Whether you're single, coupled, shacked up or would rather pot a plant than commemorate the commercialization of love (this is actually an option — just keep reading), DNAinfo New York has rounded up a series of Valentine's Day weekend events to suit all tastes.
(Unless otherwise noted, all events are planned for Sunday, Feb. 14)
► For couples looking to make a big romantic gesture
Romance Under the Stars
Where: Hayden Planetarium, 81 Central Park West, Upper West Side
When: 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
For a star-filled evening, head to the Hayden Planetarium and Cullman Hall. There, you'll have access to an open bar, hors d'ouevres and live music by the Josh Rutner string quartet. Once the champagne's got you feeling celestial, head to the planetarium for views of the night sky and tales of ancient romance. Entry is $125 per person.
The Rivertown String Quartet
Where: Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, 899 Shore Road, Pelham Bay
When: 4:30 p.m.
Visit the 19th-century mansion in Pelham Bay this Valentine's Day for some sweet sonatas. There, the Rivertown String Quartet will perform romantic classical music, ranging from Schubert to Beethoven to Ginastera. After the concert, patrons can sip on some refreshments at the opening of the "Gilded Age Glamour" exhibition.
Jazz Standards with Cécile McLorin Salvant
Where: Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Lincoln Square
When: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Spend your Valentine's Day getting lost in the music of jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. Twenty-five year old Salvant — whose talent won her the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition — will be delivering a Valentine's Day-inspired performance. Tickets are available from $60-$90.
► For a low-key date
Gallery Tour: "Love and Lust in American Art"
Where: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights
When: 1 p.m.
Museum guides offer history buffs a free tour of the "American Identities" installation, as well as the exhibition "Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861-2008."
City Bakery's Hot Chocolate Festival 2016
Where: City Bakery, 3 W. 18th St., Flatiron
When: All month long
Heat things up at City Bakery where, throughout the month of February, the sweet spot offers different hot chocolate flavors on the daily. Cups range from $3-$5, and make for great companions if you decide to stroll to nearby Madison Square Park after.
► For singles and couples looking for a laugh
Cupid's Undie Run
Where: Stage 48, 605 W. 48th St., Midtown
When: Saturday, Feb. 13th at 2 p.m.
Finally, running next-to-naked can be called a benevolent act. This Valentine's Day weekend, Cupid's Undie Run invites runners of all stripes to sprint in their skivvies and help raise funds to cure a rare genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis.
Upon completion of the "mile-ish" run, participants are treated to what the site calls a "wicked afterparty." If you sign up before Feb. 6th, registration costs $45. Afterward, it's $55.
The Wonderful World of Boning: Sex Ed with a Sense of Humor
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union St., Park Slope
When: 7:30 p.m.
Puberty is a harrowing experience for pretty much everyone, which makes it prime fodder for comedy. On Feb. 14th, sex ed instructor and comedian Lux Alptraum teams up with other community comedians to "teach" audience members the ins and outs and "oh my gods" of sexual health. Entry is $8.
The Rejection Show: Valentine's Day Heartbreak Haven
Where: Littlefield, 622 Degraw St., Gowanus
When: 8 p.m.
Comedians and writers convene for an evening to share lighthearted stories of despair. Recounting tales of lost love and awful breakups, performers blend spoken word with live music for an atmosphere that's lively enough to make the most painfully single person forget that they're going home to a cat.
► For those who just don't care
Love Bites: The Power Ballads Sing-Along
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union St., Park Slope
When: Saturday, Feb. 13, 9:30 p.m.
Whether a battlefield or a drug, love offers itself up for some serious singing. Head to Union Hall on Feb. 14th and pay tribute to the power ballad heavyweights whose lyrics, saccharine or spiteful, stick with us.
$10 entry will grant you a night of Aerosmith, Seal, Bonnie Tyler and Journey videos, as well as themed drinks including the Eternal Flame, Kiss From a Rose and Love Bites.
Hanging Garden Workshop
Where: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 990 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights
When: Saturday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.
Build something that will last at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Participants will acquaint themselves with kokedama, a form of Japanese garden art, by making it.
After a brief instruction period, participants will repot a houseplant in a moss ball, taking the remainder of the workshop time to enhance their designs. The fee for members is $31. For non-members, the price is $46.
Anthropomorphic Insect Shadowbox Workshop
Where: Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424A Third Ave., Gowanus
When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
If you'd rather spend Valentine's Day playing with desiccated bugs than planning dates, you're in luck. For $75, Morbid Anatomy Museum guests can make shadowbox "homes" for rhino and gideon beetles with miniature furniture. They'll learn about the field from Daisy Tainton, who worked for the American Museum of Natural History as a Senior Insect Preparator.
