Whether you’re celebrating with your kids, your friends, your bestie, or your sweetie, here are a bunch of ways to feel the love over the coming week.
Thursday, February 8th • Sweetheart Serenade. Local musicians offer songs of love and Valentines at the coffee house. 7 p.m., Uptown Bill’s, Iowa City. (319) 339-0804.
Sat-Sunday, February 10th–11th • Orchid Fest. Inhale the ethereal beauty of a variety of exotic orchids. The Central Iowa Orchid Society will answer questions about growing orchids. Visitors can also discover live butterflies from around the globe in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing and explore the tropical Hughes Conservatory. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., Ames. (515) 294-2710. $8 admission.
Saturday, February 10th • Valentine’s Cabaret: Sixty Shades Freed: A Burlesque Edition. Hear classic love songs, enjoy cheeky choreography, and stick around for a dance party hosted by DJ Camille afterwards. Presented by the Feist Club Burlesque Troupe. 9 p.m., The Arbor, Fairfield. (641) 209-1821.
Sat-Sun, February 10th–11th • Wine & Chocolate Pairing. Four Tassel Ridge wines are paired with four chocolates from Chocolaterie Stam. 10 a.m-6 p.m. Sat. and 12-6 p.m. Sunday, Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton. (641) 672-9463.
Saturday, February 10th • Chocoholic Frolic. Sample delectable treats throughout the shops in downtown Burlington. 2–5 p.m., Burlington. GreaterBurlington.com.
Saturday, February 10th • Valentine Tea Party. Take your special someone to a Valentine-themed British low tea. Learn about the history of Valentine’s Day and create your own flowers and Valentines. 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Snowden House, Waterloo. GroutMuseumDistrict.org.
Saturday, February 10th • Valentine Vendor & Craft Show. 34 vendors and crafters offer some sweet deals. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Best Western, Fairfield. Rhondat52556@gmail.com.
Saturday, February 10th • Valentine’s Wine Dinner. Includes wine tasting, dinner, and wine paired with each course. 6-9 p.m. Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton. (641) 672-9463. Reserve by Feb. 8.
Saturday, February 10th • Annual Smooth Jazz Valentine Concert. Featuring soulful R&B singer Selina Albright. 7:30 p.m., River Music Experience, Davenport. (563) 326-1333, ext. 102.
Wednesday, February 14th • Farm-to-Table Valentine’s Day Dinner. Samuel Charles and Phoebe Adolphson of Kitchen Counter LLC prepare a multi-course menu of local, sustainable, and humane foods. 5:30–9 p.m., Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids. (319) 362-0664.
Wednesday, February 14th • The Sweetheart Saloon. With performances by Annie Savage, the Savage Hearts, and more. 7 p.m., Wildwood Smokehouse and Saloon, Walleye Dr. SE, Iowa City. (319) 333-1750.
Wednesday, February 14th • Dublin Irish Dance. Irish story, dance, song, and play. The all-star cast includes Anthony Fallon’s troupe of Irish step dancers and a full band. 7:30 p.m., Burlington Memorial Auditorium, Burlington. BurlCivicMusic.com.
Wednesday, February 14th • Turnpike Troubadors. Country band from Oklahoma rocks hard with a burning fiddle and guitar. 7:30 p.m., U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids. (319) 362-1729.
Wednesday, February 14th • Karaoke at Dicks. 9 p.m., Dick’s Tap & Shake Room, Cedar Rapids. DicksTapandShake.com.
Wednesday, February 14th • Valentine’s Day Dinner. Three gourmet courses. Cedar Ridge Distillery, Swisher, Iowa. 5-9 p.m. Cedar Ridge Distillery, Swisher, Iowa. (319) 857-4300. Limited seating.
Thursday, February 15th • Valentine Moonlight Walk & Indoor Music. Stroll outside on a luminary-lit trail, then warm up by the fire with donuts and cider. With music by Just4Fun and contra dancing. All ages, no date necessary! 6:30 p.m., Black Hawk State Historic Site, Rock Island, Illinois. BlackHawkPark.org.
Fri-Sat 16th–17th • Tales From the Writer’s Room: XOXO. SPT Theater presents a night of fresh love-themed sketches and music. 8 p.m., CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids. LegionArts.org.