Stuck for inspiration, overwhelmed by apathy or simply lost and bewildered as Valentine's Day approaches? Well fret not, as this month the What's On blog takes you by the hand, leads you gently but firmly past the four foot teddy bears and other 'romantic' gumpf, and deposits you at some of the more unusual and interesting sounding events. We hope.
Perhaps it's a sad indicator of the health of our inner romantics here on the What's On desk, but some of the most exciting events for Valentine's Day involve watching the relationships of fictional characters unfold on the big screen. Because nothing says 'I love you' quite like sitting next to your other half in a darkened room and not talking to them all night. Top marks go to The Other Cinema event which is turning The Troxy into a vintage inspired Picture Palace, complete with usherettes, an organist and live performances, for screenings of Brief Encounter - an inspired choice for those looking for thwarted love, unrequited passion or simply a belter of a British classic come Valentine's Day.
Other Valentine's Day screenings are taking place at the 17th century, Grade II listed Round Chapel in Hackney, with golden oldies such as Casablanca sitting next to modern hits such as Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet on the programme. As always, the BFI Southbank can also be relied upon for something special, with the Bogart/Bacall vehicle To Have and Have Not appearing alongside Peter Weir's haunting 1975 film, Picnic at Hanging Rock. And for something a little more risque, head to the Little Shop of Horrors for a Magic Lantern show of Victorian erotica, courtesy of the Last Tuesday Society.
For those of you in search of events that require more in the way of eye contact, conversation and other forms of social interaction, the Valentine's Late at the Museum of London might well be worth considering. Tickets are only £5.00 - £6.00, and for your money you can expect Georgian dancing, mask making workshops, live music, poetry readings and more at the Pleasure Garden Ball. Meanwhile, the National History Museum is running two night safaris of its collections for both romantics and anti-romantics, and Bloomsbury Lanes is welcoming both singles and loved up couples for a night of bowling, karaoke and live music from the Congo Faith Healers. And for a double dose of pure decadence, there's the Last Tuesday Society's Orphanage Ball (masks obligatory, clothing optional), and the absinthe-fuelled Belle Epoque Club Night.
Beyond Valentine's Day, February also sees the school half term holidays roll around again. Kids will be taking over the Southbank Centre (even running the cloakroom and selling programmes), for the Imagine Children's Festival, which features a Dennis the Menace show, children's authors such as Jacqueline Wilson and Jeremy Strong, a staging of Michael Morpurgo's Private Peaceful and bingo sessions with Timberlina. Alternatively, send the kids off to a street dance course or theatre workshop at Jacksons Lane, or see the Norwich Puppet Theatre's musical retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale at the Little Angel Theatre. Families might also want to check out the new Shark Reef Encounter at the London Aquarium, or the exhibition celebrating Captain Scott's last expedition to the Antarctic at the Natural History Museum, which features a recreation of the Terra Nova hut.
Other February highlights include alternative tours of the National Portrait Gallery by Boogaloo Stu and Bourgeois and Maurice for LGBT History Month, and the underground VAULT festival in the Old Vic Tunnels, featuring silent opera, Hammer screenings, tarot readings, plays and club nights. There's also the chance to indulge in some David Lynch films throughout the month, head to a pop up cinema made from reclaimed materials from the Olympic Park, and see flamenco aplenty at Sadler's Wells. Enjoy!