Things to do for Valentine's Day 2013 in New York
Screw the dinner date. Try one of these things to do for Valentine's Day: parties, singles mixers, comedy or burlesque shows, screenings, and more.
Fri Feb 1 2013
Justin Vivian Bond and the JC Hopkins Biggish Band Photograph: Courtesy JC Hopkins
Things to do for Valentine's Day: Performances and shows
JC Hopkins Biggish Band featuring Justin Vivian Bond and Kiki Valentine
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Songwriter-producer Hopkins and his 13-piece orchestra are joined by alt-cabaret legend Justin Vivian Bond and funny lady Kiki Valentine for a pre–V-Day evening of songs about love and other horrors.
- Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
- Until Sun Feb 10
Pacific Standard Pub Quiz
- Critics choice
- Free
The owners of West Coast–themed watering hole Pacific Standard host this weekly trivia night, which challenges your wits with four ten-question rounds and tests your taste buds with a bonus mystery-beer round. At tonight's Valentine's Day–pegged edition, educators from Babeland ask cupid-related queries.
- Pacific Standard 82 Fourth Ave, between Bergen St and St. Marks Pl
- Until Sun Feb 10
Bilal
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Soulquarian Bilal (né Bilal Oliver) plays in celebration of a new disc, A Love Surreal—just in time for V-Day. He's a great talent and a supertight live performer, so expect a pleasing degree of sweat and stickiness at tonight's show.
- Highline Ballroom 431 W 16th St, between Ninth and Tenth Aves
- Until Tue Feb 12
Nuit Blanche: Valentine's Burlesque
- Critics choice
Dances of Vice brings a glamorous gaggle of glittering showgirls and exotic performers to the Meatpacking District; the burlesque affair features three sets in an a new production each week. The all-star cast for tonight's Valentine's Eve show includes Calamity Chang, Cassandra Rosebeetle, Medianoche, Hazel Honeysuckle and Tansy Tan Dora; a dance party with DJ Eve Salvail follows the performances, keeping the action coming until 2am. For dinner reservations, call 212-675-2400 (or just imbibe a cocktail or three).
- Beaumarchais 409 W 13th St, between Ninth Ave and Washington St, 10014
- Wed Feb 13
Patrizio Buanne
- Price band: 2/4
You'll feel like you're in a Scorsese movie, or perhaps certain Woody Allen ones, as Italian crooner Patrizio Buanne does his suave, nightclubby thing at the Highline. The title of tonight's show? "Up Close and Personal." Ooh!
- Highline Ballroom 431 W 16th St, between Ninth and Tenth Aves
- Wed Feb 13
Marc Cohn
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Still best known for his early-'90s hits "Walking in Memphis" and "True Companion," soulful Cleveland singer-songwriter Marc Cohn hits town for two Valentine's shows, featuring surprise guests.
- City Winery 155 Varick St, at Vandam St
- Wed Feb 13
Ladies of Soul: Xavier + Lady Rizo + Joan As Police Woman and more
- Price band: 2/4
Silky voiced local soulster Xavier heads up this tribute to the torchbearing ladies of soul, just in time for V-Day. His guests include the winkingly sexy, Victrola-voiced chanteuse Lady Rizo, and noirish songstress Joan as Police Woman.
- Joe's Pub at the Public Theater 425 Lafayette St, between Astor Pl and E 4th St
- Wed Feb 13
Filthy Gorgeous Burlesque Valentine's Spectacular
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Thirsty Girl Productions is back with another burlesque extravaganza, this one celebrating that most lovey-dovey of holidays, Valentine's Day. Even if you're single, you can't go wrong with this lineup, with MsTickle, Gal Friday, Cherry Typhoon, Brewster, Gin Minsky, Dandy Wellington, Shelly the Singing Siren and the New York City Burlesque Choir wowing the crowd. Hot-to-trot tunes come courtesy of DJ Momotaro, and the World Famous *BOB* serves as the night's Amazonian host.
- Highline Ballroom 431 W 16th St, between Ninth and Tenth Aves
- Thu Feb 14
Gotham Burlesque
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Gary Beeber—the filmmaker behind the documentary Dirty Martini and the New Burlesque—produces this monthly revue, which features political satire, comedy, performance art, dance and general onstage allure. This naughty-but-nice holiday edition sees action from a glittering array of stars, with Nasty Canasta, Peekaboo Pointe, Tigger!, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Minnie Tonka, Jonny Porkpie, Shelly Watson, Miss Saturn, Madame Rosebud and the New York City Burlesque Choir all helping to stuff your stocking. Dangrrr Doll is the night's stage kitten, and the inimitable Bastard Keith serves as the soiree's charming host.
- Stage 72 158 W 72nd St, between Columbus Ave and Broadway
- Until Sat May 4
Dark Carnival Burlesque
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Hosted by the Gothic Hangman, this night of burly-Q hotness (and magic and comedy) features contributions from Kat Mon Dieu, Juliet Jeske, Broadway Brassy, Magic Max, Ruby Solitaire, Poison Ivory, Leta LeNoir and Bruno Puntz Jones; Lucille Ti Amore is the night's stage kitten.
- The Delancey 168 Delancey St, at Clinton St
- Until Fri May 17
An Alternative Jazz Valentine
- Price band: 1/4
ShapeShifter Lab hosts a holiday-themed vocal-jazz showcase, featuring bands led by Tammy Scheffer and Tomoko Omura.
- ShapeShifter Lab 18 Whitwell Pl, between Carroll and 1st Sts, 11215
- Thu Feb 14
Lezlie Harrison
- Price band: 2/4
Lezlie Harrison sings jazz and soul classics at a Valentine's Day–themed gig.
- The Jazz Gallery 1160 Broadway, between 27th and 28th Sts, fifth floor
- Thu Feb 14
Showgasm
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Ars Nova's eclectic (and cheap!) neovaudevillian variety show features a lively mix of music, comedy and burlesque acts. The Valentine's Day edition, hosted by John Early, includes performances by Kristen Johnston, Cole Escola and Erin Markey.
Gym, Deer + Kip Jones
- Price band: 1/4
Gym, Deer, a hypnotic Brooklyn art-soul outfit, headlines a Valentine's Day bill at Sycamore.
Sara Serpa / André Matos Trio
- Price band: 1/4
Airily precise Portuguese jazz singer Sara Serpa coleads a trio with guitarist André Matos, her frequent collaborator.
- Cornelia Street Café 29 Cornelia St, between Bleecker and W 4th Sts, 10014
- Thu Feb 14
Eric Roberson
- Price band: 4/4
Neosoul crooner Eric Roberson—also known as Erro to the, um, Errobsessed—has collabed with Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild. This evening he'll put his personal spin on romantic hits by Brian McKnight, Will Downing, Luther Vandross and the like.
Freddie Jackson
- Price band: 4/4
R&B ladies' man Freddie Jackson sings smooth grooves for lovers; his signature hits are "You Are My Lady" and "Rock Me Tonight." We're willing to bet he'll be handing out red roses tonight...
- B.B. King Blues Club & Grill 237 W 42nd St, between Seventh and Eighth Aves
- Thu Feb 14
Matuto
- Price band: 1/4
Brooklyn's Matuto blends Brazilian and Appalachian sounds, yielding an odd yet highly palatable mix. Tonight the band hosts a special Valentine's Night dance.
Bernie Worrell Orchestra
- Price band: 2/4
Former P-Funker Bernie Worrell has lent his keyboard mastery to a vast array of projects over the years; on his latest, the tender yet typically loopy Standards, Worrell took on chestnuts by Ellington, Brubeck and others. Should be good fodder for tonight's Valentine's Day gig in Hoboken.
"The Devotion Project" screening
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
In honor of Valentine's Day, the Center presents this series of six short documentary films about LGBT couples and families, followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Antony Osso as well as several of the subjects featured in the films.
- The LGBT Center 208 W 13th St, between Greenwich and Seventh Aves
- Wed Feb 13
Performance!
Local saxist and experimental-music maven Sam Hillmer, overseer of the Practice! series at Public Assembly, recently launched this similarly titled Manhattan counterpart. Tonight's Valentine's Day edition features Florida art-punk duo Tonstartssbandht, the pairing of guitarist Patrick Higgins and bass-clarinetist Lea Bertucci (performing Erik Satie's Vexations), Hillmer's Diamond Terrifier solo project and more.
- The Bowery Electric 327 Bowery, between 2nd and 3rd Sts
- Thu Feb 28
Homo Erectus: My Furry Valentine
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Matt Knife shows love for hairy boys in this Valentine's Day edition of his regular Homo Erectus boylesque night. Performers include Teddy Turnaround, Suffra Gent, Johnny Cumalot, Modern Arty and many more. Will Clark serves as host.
- The Stonewall Inn 53 Christopher St, between Seventh Ave South and Waverly Pl , 10014
- Thu Feb 14
Dance and Chocolate
- Price band: 1/4
Choreographer Megan Sipe hosts an evening of dance in conjunction with Valentine's Day that includes a humorous solo and Chocolate Dances, a group work.
- Drilling Company 236 W 78th St, between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway, third floor
- Until Sun Feb 17
Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects
- Price band: 1/4
Choreographer Jody Oberfelder presents "I Heart Dance" party, a Valentine's Day celebration of dance, music, burlesque, food and drink that benefits, in part, Sanctuary for Families. At 7pm, Oberfelder previews her latest work, 4Chambers, an immersive film and performance installation scheduled to be unveiled in the fall.
- Santos Party House 96 Lafayette St, at Walker St
- Thu Feb 14 - Fri Feb 15
Toshi Reagon Presents Good Folk Lovers Rock: A Post-Valentine's Day Sade Love Fest
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Brooklyn-based blueswoman/folkie Toshi Reagon pays homage to the queen of the quiet storm, with performances from Ganessa James, Allison Miller, Kimberly Nichole, Alex Nolan, Sun Singleton, and Morley.
- Joe's Pub at the Public Theater 425 Lafayette St, between Astor Pl and E 4th St
- Until Fri Feb 15
The '70s Soul Jam with the Stylistics + The Chi-Lites + The Emotions + The Manhattans and more
- Price band: 3/4
Philadelphia soul stars the Stylistics team up with Chicago soul quartet the Chi-Lites (of "Have You Seen Her?" and "Oh Girl" fame) for some buttery-smooth ballads at this pair of steamy shows. Also on the bill is Cuba Gooding Sr., plus the Manhattans, who formed when doo-wop was king, but they actually fared better with the smooth R&B that became the next big thing (1976's "Kiss and Say Goodbye" remains the vocal troupe’s landmark). Don't come dateless!
- Beacon Theatre 2124 Broadway, at 74th St
- Until Sat Feb 16
- Menu
- Performances and shows
- Good for couples
- Parties and singles events
- Anti–Valentine's Day
