If greeting card declarations and cheap chocolate hearts aren’t going to cut it this Valentine’s Day, here are some ideas for sparking romance.
Wine & Roses
>> Pick up an American Beauty for your beauty at the Honolulu Rose Society’s Annual Rose and Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the University of Hawaii Urban Garden Center in Pearl City. While you’re there, stroll hand in hand through the Rose Garden where 70-plus varieties are on display. In addition to potted roses, the sale offers herbs, ornamentals, bamboo, fruit trees and UH seeds. Cost: free admission. The garden is at 955 Kamehameha Highway; 453-6050.
>> You don’t have to be a Da Vinci to create a masterpiece of love at paint-and-sip events happening throughout the week. Artistic guidance and supplies included. These events fill up fast, so reserve your seat now.
Wine & Design is hosting love-themed sessions at its 25 N. King St. studio throughout the week, including a “Gal-entine’s” paint party for besties at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Cost: $40 per person. Check the schedule and sign up at wineanddesign.com or call 726-2910.
At 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pop Art Style Paint Your Date class at Wine & Design, couples can paint portraits of each other — no peeking until it’s over. A glass of wine, light pupu, cups and bottle openers are provided, and you’re welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks and snacks. Cost: $75 per couple; advance payment required.
Over at Painting With a Twist in Kakaako, most of the Valentine’s-themed sessions are sold out, but it’s not too late for this week’s Date Night on Winey Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.; the subject is “Sunset in Paradise.” This is not a BYOB event, but beer and wine will be available for purchase. Cost: $45 per person.
If family anchors the love in your household, think about signing up for the Family Day class at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. “Love Anchor” is the artwork du jour, suitable for ages 7 and older. Cost: $35.
Painting With a Twist is at 320 Ward Ave., Suite 114; 495-4816; paintingwithatwist.com.
Rom-com flashbacks
>> If your idea of a romantic evening is cuddling on the couch with the TV remote, then get cozy with an unusual Valentine’s-themed hour on “Hawaii Five-0,” airing at 8 p.m. Friday on CBS. A pair of homicides involving marital infidelity gets Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) and the “Five-0” team reminiscing about disastrous dates — because that’s what you do when you’re trying to solve a double murder. Can’t tell you why celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto makes a cameo in “Hoa ‘inea” (“Misery Loves Company”), but we found a clue in a publicity shot showing the always-smooth Capt. Lou Grover (Chi McBride) feeding sushi to his lady love (Michelle Hurd).
>> Turn up your shirt collar and push up your jacket sleeves for the special 30th-anniversary screening of “Pretty in Pink,” at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 17 at Dole Cannery Stadium 18. Cost: $13. John Hughes penned this bittersweet 1986 rom-com featuring the adorable Molly Ringwald as Andie, the quirky high school girl from the wrong side of town who is wooed by Andrew McCarthy’s wealthy heartthrob, Blane. Their budding relationship is threatened by the snobby rich-kids clique and James Spader’s feathered locks. The pitch-perfect post-punk, new-wave soundtrack features the Psychedelic Furs, the Rave-ups, New Order, the Smiths and others.
For added value, this special screening promises to reveal an alternate ending “that would have changed everything.” Lucky Duckie?
The sound of love
Need help saying “I love you”? Let some of the world’s most swoon-worthy music do the sweet talkin’ for you.
>> Specializing in operatic arias and Broadway love songs, New Zealand trio Sol3 Mio — Samoan tenors (and brothers) Pene and Amitai Pati and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay — will make its Hawaii debut at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Cost: $39-$95. Ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849.
>> It’s undeniable that you should be together with soulful singer Brian McKnight for his Blaisdell Arena concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at Blaisdell Arena. It’s a double date, with the sizzlin’ En Vogue also on the bill. Cost: $49-$139. Ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849.
>> Play it cool with Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater at Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, with sets at 7 and 9:30 p.m. today through Sunday. Cost: $35 to $55 (kamaaina discount available) plus minimum $10 food/beverage purchase per person. Full dinner available; validated parking at Ohana East. Bluenotehawaii.com; 777-4890.
>> If yours is a romance for the ages, then enjoy the timeless mirth and magic of Hawaii Opera Theatre’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” based on the Shakespeare rom-com with music by Benjamin Britten. Daniel Bubeck and Anne Carolyn Bird sing the lead roles, with performances at 8 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Cost: $34-$135. Ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849.
>> Surveys show that a sense of humor is a much-desired trait in partners, so yuk it up with your sweetheart at Frank De Lima’s “Love, Frank” Valentine’s Day brunch show Sunday at the Pagoda’s C’est Si Bon. Yes, there will be music in the form of the comic’s trademark song parodies. Doors open at 10 a.m. for buffet, show at noon. Cost: $55 adults, $25 keiki ages 5 to 8. Call 948-8370.
Shut up and dance
>> Because you’re never too old and it’s never too early in the day to take a spin on the dance floor, drop by the Seniors Valentine’s Day Dance from 9 a.m. to noon today at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. “Sweethearts” representing Oahu’s senior clubs and organizations will grace the opening ceremony of this annual event, sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation and Bank of Hawaii. You don’t need to be a club member to participate; all are welcome. Cost: free.
>> Acid Wash, the now-defunct ’80s-inspired nightclub party in Chinatown, presents a 10th Anniversary + 80s Valentines Prom return engagement starting at 9 p.m. Friday at the Hawaii Events Center, 985 Dillingham Blvd. Music by DJs Nocturna, G-Spot and Vegas Mike. And don’t forget to wear your acid-wash jeans to this one-night-only event. Cost: $5 in advance, $10 at the door (free admission before 10 p.m.). Ages 21 and older. hawaiieventscenter.com, 591-3500.
>> Relive the glory days of R&B with Motown Valentines 5, a live tribute featuring a “superband” of 20 isle singers including Tantra, Big Mox, Erin Smith, Candy Diaz, Erika Elona, DeAndre Brackensick, Riya Davis and others, accompanied by a horn section, backup singers and more, performing classic hits such as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “You Really Got a Hold on Me.” Also featuring Kings of Spade, Yoza and Melodie Soul & the Blue Light Funk Band. The show starts at 9 p.m. Sunday; ages 18 and older. Cost: $20 in advance. Buy tickets at jointherepublik.com and Local Motion stores. The Republik is at 1349 Kapiolani Blvd., 941-7469.
Counterprogramming
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. It can also be a time for singles to seek out a soul mate — or just someone to hang out with — and for the lovelorn to exorcise their exes.
>> Dip your toe in the dating pool at the Sexy Singles Sparkling Sunday from noon to sunset at the Modern Honolulu’s Sunset Pool. This pool party hosted by RoxyOTM features DJs Luna and SuperCW, with special guest Bender (the Rooftop Boys) from New York. Sip Belaire sparkling rose while noshing on delectables from the new pool menu. Ages 21 and older. Cost: $10 entry. For daybed reservations and other VIP treatment, email daybedreservations@themodernhonolulu.com.
>> Add new names and faces to your “friends” list at the Valentine’s Meet & Greet mixer from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at The Willows. The restaurant’s cascading waterfalls, lush tropical gardens and casual atmosphere make an ideal setting for this new no-pressure social event, which includes wine tasting, pupu, “speed meeting” exercises, prize giveaways and a pep talk by life coach David Tasaka.
Ages 21 and older. Cost: $30 at the door plus $3 valet parking. The Willows is at 901 Hausten St., 952-9200, willowshawaii.com.
>> Shred ’em and forget ’em at Hooters on V-Day. Bring in photos of your ex, put them through a shredder and start the first day of the rest of your life with 10 free chicken wings (with purchase of 10 wings). The deal is good throughout the day at the Aloha Tower Marketplace restaurant; 524-4668.
Because, um, chocolate
Madre Chocolate’s classes are the perfect pairing with Valentine’s Day.
>> Raise your romance IQ at the “Wine and Chocolate Pairing” session at 7 p.m. Friday at the chocolatier’s Kailua studio at 20 Kainehe St., Sunday at 4 p.m. Cost: $43.19.
>> Madre teams up with Lanikai Brewing Co. for chocolate and beer tastings, including a limited-release chocolate ale made with Madre cacao. The event takes place at the microbrewery, 175 Hamakua Drive in Kailua. Cost: $53.74.
Buy tickets for both events at eventbrite.com or call 377-6440.
If you can’t make it to the classes, enjoy a 10 percent discount on Madre’s artisan, bean-to-bar chocolate through Valentine’s Day, both at the Kailua location and the downtown shop at 8 N. Pauahi St. See coupon on Facebook or visit madrechocolate.com.
