Best bets for Valentine’s Day events in Dallas-Fort Worth

by Shannon Sutlief

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There's plenty to do for those feeling sweet or sour.

Valentine's Day: You either love it or hate it -- or love someone who loves it. Whether you think it's an excuse to enact some Champagne and Shakespeare sonnet-fueled fantasy or find it as titillating as February's other holidays -- Groundhog Day and Presidents Day -- we've got an event for you. And none require a heart-shaped box of chocolates or a dozen roses. Not convinced? Stay home and watch Ink Master on Spike. Ah, tattoos. Now there's a relationship that (usually) lasts forever.

Photo by Elliott Muñoz

Dude Sweet chocolate

Beer and Chocolate Tasting: This might be able to win over even the most anti-Valentine's Day people. There will be treats from Dude, Sweet Chocolate; 10 beers from Ginger Man; and no mention of Cupid or cuddling. Entry is $35 in advance or $40 at the February 11 event. Call 214-754-8771 for reservations. The Fort Worth and Plano locations are having similar tastings.

Valentine's Day Couples Partner Yoga: Some might say the best part of couples yoga is the closeness. I say it's having someone with whom to giggle like naughty schoolboys at the pose names. C'mon, downward-facing dog? Cow face pose? Plow pose? Just be sure to pull it together for corpse pose. Nobody likes a noisy corpse. Spouses, partners, significant others, and friends are welcome at the February 10 class at Transform U Fitness. Admission is $55 per twosome and includes chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne.

M-Line Trolley Valentine Delight: What makes alternative modes of transportation so romantic? While I can't explain horse-drawn carriages, hot air balloons, or tandem bicycles, the M-Line Trolley is an easy one. For Valentine's Day, it will be re-branded as Streetcar Named Desire and take passengers to three McKinney Avenue restaurants for one course each. Malai Kitchen will serve appetizers, Perry's will make the entrees, and Bread Winners handles dessert. Hop on the trolley February 9 near the Cityplace DART Station.

Love Bugs: Does insect reproduction get you hot? If not, then you're not alone. If so, then -- well -- you're also not alone. Join Texas Discovery Gardens and other bug-lovin' lovers for a talk about insect behavior and reproduction with entomologist John Watts on February 14. Wine and cheese will be served. Advance registration is required and costs $25 per person or $40 per couple.

Thin Line Film Fest's Shorts Block #5 (Love): Love is the topic of the short films included in this Valentine's Day program. But none tell stereotypical tales. There's the love of rubber ducks, a long-distance Internet romance, and the escapades of Bobbie Staff, "the lesbian Hugh Hefner." This Thin Line Film Fest show is February 14 at the Campus Theatre.

Bitter Dinner: This is not a Pity Party for the unhappily single to mingle. The Fort Worth Zoo's "offbeat Valentine's Day party" is open to those 21 and up who are unattached, wanting a girls/guys night out, are in a couple, or are just bitter they didn't get on the list for the more chipper Penguin Party. There will be food and drinks, an interactive game show, and visits from some of the zoo's animals. The reservation deadline for the February 10 event is February 7. Admission is $55.

Vetro founder David Gappa

Hot Date Night: Vetro Glassblowing Studio and Gallery's annual Valentine's Day event is definitely the hottest date night around temperature-wise. The rest is up to you, lovebirds. For $125, couples will work with Vetro's glass artists to make flower and heart-shaped works, which will be fired in a 2,000-degree furnace. Wine and hors d'oeuvres are included. Reservations are required by February 12 for the February 13 and February 14 sessions. Or just make a heart or flower during Traditional Valentine Experience on February 4, 11, and 12.

Comedy: Do couples who laugh together really stay together? And are comedy clubs secretly testing that theory when they include tickets to a future show in their special event packages? Besides a comedy show and the obligatory ticket to a future comedy show, Ad-Libs' Valentine's Day Laugh-Lovers Package Show includes two drink tickets, a split-bottle of champagne, and a pasta buffet dinner for $60 per person. And Backdoor Comedy's Valentine's Day Comedy Celebration includes a glass of champagne and a box of chocolates for $28 per person. Aaron Aryanpur headlines two shows on February 11, and Paul Varghese gets top billing on the two February 14 performances.

Garden Cafe

Poetry: Romeo, oh, Romeo -- leave the poems to the pros. If your beloved requires more lines than a Hallmark card can contain, make reservations for Strawberries and Sonnets at Fort Worth's Pantagleize Theatre. For $14 each, receive romantic rhymes and delicious desserts. Garden Cafe will offer a five-course meal and an open mic during Valentine's Day Dinner and Poetry Party on February 14. Dinner and a show is $45.

Haunted houses: Sweethearts don't fare well in horror movies. It's especially risky if they get caught being frisky. Try your luck when two haunted houses open the evening of Valentine's Day. Cutting Edge Haunted House in Fort Worth will have Twisted Love, during which guests must navigate the attraction using only candlelight. Moxley Manor Haunted House in Bedford will also be open. Its Valentine's Day Massacre is open February 11 in addition to February 14.