Been too busy to plan a show-stopping Valentine’s Day night out with your sweetheart, and now in panic mode to figure something out? Sick and tired of the typical mucho-dinero “romantic dinner” thing? Majorly screwed up in your relationship recently and it’s only now just dawned on you that a spectacular, unforgettable Valentine’s Day could be just what Cupid ordered to repair all the damage you’ve done and restore that sweet, loving bliss?
Fear not, for this list is replete with last-minute, out-of-the-ordinary Valentine’s Day Events on Long Island that are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on your loved one! From succulent Shrimp Nibblers by candlelight at White Castle and transcendental insights about love to communal mass protests and even a brokenhearted bar crawl, there’s no doubt that participation in any of these happenings will be sure to make this year’s Valentine’s Day go down in your sweetheart’s book as truly unforgettable!
Paint & Prosecco
Prove your love with this romantic twist on “Sip & Paints” as you and your sweetheart create a shared portrait of an inviting tropical island paradise, complete with swaying palm trees and a melting setting sun! You’ll both paint one side of the overall image, titled “Paradise Cove”—creating a museum-worthy masterpiece when merged together! Dessert, as well as a complimentary glass of prosecco will be waiting for the lovebird-artistes once finished, and guests are also welcome to bring their own special feasts to enjoy during the session! Check out this Guide to Long Island “Sip & Paint” and “Paint Night” Venues for additional wine-inspired misadventures, too! Pinot’s Palette, 61 W. Main St., Bay Shore. 631-446-4777. pinotspalette.com $48. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Editorial Cartoon Exhibit
Wait—politics? On Valentine’s Day? Please, if ever there was a day for a reprieve, it’s this one. Well these aren’t talking heads, nor dissertations about the latest executive order, by any stretch of the imagination. This exhibit exemplifies how artists can breathe life into topical subjects of the day through visual interpretations bound to inform and inspire. Romantic? Sure, especially for those out there who’ve been glued to the television since November, or those who’ve since discovered an inner thirst for public participation, organization, and perhaps, revolt (the Women’s March, anyone?).
This phenomenal exhibit features works by award-winning editorial cartoonists including Walt Handelsman, Steve Kelley, Matt Davies and Signe Wilkinson, as well as historical works from Thomas Nast. If you opt for the less-intellectual option, a candlelight dinner, perhaps, instead, know that it runs through March 12 and is titled “Political Slant II: Editorial Cartoons.” Hofstra University Museum, David Filderman Gallery, 112 Hofstra University, Hempstead. 516-463-5672. Free. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Planets & Moon Viewing
There are a constant barrage of unseen forces pushing and pulling all matter in this universe, from the immeasurable draw of our nearest star, the Sun, to the magnetic fields permeating our precious Earth’s inner core and poles. Poets and star-crossed lovers throughout the ages have, in perhaps fewer and much more eloquent worlds than these, written and spoken and sung about the all-dominating force tugging at humans since the dawn of time: love. True, the gravity of one’s own heart and eternal yearning for another, reciprocal magnetism is perhaps greater than all the forces throughout this vast universe, combined. Whoa.
This otherworldly Valentine’s Day event enables those in attendance to discover this deeper, invisible gravitation, as well as those massive orb-like spheres silently encircling our world: the planets, including Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn—and possibly, the International Space Station! It also gives couples the chance to telescopically magnify that omnipresent celestial body that’s been artists’ muse throughout the eons, too: the moon. There will also be a quick astronomy class involved!
Experience these timeless enigmatic creations together, as one, and unleash your eternal love throughout the heavens! If this Valentine’s Day is not weather-permitting, fear not, this intergalactic masterpiece of illuminating hearts continues through May 1! Northport Harbor Park, bottom end of Main Street at Woodbine Avenue, Northport. More information: sidewalktelescopeviewing 631-486-4818. 7:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Free.
Anti-Valentine’s Day Bar Crawl
Celebrate the fleeting emotions and banal insignificance of love and relationships while tossing back endless beverages and conversing with equally jaded broken-hearted vagabonds on this truly unforgettable crusade through some of Patchogue’s best bars and pubs. True, this intoxicating event perhaps belongs more so on a Valentine’s Day Events for Long Island Singles list, but couples can surely crash it to bestow the intimate knowledge of relationship bliss with the frustrated heathens crying in their beers all night throughout this trek! True love, indeed! Meet at Roast Coffee & Tea Trading Company, 41 E. Main St., Patchogue. roast.coffee 631-207-1000. $15 ADV/$20 DOS. 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Buddha’s Modern Relationship Prescription
Money? A fancy car? Lotsa bling-bling? Love permeates the materialism of this realm and radiates from our very souls. Bring your honey bear to this intimate, transcendental experience, and learn from the experts the true, deeper meaning of Valentine’s Day, as well as insights on how Buddha viewed relationships. Guaranteed to open the eyes, ears and hearts of all those star-crossed romantics in attendance, and also bring you closer to the genuine divinity of existence! Kadampa Meditation Center Long Island, 282 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-549-1000. meditationonlongisland.org $15. 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Protests For Love: ‘Protect Our Care’ & ‘Love Fights Back’
Sponsored by Long Island Progressive Coalition, Long Island Activists, the New York State Nurses Association and 1199SEIU (United Healthcare Workers East), bask in the all-enveloping love derived from exercising your constitutional rights to dissent at either of three simultaneous Valentine’s Day actions to tell Reps. Lee Zeldin and Peter King to “have a heart and save our healthcare.” Dubbed “Protect Our Care,” activists and community groups will be delivering a special Valentine’s Day card to Zeldin’s Patchogue office, and those who can’t physically make the rally are encouraged to participate by either creating and emailing along your own digital Valentine, to be printed and delivered for you, or sharing your healthcare story telling the lawmakers why the Affordable Care Act is important to you and your family via a video, to be posted on groups’ Facebook pages! Congressman Lee Zeldin’s Office, 31 Oak St., Patchogue. zeldin.house.gov Noon – 1 p.m.
Following the Valentine’s Day delivery to Rep. Zeldin’s office, protestors can hop on the LIRR to join yet another demonstration in Manhattan at Foley Square dubbed “Love Fights Back: Rally For #ImmigrantNY,” the New York Immigration Coalition will stand alongside other concerned groups and New Yorkers to show their love and solidarity with “immigrant communities who are under attack!” Foley Square, 111 Worth St., New York, NY. 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Classical Ballet Class
Anyone who’s ever been in a long-term relationship knows that it takes a great deal of communication to make it all work, and that alone, we may stumble, but that together, as one, we may discover true grace. Well, relationships share some of the fundamentals of dance. This extraordinary class by instructor Nora Goodman—who’s highly trained in classical ballet, modern and Irish Step dance—will help couples not only discover the untapped talents residing within themselves, but the meticulously choreographed beauty of all relationships—as dance serves as the perfect vehicle for cooperation, collaboration and trust between partners.
Who knows—this first foray into ballet may inspire couples to return again and again, as these sessions continue throughout June 13! The Ballet Center, 1863 Pond Rd., Ronkonkoma. 631-737-1964. theballetcenter.org $20. 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
White Castle Valentine’s Day Sizzlin’ Spectacular
Forget those fancy high-end steakhouses and hosh-posh bistros serving insanely expensive snacks that have been booked up for weeks leading up to this Valentine’s Day, anyway. Head to White Castle and enjoy their addictive burgers in scintillating style, while making forever memories to be shared for a lifetime. Now in its 26th year, the popular go-to spot for those smooth, delicious sliders is yet again offering a special Valentine’s Day experience for all couples looking for romantic meat-and-cheese bliss. Tables will be draped in pink and red, with various loving decorations. Diners can share these scrumptious meals over candlelight, as tableside service takes your orders.
No Valentine’s Day would be complete without some quality photos and Shrimp Nibblers! White Castle. Multiple Locations. whitecastle.com Regular menu process. 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
