Valentine’s Day has long conjured pink-hued imagery of chocolate, wine and elegant dinners. But whether you’re single or taken, these Queen City events offer experiences that go beyond the classic dinner-and-a-movie equation.
Love in Your Backyard
Learn about the birds and the bees this V-Day. Literally. As you stroll through Krohn Conservatory at night surrounded by lush foliage, staff will share intimate details regarding rainforest and desert wildlife reproduction. Honestly, what better way is there to get in the mood for love? Program fee includes two drink tickets and a small plate of light bites. Interested? Make sure you register before Feb. 4. 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. $25 per person; $40 per couple. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mt. Adams, cincinnatiparks.com/krohn.
Loveapalooza at Know Theatre
If you’re looking for something non-traditional to do this Feb. 14, head to Know Theatre’s Valentine’s Day party where there will be “drag queens, speed-friending, love-themed improv, cheeky craft cocktails, lite bites and so much more.” The admission fee enters you into the night’s raffle for a chance to win prizes and also gives you access to the theater’s silent auction. The night is full of chances for you to feel the love. Or not. Presented with The Cincinnati Sisters and OTRImprov. 7-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. $15 per person. Know Theatre of Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/knowtheatre.
Valentine Beetles Mounting Date
Calling all love bugs: Name an activity more romantic than pinning beetles to a mounting pad while eating cheese and sipping wine. Hosted at Covington-based oddities shop Hail Dark Aesthetics and led by group Meddling with Nature, this two-hour date will guide you (and your partner) through the techniques of preserving and mounting a pair of red velvety beetles, aka Fornassinus russus. You’ll be able to leave the shop with these freshly-mounted beetles in whatever way you wish to pin them. If you’re single or your relationship is more of a love triangle, you can also go solo or add an additional ticket. (They have plenty of dead critters to go around.) 8-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. Couples tickets $100; solo $90; additional $55. Hail Dark Aesthetics, 720 Main St., Covington, facebook.com.
Special Couples Open Wheel at Queen City Clay
Make like Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in Ghost and get ya’ hands all up in some wet, wet clay with someone you love, lust after or even hate this Valentine’s Day. Queen City Clay is hosting a special couples open wheel event where you can spin your own pottery while nibbling on some chocolate and sipping on some fine wine. It’s a sexy, slightly dirty evening for two. Ghost will of course be playing in the background for you and your partner to watch. 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. $75 per couple. Queen City Clay, 3130 Wasson Road, Hyde Park, facebook.com/queencityclay.
Stupid Cupid: Anti-Valentine’s Day Event
No love songs will be heard at Main Event Speakeasy on Valentine’s Day. As stated on their Facebook event page, Stupid Cupid is for anyone “too queer, poly, asexual or single to enjoy the holiday.” Drag queen performers/entertainers include Jessica Dimon, Misty Phoenix and The Cincinnati Sisters. And if you find the holiday’s capitalist aspects tiresome, all the money raised from tips, raffle prizes and donations will go toward Caracole, Inc.’s free mobile HIV testing and their prevention/education program. 8-10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. Free admission. Main Event Speakeasy, 835 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com.
This article appears in Jan 22 – Feb 4, 2020.