On Our Radar: Valentines Edition

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 10, 2012 7:40PM

Whether you're in a relationship or not, here are a few events leading up to Valentine's Day you might want to keep your eye on.

Duets for My Valentine

Chicago Dance Crash has a big season coming up as they celebrate their 10th anniversary and welcome a new artistic director, but first they get warmed up with Duets for My Valentine this Saturday at Athenaeum Theatre. Presented in tandem with Bread and Roses Productions, Duets is an annual dance production featuring, you guessed it, romantic duets from some of Chicago’s most celebrated ballet, contemporary and hip hop companies. Hosted by the always outrageous Mattrick Swayze, there’s a little something for everyone whether you’ve already been hit by cupid or are looking to mingle after the show.

February 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

-Michelle Meywes

2nd Story & Black Belles

Chicago Reader and 2nd Story are making some tart lemonade out of Valentine’s Day sour despair. The line-up includes your hosts Seth and Kellen, a hysterical comedy duo, and the members of 2nd Story brightening your Hallmark Holiday with horror stories from their own dating experience. The show closes with a performance from goth sweethearts, The Black Belles. Seth and Kellen promise to destroy any trinkets you might bring from past relationships. And, on the brighter side, you can buy a $2 valentine for someone at the show and a member of the Windy City Rollers will skate it over to the lucky guy or gal (and all proceeds go to a good cause). Snatch up tickets as fast as you can, because the first 150 Valentine’s-Day-haters to do so will get a free glass of champagne from a Roller girl and gift bag from the Pleasure Chest.

February 14 at The Logan Square Auditorium, 7 p.m., tickets can be bought for $14 here.

-Maggie Hellwig

Gapers Block Valentines Dance-A-Thon

Our friends over at Gapers Block are throwing a good old fashioned Dance-A-Thon at Quenchers on Sunday afternoon. That’s right, we said afternoon as in 3 to 7 p.m.--we mean it when we say old school! LGBTQ podcast Feast of Fun are hosting, and DJ Mu Mu James will provide the tunes for the shindig. Go-Go dancers The Revelettes and comedian Kristin Clifford will perform as well. $10 gets you in. If you bring a can for the food drive, you’ll also get a special thank you prize.

February 12, 3 - 7 p.m.

-Michelle Meywes