10 picks of local hot spots to take your Valentine
Whether your idea of a romantic Valentine's Day is the traditional dinner-and-a-show or a more avant-garde approach of yoga and a relationship blessing, we've got you covered.
Our eclectic list of 10 Valentine's date hot spots in the Rochester area includes everything from picturesque sleigh rides through Casa Larga vineyard to classical music celebrating Saint Valentine himself at Hochstein.
#1 Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater
What's more romantic than dancing on Valentine's Day? For some, not having to dance, but watching true professionals instead. The Nazareth College Arts Center presents the famed Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater on Saturday. The theater was Las Vegas' first professional, nonprofit contemporary dance company and is known for its passionate, powerful style that moves audiences. Company members have danced for Cirque Du Soleil in Las Vegas, as well as on So You Think You Can Dance, America's Got Talent, and Dancing with the Stars.
Ticket holders can attend a pre-performance lecture with members of the company at 7 p.m. in the Peace Theater (Room A14).
What: Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater's Valentine's Day performance
When: 8 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Callahan Theater, The Nazareth College Arts Center, 4245 East Ave., Pittsford
Cost: $20 to $50. For tickets, vist or call the box office: (585) 389-2170; or order at artscenter.naz.edu.
More: artscenter.naz.edu
#2 Road trip: Snowshoes and chocolate
Take your Valentine on a romantic and adventurous road trip to the Montezuma Audubon Center, near Seneca Falls, for a "Sweetheart Snowshoe." Spend some time snowshoeing through this beautiful, 198-acre, state-owned, protected habitat for birds and wildlife. Afterwards, warm up inside the center's indoor facility and partake in a bird-friendly chocolate tasting.
What: Sweetheart Snowshoe
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savannah.
Cost: $12 with snowshoe rental; $10 without. Call (315) 365-3588 or email Montezuma@audubon.org to register.
More: http://ny.audubon.org/montezuma
#3 Laugh with your love
"Every Valentine's Day can use some laughter," says Megan Mack, co-organizer (with B.J. Scanlon) of the Laughingstock: Comedy Festival at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center in Rochester. The six-day festival provides multiple comedy show options throughout Valentine's weekend. Groups performing on Valentine's Day evening include: Left for Dead; Improv; Unleashed! Improv; Two Fat Ladies; Polite Ink sketch and improv, Garden Fresh, Passive Aggressives Anonymous; and Hardwood.
What: Laughingstock: Comedy Festival
When: Various show times through Sunday.
Where: MuCCC, 142 Atlantic Ave.
Cost: Most performances $10 (some free).
More: http://muccc.org/or or (917) 224-2347 for specific show times, prices and to order tickets.
#4 An icy Valentine's Day
Ice is nice on Valentine's Day at the New York Ice Wine and Culinary Festival at Perinton's Casa Larga Vineyards. The annual festival celebrates New York state's award-winning ice wines and features wine tastings from 11 ice-wine producers. There also will be romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides through the vineyard plus blackjack, winery tours, vendors and seminars. Brick City Catering will offer culinary treats infused with ice wine, such as seared ahi tuna served over a heart-shaped wonton crisp with a spicy ice wine sauce.
It is highly recommended you get your tickets for this one-of-a-kind event ahead of time as tickets sold at the door quickly sold out in 2014.
What: New York Ice Wine and Culinary Festival
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Casa Larga Vineyards, 2287 Turk Hill Road, Perinton.
Cost: $65 per person. Buy tickets at www.casalarga.com, Wegmans or the Case Larga Wine Shop.
More: www.casalarga.com or (585) 223-4210.
#5 Shop with (or for) your sweetie
If you need a last-minute Valentine's Day gift for your sweetheart, Joe Bean Coffee Roasters in Rochester is ready. It's holding a Valentine's Day Jewelry Trunk Show on Saturday. Rochester-area artists, including Interstellar Love Craft, Samantha Lake Designs, Emerson and Oliver, and Puccoon Raccoon, will be on-site with jewelry to purchase.
Also, Jean Bean will offer a special evening Valentine's menu on Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Highlights of the menu are reserve wine and cheese pairings and EatMe S'mores (handmade marshmallows and graham crackers with single-origin chocolate from Ritual Chocolate).
What: Valentine's Day Jewelry Trunk Show
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Joe Bean Coffee Roasters, 1344 University Ave.
Cost: Free.
More: http://www.joebeanroasters.com/ or (585) 319-5279.
#6 Love and romance, Rat Pack-style
If you're looking for a show to go with your Valentine's Day dinner, Rochester's Blackfriars Theatre is serving up a special one: A Vegas Valentine. Well-known vocal impersonator Frank Torchio and his fellow entertainers present an evening of love and romance, mid-1960's Rat Pack-style. This comedic musical is filled with surprises, popular tunes from the bygone era of Vegas variety floor shows, and more.
What:A Vegas Valentine
When: 6 8:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Blackfriars Theatre, 795 E. Main St.
Cost: $35
More: www.blackfriars.org or (585) 454-1260.
#7 Art for your heart
The Nan Miller Gallery in Pittsford will be holding a special "In Love with Art" showcase and chocolate tasting on Valentine's Day. New artwork, ranging from romantic city scenes to elegant florals and impressionistic figures, will be on display. The event will also celebrate the gallery's newest neighbor in the Oak Hill Commons: Grand Cru Chocolates & Nuts. Samples of chocolates from Grand Cru will be offered.
What: "In Love with Art"
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Nan Miller Gallery, 3000 Monroe Ave., Pittsford.
Cost: Free. RSVP appreciated. Call (585) 292-1430 or email info@nanmillergallery.com.
More: www.nanmillergallery.com
#8 A blessed Valentine's Day
Looking for a reflective way to celebrate your Valentine? The Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School invites you to their Valentine's Day Blessing of Relationships. This 15-minute service in the beautiful Samuel Colgate Memorial Chapel is open to all couples, regardless of faith. Afterward, couples are invited to share a complimentary glass of champagne and fresh strawberries.
What: Valentine's Day Blessing of Relationships
When: 5 to 5:15 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Rochester Crozer Divinity School, 1100 S. Goodman St. .
Cost: Free. RSVP required via (585) 340-9643 or email ddiederich@crcds.edu.
More: http://www.crcds.edu/category/events-on-the-hill/
#9 Love on a mat
The Nu Movement Studio has a Valentine's Day event planned for your heart. The Valentine's Day Heart Opening Yoga Workshop will be held on Saturday at Nu, an artisan cooperative located in Rochester's Neighborhood of the Arts.
Yogis Jenn Rowland and Jessica Latchney will lead the workshop, which will feature a heart-opening yoga series and guided heart meditation. Kate Western will speak about how essential oils relate to emotional wellness.
What: Valentine's Day Heart Opening Yoga Workshop
When: Noon to 2 p.m., Saturday.
Where: Nu Movement Studio, 716 University Ave.
Cost: $18. Pre-registration required via jllatch@gmail.com or jdrowland3@gmail.com.
More: http://numvmnt.com or (585) 704-2889.
#10 Music for your Valentine
Conclude your Valentine's Day weekend with some apropos classic music at the St. Valentine's Romantic Rendezvous Chamber Music Concert. The Society for Chamber Music in Rochester will perform their first concert of 2015 at Hochstein in Rochester on Sunday. The concert features Juliana Athayde on violin, Erik Behr on oboe, Matthew McDonald on bassoon, and Michael Landrum on piano. Pieces include "Romance" from The Gadfly by Dmitri Shostakovich, "Three Romances" for oboe and piano by Robert Schumann, and "Romance" by Amy Beach.
What: St. Valentine's Romantic Rendezvous Chamber Music Concert
When: 3 p.m. Sunday (pre-concert talk at 2:30 p.m.).
Where: Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N. Plymouth Ave.
Cost: $30. Tickets available at http://ow.ly/HYS5t
More: http://societyforchambermusicrochester.com/ or (585) 377-6770.