Valentine’s Day: A Little Something for Everyone in Brooklyn

February 8, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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Regardless of relationship status, Valentine’s Day in Brooklyn seems to be an excuse to throw a funky party, to be a little sweet or a little weird, to break up the doldrums of the winter months. Dare we say… business as usual?

Whether you are celebrating romance, looking for romance, or swearing off amour for the month of February, here is an assortment of the many events being hosted under the themes of love and love lost.

Brooklyn Banya’s annual Valentine’s Day bash… a steamy evening at the Russian baths. Tuesday, Feb. 14.

This limited-admission pool party at Banya’s baths, two blocks south of Prospect Park, is “the kind of party you always imagine, but can never quite find in real life… and may be the only one you’ll come out of cleaner than when you came in,” say the hosts, Gemini & Scorpio, of this Russian Bath party.

Only 150 spots are available and the party, which starts at 7 p.m., doesn’t finish up until to 2 a.m. Check geminiandscorpio.com for availability.

The newly remodeled baths feature Russian, Turkish and Swedish steam rooms; a jacuzzi and cold plunge pool; poolside dance floor; a rooftop smoking deck; a hookah lounge and Russian food in a private restaurant room with a view of the dance floor.

Brooklyn’s own legendary street brass marching band The Hungry March Band will make an appearance, with DJ sets later into the night. Open vodka bar from 9 to 10 p.m. and pierogies for all. 21+ with ID. Brooklyn Banya, 602 Coney Island Ave.

“Meet Me In Paris”… a clandestine French cabaret with live music. Saturday, Feb. 11.

Gemini & Scorpio will also host “Meet Me In Paris,” a French cabaret with live music, burlesque and variety acts, followed by late-night dancing and lounging in the softly-lit loft. There will be absinthe and other libations at the bar.

Beginning at 8 will be a cocktail hour, followed by live acts until 1 a.m. “Dancing and lounging to follow, until 5 a.m.

This is also reportedly the soft opening of Gemini & Scorpio’s new, yet-unamed art space. Would-be attendees must email for the address. Tickets $20 until 1 a.m., $10 after. 21+. Dress code is “cabaret through the ages,” or formal. Visit geminiandscorpio.com/events.html.

Missed Connections at New York Transit Museum

A peek, a glimpse, never to be seen again… In honor of Valentine’s Day, if you’ve had a missed connection on New York City transit, the Transit Museum wants to hear about it! Submit stories here (and read submitted stories here!) and then head to the Missed Connections party hosted by Brooklyn Brewery at the Transit Museum, on Feb. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. If you don’t reconnect with your elusive love, enjoy beer and listen to poems read by New York Times Metro writer Alan Feuer based on Craigslist Missed Connections posts. More information at brooklynbrewery.com.

Cheap Date Comedy Show: Valentine’s Day Edition… at Union Hall. Feb. 14.

Comedians of the night include Gary Gulman (Dane Cook’s Tourgasm), Political Subversites (Huffington Post), Michael Che (Comedy Central’s “Comics to Watch”) and Selena Coppock (McSweeney’s). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at tickets are $5. More information at www.unionhallny.com.

Secret Formula presents “Love Bites: The Power Ballads Sing-Along”… at Union Hall the same night. Feb. 14.

This event will proudly mix “pro-love” and “love sucks” power ballad music video hits from the 80s and 90s.”

Music videos, which have been subtitled to promote singing along, will include Journey, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Seal, The Bangles, Def Leppard, Night Ranger, R. Kelly, Meatloaf, Bonnie Tyler, Poison, Cyndi Lauper and Guns N’ Roses. $8.

“It’s the perfect V-Day dinner or post-dinner date or even no-date activity!” suggests the listing. The evening will also feature an air guitar competition, an 80s or 90s costume contest and a best/worst break up story contest and more. Begins at 10 p.m.

TinyRhino’s V-day Eve Celebration… introducing the Public’s Emerging Writers Group at Brooklyn Lyceum. Monday, Feb. 13.   

This evening is billed as “The Rave Reviewed Theatrical Drinking Game,” featuring six new plays to celebrate “kisses, cuddling, quarrels, and lonely, lonely tears.” TinyRhino is UglyRhino’s take on the 10-minute play evening.

This monthly event, premiered in July 2011, showcases the work of up-and-coming playwrights, directors and actors.

Tickets are $10 at the door; includes a free beer. More information available at uglyrhinonyc.com/monthly-tinyrhino.html.

 “A Valentine’s Day Eve Ladies of Soul Tribute” starring Xavier and friends… at Joe’s Pub. Feb. 13.

Brooklyn singer Xavier, who was interviewed by NY1 on Monday, has collaborated on recordings with artists ranging from LL Cool J to the Scissor Sisters. He was accepted into the Boys Choir Of Harlem (BCH) at age 10, and within the following year he was touring with them as a soloist. With the choir, he performed alongside Sir Paul McCartney, Luciano Pavarotti, Quincy Jones, Michael Bolton, Grace Jones, Whitney Houston and his hero Stevie Wonder.

On Monday he will be performing a “Ladies of Soul” Tribute with friends at 9:30 p.m. at Joe’s Pub. $12 in advance; $15 at door.

Love Bites! Power Ballad Tribute Show… at Brooklyn Bowl. Feb. 14.

Many artists, all backed by the Love Bites! Band will perform beginning at 8 p.m.

Artists include Amber Martin (Mattachine, Amber Alert), Mark Rinzel (Jupiter Deluxe), Corn Mo, Cathy Cervenka (Loser’s Lounge, Cheap Trick or Treat), Tony Z (Honeycomb), Yana Chupenko (Shiny Mama), Chris Hall, Sophia Ramos, Watt White, Kevin Brennan, Militia (Judas Priestess), Mike Maenza, John Cappadona (Almost Queen), Cherie Martorana (Rubix Kube) and more. Hosted by Cathy Cervenka with DJ Dario Speedwagon.

Doors at 6 p.m. Brooklyn Bowl is at 61 Wythe Ave. Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 day of show. 21+. Info at www.brooklynbowl.com.

“I (Heart) Interns at the Cypress Hills branch of the Brooklyn Public Library created bulletin boards in recognition of the holiday. Brooklyn Public LibraryBx/Bk”… at Brooklyn Historical Society, with the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Feb. 14.

How has your borough left its mark on you? What makes your borough so great? What does it mean to be a Brooklynite, or a Bronxite?

“I (Heart) Bx/Bk” — to be held in two parts, on two different dates, in two different boroughs — explores these questions and “examines how the two boroughs have inspired such love, fear, myths, loyalty and longing.

“Learn about the baseball rivalry that is now the stuff of legend, and how it has impacted Brooklyn-Bronx relations. Discover the connections between people growing up in different parts of New York City in different eras.”

Borough love stories will be told by Brooklyn storyteller Michele Carlo, Bronx storyteller Bobby Gonzalez, Brooklyn poet Knickie D, Bronx poet Skye Cabrera, Brooklyn Dodgers historian Joe Dorinson, and former Yankees batboy Frank Prudenti. After the featured performers, ticketholders can “rep your borough” in an open mic session.

 The event starts at 7 p.m. in BHS’ Othmer Library. Tickets are $15 ($10 for BHS and BxMA members). Tumbador chocolates, Brooklyn Brewery and Bronx Brewery beer to be served. More information at www.brooklynhistory.org.

On Feb. 24, the project continues with another night of storytelling at The Bronx Museum of the Arts. Presenting will be Bronx storyteller Maria Aponte, Brooklyn storyteller Daisy Rosario, Bronx poet Pearl Quick, Brooklyn poet Tuan X, Yankees historian Tony Morante, and Brooklyn Dodgers historian Bob McGee, followed again by an open mic. Starts at 6:30 p.m. Free.

“Brooklyn Philharmonic: A Season for Love”… at the Central Library, Grand Army Plaza branch. Feb. 11.

As part of the “Music Off the Shelves” series, members and guests of the Brooklyn Philharmonic will perform music of “courtly love” with excerpts from Carol Orff’s piece “Carmina Burana.” Starts at 4 p.m. Free and open to the public. More information can be found at www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org.

Valentine’s Day crafting events at various Brooklyn Public Library branches. Specific locations have various age requirements:

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 4 to 5 p.m. (7-12 year olds), East Flatbush Library, 9612 Church Ave. at. Rockaway Pkwy.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (6-14 year olds), Canarsie Library, 1580 Rockaway Pkwy. at Ave. J.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 3:15-4:15 p.m. (children of all ages), Gravesend Library, 303 Ave. X near. W. 2nd St.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 3:45-4:30 p.m.  (teens 12-18), Kensington Library, 10 Ditmas Ave. near E. 5th St.

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