There’s not just good eating in the borough this Valentine’s Day. Check out the events below for some special love-themed events in Brooklyn, some traditional, some not (murder ballads, anyone?).
Anti-Valentine’s Day reading
Feb. 11, 7 p.m., free
PowerHouse Arena
37 Main St., DUMBO
718-666-3049
Featuring the editor of “It’s Not You, It’s Me; The Poetry of Breakup,” an anthology of ruptured romance featuring contributions from National Book Award finalist Kim Addonizio, bestselling author Denis Johnson, and former poet laureate Mark Strand.
Valentine’s Day cocktail party
Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., $5
Word bookstore
126 Franklin St.
Greenpoint
718-383-0096
Take a trip to the 1950s, as Time Table presents a cocktail party featuring aphrodisiac food and drink from the 1952 book, “Venus in the Kitchen: Or Love’s Cookery Book.” Feel free to dress the part.
BAGGAGE Claim
Feb. 14, 6 p.m., free
Brooklyn Artists Gym
168 7th St., Gowanus
718-858-9069
Help BAG build a temporary museum with the evidence of love gone by. Bring your mix tapes, hoodies, love letters, crappy jewelry and all forms of bad gifts, and exchange them for new items. You never wore that tee-shirt anyway.
Aphrodisiacs and Amor
Feb. 14, 5-7:30 p.m.
$65 per couple
SHAG
108 Roebling St.
Williamsburg
347-721-3302
SHAG, a fine art gallery and seller of sex toys, hosts a provocative dinner with Nuevo Latino Chef Alex Garcia, whowill tease and tantalize the taste buds with a course in aphrodisiacs for couples, who will enjoy their meal blindfolded.
Pete n Jenny’s Cheap Date Valentine’s Day Cabaret
Feb. 14, 7 p.m., $10
Jalopy
315 Columbia St.
Red Hook
718-395-3214
This annual cabaret features something for everyone: love songs, murder ballads, burlesque dancers, comedy, poetry, trivia, magic and a kissing booth. Bring, or find, someone to kiss.
I Heart Brooklyn Party
Feb. 14, 3-7 p.m., free
MoCADA
80 Hanson Pl.
Downtown Brooklyn
718-230-0492
Show your love for Brooklyn this Valentine’s Day, as the museum presents an afternoon of readings by Brooklyn-based poets, followed by a DJ Set featuring hits by Brooklyn’s illustrious musical artists.It’ll be OK to dance by yourself.
Get Your Heart On!
Feb. 14, 8 p.m., free
3rd Ward
195 Morgan Ave.
Bushwick
718-715-4961
Moviehouse presents three-minute romantic movies that include these three criterion: a reference to at least one of the three wise monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil), a celebrity death, and something uncontrollable. How romantic.
The Rejection Show Valentine’s Day Heartbreak Haven
Feb. 14, 8 p.m., $10
The Bell House
149 7th St., Gowanus
718-643-6510
This one’s for the rejected: comedy series The Rejection Show celebrates Valentine’s Day with an evening of its best breakup, heartbreak and love-related stories, with performances from Jon Friedman, Eliza Skinner, Max Silvestri, Sara Schaefer, Gabe Liedman, Gabe Delahaye, Edith Zimmermann, and more, as well as music from The Defibulators, who’s always ready for a party. Despite the theme, all – even happy couples – are welcome. Just don’t be too showy about it.
—Meredith Deliso
