Van Morrison music. One bubble for two. Rom-Coms and popcorn, waltzes and cha chas or a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
COVID-19 can’t keep Cupid out this Valentine’s Day weekend as the eternal spring of love is filled with romantic date ideas even during a local pandemic.
In one of the few cases where social distancing isn’t encouraged, lovebirds celebrate V-Day in a variety of ways.
Some last minute ideas for couples who are still looking:
Put your arm around her
Do you remember going to cinemas?
They still exist in places like the Indie Tull Family Theater, which runs a number of romantic comedies today through February 18, including “When Harry Met Sally,” “Love & Basketball,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” and ” PS I Love You “” and of course “Valentine’s Day.” For serious romance with a tear or two there is always “The Notebook”.
Required masks, socially segregated seating, and intensive disinfection by the Sewickley Theater ensure the safety of moviegoers and staff.
Go dancing
Swing And More, a local dance group, is hosting a Valentine’s Day dance Sunday at the Independence Township Community Center.
Couples can learn swing dancing from 4.30pm to 5pm.
From 5 to 6 p.m., slow dance tips are given.
Then it’s an open dance from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with DJ Mark playing music for a variety of dances including waltzes, bustle, cha chas, and some line dances.
Tickets are $ 15 per person, but beginners get $ 12. Tickets can be bought at the door.
Swing And More boss Matt Williams said he planned dances like this because he knows that a lot of people with no social engagement were depressed.
“I just want to give people something to do,” said Williams.
People’s temperatures are measured at the door, and dancers are advised to clean their hands between dances.
Water and snacks are free. Minton’s Valley Boys Pizzeria & Diner also sells off-menu items.
Call 724-651-7771 if you have any questions.
Silly love songs
Fellas, your lady loves to laugh, so take her Friday to the Dueling Piano Show with Joey Granati and Pete Moran at Spanky D’s Restaurant and Boat Yard Bar in Bridgewater.
Granati and Moran, piano aces from places like Charlie Murdoch’s and Sing Sing, will amuse and surprise with a special Valentine’s Day show that starts at 8 p.m. with no cover, just a tip glass.
“Better to have loved and seen the dueling pianos this Friday than never to have loved – and not have seen it at all,” said Moran. “You don’t want to miss out on love, so you definitely don’t want to miss the dueling piano show that is inspired by the power of love.”
At least one guest musician will be performing, Pittsburgh’s nationally known saxophonist Kenny Blake, who recorded with Granati’s brother David Granati in his Maplewood studio in Ambridge.
Sitting is socially distant and you must wear a mask when entering or strolling to the toilet.
Jazzy love songs
Lisa Jay & The TriO will host a Valentine’s Day love song concert on Saturday at the Iron Horse Community Theater in Ambridge.
And it’s a streaming concert, so it’s safe to snuggle up at home while listening to the local jazz / pop / adult contemporary quartet seductively performing jazz standards from the American Songbook and jazz-style pop arrangements.
Van Morrison, Diana Krall, Adele, Stevie Wonder, the Beatles and Ella Fitzgerald are all on the setlist for a show that will be streamed on YouTube from 8 p.m. The link can be found on the Iron Horse website at ironhorsetheatre.com
Bubbling in the bladder
Kelly’s Riverside Saloon in Bridgewater has achieved success with its four alfresco dining fountains – clear, propane-heated seat pods that allow al fresco dining with views of the Beaver River.
With special Valentine’s Day weekend menus such as Surf & Turf and Champagne, the smallest of these Kelly bubbles is a romantic place for two.
Bubble reservations are $ 15.
“That helps us to cover the costs,” said Kelly’s manager Amanda Yerage. “We don’t make any money with it, it just lets us heat up so you can sit comfortably, have fun and enjoy the ambience. It’s right on the river bank, so it’s beautiful. Even when it’s snowing, it’s literally like a snow globe. We sanitize them in between every party that comes in. They’re great, super cool. “
More:Alone But Not Lonely: A Guide to Celebrating Valentine’s Day Single
On Saturday at Kelly’s, a virtual Cupid’s Undies Run will be held in the Irish pub inside the bar at 3 p.m. to raise money for neurofibromatosis, a disorder that can cause tumors to grow anywhere on or in the body and be fatal .
Last year Kelly’s took a busload of people to downtown Pittsburgh for the Cupid Undies Run for Valentine’s Day, where people took off their underwear and ran a mile to raise money for charity. This year’s outdoor event has been canceled due to COVID-19, although Kelly’s staff will be running an online version with an obstacle course, games and specialty drinks.
Carriage ride
Shakespeare’s Restaurant & Pub has hired two horse-drawn carriages from Misty Lane Farms to take guests on a romantic ride past the cast-like restaurant in North Sewickley Township.
You must reserve your carriage ride at 724-421-9212. Some dinner reservations remain at 724-752-4653 this weekend.
Your fine
Many local restaurants advertise special Valentine’s Day weekend menus.
Lobster will be a major attraction at places like Quality Time & Carry Out in New Brighton (lobster ravioli), Jackson’s Restaurant + Bar in Center Township (lobster flatbread), and Harold’s Inn in Hopewell Township (lobster combo).
The Farm to Fork Cafe & Catering in Chippewa serves duck l’orange and raw oysters (an aphrodisiac, some say).
More:PA Breweries: Impress your sweetheart with beers inspired by Valentine’s Day
Altered Genius Brewing in Ambridge is hosting its first Valentine’s Day brunch Sunday with Benedict eggs, smoked salmon and BeerMosas.
And of course, practically every bakery in the region has special Valentine’s Day sweets for your sweetheart
Whether you’re shopping for a takeout meal this Valentine’s Day weekend or dining in a socially distant setting, you’ll find a little love for your favorite local restaurant as it tries to recover from a troubled 2020 year.
Scott Tady is the local entertainment reporter for The Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger. He can be easily reached at stady@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @scotttady
Comments are closed.