Valentine's Day dinner is great, and so are red lingerie, heart shaped boxes of chocolate, and Hallmark cards. But if you're bored to tears with standard Valentine's Day fare, then what? Head to Brooklyn. We've uncovered some funny, funky, unusual, low-key things to do. And, you won't spend a bundle of money, either.
1. Friday Feb 10: Dance Party "Lush" at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Prospect Heights)
Don't miss this "evening of Latin tastes and sounds," with dancing to the aptly named boogaloo band Spanglish Fly, and old 45s spun by a DJ. The luscious guest of honor is mother nature in the form of the Garden’s collection of over 6,000 tropical orchids. Not sure the BBG knows how to throw a party? Think again. Read this review of a recent event at BBG.
Details: BBG Palm House, 1000 Washington Avenue near the Brooklyn Museum, 8 P.M. to midnight. $65. Reservations:Official Website.
2. Saturday Feb 11: Valentine's Collage at Brooklyn Museum (Prospect Hts)
Feeling arty? Join Maura Madden, author of Crafternoon: A Guide to Getting Artsy and Crafty with Your Friends All Year for a collage workshop "inspired by love and Valentine's Day."Details: Brooklyn Museum, Eastern Parkway, at 2 P.M. Fee: Museum admissions plus $15 materials fee. Reservations: www.museumtix.com or at Museum's Visitor Center. Limited free tickets for members on first come, first-served basis.
3. Saturday Feb 11: BAMCafe Life Music Mo Beasley’s "Love Storm" (Fort Greene)
Come to BAM to hear musician Mo Beasley, known among some fans for his hilarious, sexy song "Black Panties," play a Valentine's Day program called Love Storm.Details: BAMcafé. Brooklyn Academy of Music. 30 Lafayette Avenue. No cover, no admission. Happy Hour 6-8 P.M. Music at 9 P.M.
4. Saturday Feb 11: Vegas-style Cabaret at Galapagos (DUMBO)
There's nothing else like this long-running favorite in Brooklyn — including the indoor lake. Go with a date or a group of pals to the Floating Kabarette, a vaguely Vegas-y show that piles on special effects plus trapeze, burlesque, chanteurs, chanteuses, cabaret and variety. .
Details:16 Main Street, DUMBO.Doors open 9:30; show at 10:30. Admission is $20. For reservations, contact Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO.
Details:16 Main Street, DUMBO.Doors open 9:30; show at 10:30. Admission is $20. For reservations, contact Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO.
5. Sunday Feb 12: Beethoven Chamber Music Concert at Bargemusic (DUMBO)
If your honey's a serious musical type, treat him or herself (and yourself, too!) to New York City's only floating chamber music hall, Bargemusic. The barge is located near the Brooklyn Bridge, and affords amazing, romantic views of Manhattan. This weekend there's a real gem of a program: Beethoven Clarinet Trio Opus 11 in B-flat major, Schoenfield Refractions (a New York Premiere), and Brahms Clarinet Trio Opus 114 in A minor.
Details: Bargemusic. at the Fulton Landing in DUMBO. Music at 3 P.M.$35 ($30 senior, $15 student). Reservations required.
Details: Bargemusic. at the Fulton Landing in DUMBO. Music at 3 P.M.$35 ($30 senior, $15 student). Reservations required.
6. Monday Feb 13: 50th Wedding Anniversaries with Marty Markowitz (Mill Basin)
You wouldn't think this could really happen outside a reality TV show, but oldster couples celebrating their 50th anniversaries will gather to be feted by Borough President Marty Markowitz at the El Caribe Country Club in Mill Basin. Some couples will renew their wedding vows and take a spin around the dance floor, and the Boro Prez will hoist a toast. (Note: This event is mostly for the celebrants, but it's too wonderfully old-Brooklyn corny not to mention.)Details: From 1 P.M. to 4 P.M, by invitation only.
7. Tuesday Feb 14: "Missed Connections" Party at NY Transit Museum (Downtown)
The second annual Valentine's party for three hundred or so "underground" types will take place at the NY Transit Museum. Hear NY Times Metro writer Alan Feuer read poems taken from Craig's List's "Missed Connections" posts. And, meet Sophia Blackall, who'll sign copies of her book Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found. It's free, refreshments are provided by Brooklyn Brewery, and the gift shop will be open, too. Stories submitted about love matches made in transit will be read.
Details: NY Transit Museum (Brooklyn) downstairs at the corner of Boerum Pl & Schermerhorn Streets. From 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Free.
Details: NY Transit Museum (Brooklyn) downstairs at the corner of Boerum Pl & Schermerhorn Streets. From 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Free.
8. Tuesday Feb. 14: Free Film "The Big Sleep" at Public Library Dweck Center
At 6:30, catch a free screening of a classic 1946 film. And, it's not just any old film; according to the library, its "starring Humphrey Bogart as detective Philip Marlowe and Lauren Bacall as Mrs. Vivian Rutledge, a woman with a secret. The film is based on Raymond Chandler’s 1939 hard-boiled novel of the same name."Details: Central Library, Dweck Center, at Grand Army Plaza. Free.
9. Tuesday Feb 14: Valentine’s Day Dinner & Movie at BAM Rose Cinemas (Fort Greene)
BAM rarely serves dinner with its movies, but this Valentine's Day they're making an exception. The Rose Cinemas will be two showings of the 1940s classic black-and-white flick The Shop Around the Corner on Valentine's Day. The first screening on Feb 14 is at 6 P.M (no dinner). The dinner and a movie showing is at 8:30 P.M. Reserve in advance.Details: BAM Rose Cinemas. 30 Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene. (718) 777-FILM 545.
10. Tuesday Feb. 14: Storytelling, Dodgers Tales & Chocolate at Bklyn Historical Soc
Feast on Tumbador chocolates and Brooklyn and Bronx Brewery beers in the historic wood-paneled library. Listen as "storytellers, poets, and baseball historians from Brooklyn and the Bronx explore the legendary rivalry and share their borough love stories." Noted guests inculde Brooklyn Dodgers historian Joe Dorinson, Brooklyn storyteller Michele Carlo, Brooklyn poet Knickie D, former Yankees batboy Frank Prudenti, Bronx storyteller Bobby Gonzalez, and Bronx poet Skye Cabrera.
Details: Tickets $15/$10 BHS and The Bronx Museum of the Arts members. Advance purchase recommended.
Details: Tickets $15/$10 BHS and The Bronx Museum of the Arts members. Advance purchase recommended.
