Let’s face it: Not all of us are the dinner-and-a-movie type. Some of us are, well, dorks. Also geeks, dweebs, weirdos, and — we’re just saying — occasionally sarcastic and self-deprecating. Somehow, though, we still find people who love us.
This Valentine’s Day, here are a few less-than-traditional dates ideas for whatever type of dork you hold in your heart.
For Music Lovers
Listen, not everyone’s idea of aural romance is smooth jazz or piano sonatas. Some of us love early 2000s alternative rock. If you think that describes you, Lifehouse will be playing a special Valentine’s fundraiser at the nearby Ridgefield Playhouse. Your $135 tickets help fund the Playhouse and include a free glass of Champagne at 6:30 p.m. with desserts, followed by a live benefit auction and the concert at 8 p.m.
For something a bit more intimate, local theater company Chill Bucket Productions is returning with Love Is…, its annual Valentine’s cabaret, also at 8 p.m. in Scarsdale. The evening features 14 local vocalists who will regale the audience with songs and stories that help them define love in all its forms from family and friendship to romance. Tickets start at $35 and include wine and other refreshments.
For the Theater Nerds
This year has a couple of fun options for anyone who prefers spoken word. For a side-splitting evening, the Bedford Playhouse will be presenting He Said, She Said, She Said, He Said at 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 13. The all-new show features stand-up from comedians Liz Miele, Frank Vignola, Leighann Lord, and Shaun Eli Tickets start at $30.
Yorktown’s Axial Theatre will be performing its annual Twisted Valentines whit a twist this year: The show’s eight original one-act plays have all been tailor made for the season, centering on short vignettes of the hilarious comings and goings at the romantic “Il Ristorante di Bruno” on the holiday in question. Performances are available at 8 p.m. on February 13 and 14, 5 p.m. on February 15, and 4 p.m. on February 16. The Saturday showing is also followed by Twisted Prom, sort of a punked-out version of a holiday dance! Tickets start at $20.
For the Animal Lovers
Love getting huge stuffed animals on V-Day? Love puppies? How about seeing some huge murder-puppies? That’s basically what you get with Lobo Love: Valentine’s Day Party with Wolves at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem. For $15 ($12 for kids younger than 12), learn all about the history, mythology, and biological importance of New York’s native wolf populations. Guests will also make some particularly lupine Valentines to give to the center’s Ambassador Wolves Alawa, Nikai, and Zephyr. Enjoy some hot beverages, meet the ambassadors and their red wolf counterparts, and more!
For the Spooky Kids
Between the decapitated saints, longing verse, and Pagan traditions, Valentine’s Day might actually be the goth-est holiday on the calendar. It’s still a bit chilly and damp, but what better way to really feel the loving embrace of death’s cold chill than a delightful graveyard stroll on this bleakest of saintly days? Westchester is home to many beautiful, historic cemeteries, perfect for a picnic, photo shoot, or just leaving flowers for all the happy couples buried there. Maybe pick out a nice spot and buy a couple plots in advance, like my grandparents did.
For the Do-It-Yourselfers
We previewed this one in our weekly events roundup but it’s more than worth noting again: Laser Cutting With Glowforge at The Rye Arts Center will let you indelibly mark your love with a pendant or pin … with lasers! Guests can use CAD designs to laser-cut V-Day themed keepsakes for their loved ones with instructor Nicole Zahour. Registration is $25 and includes all materials.
For the Painfully Single
Or for the ethically non-monogamous, we’re not judging. The important thing is that while the rest of the world is hunkering down trying to couple-up, some of us are trying to get out, meet someone new, and not sit bitter and alone on our couch, swiping idly through Tinder as the cat silently judges us from the coffee table.
Ron Blacks Beer Hall in White Plains is hosting a Valentine’s Day Singles Party starting at 7 p.m. on Friday. The crowd is sticking to the 20-40 demographic with music at a reasonable level for making conversation. If you’re struggling for a foothold, icebreakers with prizes are on the docket, as are $5 and $6 drink specials if you’re feeling a bit tongue-tied and $2.50 small bites if you’re feeling puckish. Tickets are $15 online only.
Nearby, also starting at 7 p.m., The Loft LGBT Community Center is hosting a free Valentine’s Day Social. Local Kickstarter-funded company Queery will be on hand with its card game “Just Love,” all-levels dance lessons will run from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Valentine’s crafts will be available throughout, as will reiki master, intuitive, and tarot reader Zoe Flowers!