Something Different
Cool Cleveland's Valentine's Guide 2010
Valentine's Day is an infamous holiday, where the ladies in relationships love to be whisked off on surprise romantic evenings, the guys in relationships are putting off looking for something and panicking over a lack of "romantic" ideas, and the singles are either feeling sad without a valentine or railing against the holiday at "down with love" parties.
Here at Cool Cleveland, we think there's something for everyone this Valentine's Day. Check out our guide to some unexpected, unique and fun ways to spend your Valentine's Day (or evening) in Cleveland.
My Breakfast Valentine
Whether you have kids or you're a kid at heart, the Children's Museum of Cleveland has a great V-Day event just for you! Mom and Dad might be able to relax at the end of a long weekend with a romantic glass of wine on Valentine's Day, but here's a chance for the whole family to share the love. The Children's Museum presents a Sweetheart Waffles Family Workshop on Sat. 2/13 with two sessions, one from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. and a second from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The Waffles Workshop is $7.00 in addition to museum admission, and includes waffles and lots of fun toppings. And, though this event sounds family focused, imagine bringing your significant other for a special breakfast - kid style! For more information and to register, call (216)-791-7114 or visit http://www.ClevelandChildrensMuseum.org. The Secret Life of Vegetables
Who says vegetables can't be sexy? Spark a romance at The Culinary Vegetable Institute on Sat. 2/13 at 6:30 p.m. (reservations required) on State Route 13 in Milan, Ohio. The menu includes everything from Black Truffles and Roasted Baby Beets to Winter Squash Ravioli and Sweet Potato Custard. And, don't fret meat eaters, the menu also includes Warm Arctic Char and Beef Short Rib Pot au Feu for the carnivores. The menu will be prepared by Chef Bradford Thompson, winner of the Food and Wine award for best in chef in 2004 and the James Beard award for "Best Chef in the Southwest" in 2006. Click here (http://www.culinaryvegetableinstitute.com/cvi_cms/Valentines-Dinner.html) and make your Valentine's Day especially tasty with a gourmet medley of veggies.
A Magical Valentine's
Spend an "Evening in the Enchanted Cathedral," on Sat. 2/13 from 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. with the Near West Theatre Family. Near West Theatre is an amazing grassroots, intergenerational theatre with an emphasis on serving the youth on the Near West Side and throughout Cleveland. The theatre has an incredible impact on the lives it touches - and so can you - by attending their 2010 benefit, this Valentine's Day Weekend. The evening will feature a brief performance by the talented actors of NWT, dancing, drinks, delicious hors d'oeuvres and decadent desserts. Purchase keys to a treasure chest to win an enchanted experience for two that includes travel, dining and entertainment or bid on awesome local products during the one-of-a-kind auction. While not technically a "valentine's event," the evening promises to bring you and your date closer together through the power of theatre and philanthropy. The event takes place at Trinity Cathedral at 2230 Euclid Ave. For more information, visit http://www.NearWestTheatre.org or call 216-961- 6391.
Cupid's Curse
Every Valentine's Day there is a handful of people who want to stand up and shout "Love Stinks!" If that's you, Suite Sixx in the Warehouse District on W 6th is throwing the ultimate bash! The "Cupid's Curse, Love Stinks... Let's Drink" party kicks off on Fri 2/12 at 9:00 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by "It's Just Lunch," a Cleveland dating service for professionals, and features no cover, singles games, $100 prize for pose with "Drunk Cupid," a "shred your ex station," where singles can shred photos of their ex and an open bar from 9-10 p.m. sponsored by Skyy. With great prizes, fun activities, and lots of cute singles, maybe next Valentine's won't be so cursed! See more event details here (http://cleveland.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/music_bar/cupids-curse-love-stinks-warehouse-district/1717599/content).
A Clandestine Rendezvous
So you're single on Valentine's Day. Then you're in luck! There's a Secret "Exclusive" Rendezvous for professional singles happening in Cleveland on Sat 2/13. To keep the event especially mysterious, the organizers, Gen Next Entertainment, is keeping the "Secret Rendezvous Valentine's Day Ball" location under strict wraps! The party caters to business-professional singles that are ages 24-50. The event will include food, drink, prizes, music and more. We'd like to tell you more, but it's a secret! Check out the event website and see if you make the list at http://www.gennextent.com.
My Funny Valentine
Pickwick and Frolic is hosting a "Sweet and not-so-Innocent" Valentine's party for couples who want to live on the edge, or for singles who want to spend the night giggling and guffawing with their friends. The dinner and show package features an impressive buffet dinner, preferred seating for the evening's comedy show, sparkling wine and chocolates and a live dinner performance featuring the music of Sinatra's Vegas. After dinner, head to Hilarities for "The Not So Innocent Jim Jeffries." Billed as "not for the easily offended," Jeffries has a brash and confrontational style that creates big laughs and a few gasps as well. The dinner/comedy package is available both Sat 2/13 & Sun 2/14 with a 5:30 p.m. seating and an 8:15 p.m. seating. Click here (http://www.pickwickandfrolic.com/Pickwick/specialevents.html) for more information and to make a reservation. Valentine's? Nevermind...
So, you really do hate Valentine's Day and think it's a candy-company holiday. But, your significant other wants to be treated to an evening of fun. Well, we just have one question: how do you feel about Mardi Gras? The North Coast Men's chorus is hosting a Mardi Gras party and benefit on Sat. 2/13 from 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. at Windows on the River, 2000 Sycamore Street at the Powerhouse. The party includes a performance by the Men's Chorus, an authentic Mardi Gras Menu, a silent auction, costume contest, fun games and more! Spend Valentine's weekend collecting beads and dancing to the music, and skip the whole roses and chocolates conventions that just don't ring true to you. Learn more at http://www.ncmchorus.org/mardigras.html.
A Valentine For Everyone
If our list of fun, unique Valentine's events didn't whet your appetite for romance, check out Positively Cleveland's extensive list of Cleveland Valentine's celebrations. Many Cleveland restaurants are offering specialty menus and gourmet packages to make your evening perfection. You're sure to find something to make your V-Day special, fun, exciting or just downright romantic! http://www.positivelycleveland.com/microsites/valentines
Julie Cajigas is a Cleveland girl who grew up on the East & West Side and now lives near Akron – she’s got the whole town covered! Cajigas holds degrees in Communication & Music from Cleveland State University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Communication at CSU. She is a professional freelance writer who occasionally writes in her blog in between gigs at http://www.inspiredfreelancer.com. Cajigas is also an avid musician and can be seen performing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and as a violinist in the Allison Bencar band, http://www.myspace.com/allisonbencar.