10 fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day

Valentinesday2016 Sactownmagazine
Illustration by Benjamin Della Rosa courtesy of Empress Tavern

From a cupid-themed midtown pub crawl to a romantic train ride along the river, we’ve rounded up 10 events taking place this Valentine's Day weekend that are sure to make your heart skip a beat.

Cupid’s Revenge Pub Crawl

Feb. 13 At this interactive pre-Valentine's Day pub crawl, participants will partake in a photo scavenger hunt with tasks such as kissing a stranger’s head or singing a Katy Perry song at the top of their lungs. Crawlers hashtag finds on Instagram and Twitter and perform Yelp check-ins at bars along the midtown route (the names of which will be announced the day of) to receive drink specials like pink “Cupid’s kiss” shooters. Don’t forget your bow and arrows—there will be a costume contest. $5 ($10 day of event). 2-6 p.m. Locations vary. nightout.com

Folsom Symphony

Feb. 13 Take your main squeeze to Folsom Symphony's “Romance and Destiny” concert featuring the overture from the Russian composer Mikhail Glinka's opera Ruslan and Lyudmila, which is based on an epic poem by Alexander Pushkin about a warrior who must rescue his kidnapped bride. French composer Ernest Chausson’s Poème (a somber orchestration about two friends in love with the same woman), Maurice Ravel’s seductive and tempestuous Tzigane, and Tchaikovsky’s turbulent Symphony No. 5, which explores the theme of fate and features a love song in the second movement, will round out the evening. $25-$59. 7:30 p.m. Harris Center for the Performing Arts. 10 College Pkwy. Folsom. 608-6888. folsomsymphony.com

Port, Wine & Chocolate Lovers' Weekend

Feb. 13 & 14 Take a day trip with your Valentine to this tasting event at Clarksburg’s Old Sugar Mill wineries, where eleven vintners like Carvalho Family Winery and Elevation Ten will offer samples of wine and port paired with sugary and savory small bites like artisan cheese, chocolate ganache or chocolate-bacon bars. Nab something more filling at a pop-up restaurant helmed by the Culinerdy Cruzer food truck's owner Keith Breedlove or roll up your sleeves at demos for making your own cookie box and bottling your own port. $25 ($40 day of event). 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Old Sugar Mill. 35265 Willow Ave. Clarksburg. 744-1615. oldsugarmill.com

Race for Justice Valentine Run/Walk

Feb. 13 Lovers will be on the run at this Arden Park neighborhood event benefiting the nonprofit Legal Services of Northern California. Valentine’s Day-themed costumes like sparkly red shirts and cupid attire are encouraged for all runners, including canine companions. Adult races can choose from a 1.8- or 4-mile run, while kids can participate in fun runs for a chance to win pairs of Saucony shoes. After sweating it out, nosh on tasty treats from bakery Nothing Bundt Cakes. Prices and times vary. Macy's at Country Club Plaza. 3500 El Camino Ave. 551-2164. lsncrun.info

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Valentine’s Day Edition

Feb. 13 Things might get a little frisky as you belt out “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me” at this late night Valentine’s Day-themed screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Before the show, couples can get their photo taken with the cast on stage and project messages to their sweetie on screen, and The Sacramento Horror Film Festival’s performance troupe, Amber's Sweets, will act out the musical while it plays out. And don't forget to grab your garters, corsets and glittered top hats—there will a costume contest at intermission. $20. 10 p.m. Historical Colonial Theatre. 2522 Colonial Blvd. sachorrorfilmfest.com

Old Vine Express

Feb. 13 Board the Sacramento RiverTrain for an afternoon of wine tasting during the leisurely three-hour journey from the West Sacramento riverfront to Woodland. The romantic ride will highlight Yolo County wines, specifically a special selection of dessert varieties from 23 different vintners such as Bogle Vineyards and Berryessa Gap. Soul band Foxtrot Mary sets the mood to cozy up with your sweetie and sip glasses of sweet wine together while rolling into the Delta sunset. $45. 3 p.m. 400 N. Harbor Blvd. West Sacramento. 800-866-1690. sacramentorivertrain.com

“Colors” Valentine's Day Pub Crawl

Feb. 13 Hosted by the Xoso Sport and Social League, this midtown pub crawl offers an alternative for couples, singles and friends looking for a more social celebration this Valentine’s Day. Attendees don T-shirts in red to signify singledom, blue if it’s complicated, and black if taken, and tickets get bar hoppers six drinks along the route. $20 ($25 day of event). 5 p.m. 426-9676. xososports.com

Dinner and a Movie at Empress Tavern

Feb. 14 If you want to splurge this holiday, downtown’s popular underground restaurant Empress Tavern is partnering with the adjacent Crest Theatre to turn up the romance with a one-of-a-kind dinner and movie event. The evening ($125 per person) begins with a lavish prix fixe menu featuring dishes like butter-poached lobster panisse, onion-roasted short ribs and duck confit salad by chef Michael Thiemann and ends with a trip up the stairs to watch a 7:30 p.m. showing of John Hughes’ teen rom-com Sixteen Candles starring Roseville native Molly Ringwald. $125 per person. 5 p.m. 1013 K St. 662-7694. empresstavern.com

I Heart Sacramento Zoo

Feb. 14 During this annual V-Day celebration at the Sacramento Zoo, furry residents like giraffes, lions and chimpanzees can be seen tearing into heart-shaped piñatas and devouring heart-shaped frozen treats. Zoo Teens will be on hand to provide information about showing love to the animal kingdom by learning ways to protect wildlife and endangered species. $11.75 ($7.75 for ages 2-11). 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sacramento Zoo. 3930 W. Land Park Dr. 808-5888. saczoo.org

Love and Information

Through Feb. 28 Make a connection at Capital Stage's presentation of British playwright Caryl Churchill’s commentary on how people pursue, reject and handle relationships. Eleven actors will play various characters attempting to connect with each other through more than 50 scenes (some merely seconds in length), including a scene where two former significant others recall how they once were, and one where a woman reveals a years-long affair to a friend. $20-$45. Times vary by day. Capital Stage. 2215 J St. 995-5464. capstage.org

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