician, known in particular for his flair on the piano and accordion.
Robby Vee Band, State Theatre , 96 E. Fourth St., Zumbrota. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 on the day of show. The Robby Vee Band will perform a show titled "True Love Ways: A Valentine's Day Concert." The Robby Vee Band plays rockabilly music.
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"A Singing Valentine," Rochester International Events Center , 7333 Airport View Drive SW, Rochester. The concert starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100. The concert is the Choral Arts Ensemble's annual benefit. Along with the show, there will be a dinner, concert and auction.
Musical Valentines, Minnesota SkyVault Theatre Co, 14th Street SW, Rochester. The show starts at 9 a.m., and tickets start at $60. Valentine songs and serenades performed by Minnesota SkyVault Theatre Co., available anywhere, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Holy Spirit, Pax Christi parishes host Valentine's Day's Women's Lenten Retreat from 8:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 5455 50th Ave. NW, Rochester; Sister Ramona Miller ("God's Love Nurtures Us.") will be the speaker. There will be mass at 10:30 a.m.
Dancing
USA Dance: Valentine's Dance, The Castle , 121 Broadway Ave. N, Rochester. Formal Doors open at 7 p.m., with the dance floor open from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $8 members and $10 non-members ($5 for students under 25 with student ID).
Events
MedCity Mafia Roller Derby vs. Dakota City Demolition Crew, Mayo Civic Center , 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester. The action starts at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $8 to $12. Come celebrate Valentine's Day with MedCity Mafia Roller Derby. Doors open at 6.
Date Nite with Paint Nite, Mayo Civic Center Exhibit Hall , 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. For ages 21 and older. Paint Nite Minneapolis master artist Ashley Erickson, a native of Rochester, will help you create a 16x20-inch acrylic masterpiece. "A Valentine Stroll" can be completed as a solo painting or a partner painting. All supplies provided.
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Valentine's Bash, Minnesota Marine Art Museum , 800 Riverview Drive, Winona. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30. Live music, scenes by Great River Shakespeare Festival, outdoor ice bar, candlelight art walk, live and silent auctions.
