Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: Heart and Soul, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St
Concert with Simon Trpčeski (SEE-mon Trrrrp’CHESky), who is a “national hero” in his native Macedonia. Grieg’s Piano Concerto is one of the most popular—and romantic—piano concertos of all time. But on Saturday, you can make it a date night. The CSO and Nicola’s have teamed up so you can enjoy a three-course meal at Nicola’s, tickets to the concert, and complimentary shuttle service before and after the concert, for $80.
Thursday, Feb. 14
Cincinnati Ballet: Romeo & Juliet
All about the romance with Cincinnati Ballet: Dinner at Arnold’s at 6 p.m., complete with a red rose at the place setting, then see Romeo & Juliet at 8 p.m. at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St. Cost is $55/person. For more information call (513) 621-5219 or visit http://www.cballet.org.
The show continues through the weekend, so still a chance to see this classic tear-jerker, but you’ll need to make dinner plans on your own.
Thursday, Feb. 14
Washington Platform
One dozen fresh shucked oysters, entree choices, soup or salad, Chocolate Covered Strawberries for dessert, a bottle of wine to share, and a half-hour hour horse drawn Elegant Carriage ride. All for $105/couple.
Making a really BIG romantic gesture? 21C Museum can help make a memorable evening even more special with their Engagement Package. You’ll enjoy champagne and flowers in your room, a $200 credit at The Spa at 21c, a rose petal turndown, and custom proposal planning. Details at www.21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati.
Also celebrate in style at the Cincinnatian Hotel, 601 Vine St. with a couple of different options, dinner at the Palace or champagne, strawberries, and breakfast. Your choice!
Celebration Package: One night accommodation (King), overnight valet parking, ½ bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries delivered to room upon arrival, $40.00 gift certificate toward breakfast at The Palace Restaurant or room service.
Gourmet Package: One night accommodation (junior suite), 2 seats at The Palace Restaurant for a 5-course dinner with wine pairings, overnight valet parking. Call (513) 381-3000 or www.cincinnatianhotel.com for more information.
Shopping – It’s the busiest day for florists! So plan early. Jones the Florist, 511 Walnut, by Fountain Square – Valentine’s arrangements now available. Call (800) 755-0528 for Cincinnati Metro delivery or visit www.jonestheflorist.com/.
Or for something extra special, you can’t go wrong at Tiffany & Co, 505 Vine St. – A selection of Valentine’s gifts for him and her. For more information call (513) 721-2022 or www.tiffany.com.
Other events, not Valentine’s Day related
Feb. 7-14: Cincinnati Beer Week
The second annual Cincinnati Beer Week is going on now, continues through next Thursday. They had such a great response last year, they’re doing it again! Various bars and restaurants in Tri-state area are part of this grassroots movement to educate, inspire and celebrate well-crafted beer. And because everyone loves beer, it’s actually an eight-day the “week”, bars, restaurants and stores all over the Greater Cincinnati become Official Cincinnati Beer Week Venues and hold special events like beer tastings, beer-pairing dinners, and brewery nights.
Events held nightly at Moerlein Lager House and Arnolds, meet other beer-lovers.
Feb. 9: Chinese New Year, 1 p.m.
Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Main Library, 800 Vine St., Downtown.
Main Library, Children's Learning Center. Celebrate with nine teachers participating in Teacher Exchange between Cincinnati and Liuzhou, China.
We will be celebrating the arrival of the new year with exchange friends from our sister city, Liuzhou, China! Together we'll play games, explore calligraphy, do the bamboo and dragon dances, and have a lot of fun to ring in the new year – the year of the Snake!
Free. www.cincinnatilibrary.org.
Saturday, Feb.9, at 9 p.m.
Bockfest Sausage Queen Contest - continues
Neons Unplugged, 208 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine.
Sure way to know that spring is coming, as Bockfest approaches. Like all pageants, this one requires the contestants to have beauty, poise, and talent – the ability to walk while carrying a tray of sausage. She (or he, it’s gender neutral now) has the honor of representing the bar where that round of competition was help AND leading the parade.
Finals will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 7P to 8:30P: Bockfest Hall at Christian Moerlein Brewery, 1619 Moore Street.
Feb. 10: Mardi Gras at the Market, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Findlay Maket, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.
Plan to spend the day at this FREE family-friendly event, enjoying four of the best bands in town and sampling a traditional lowland seafood boil. The OTR Biergarten will be open, selling Christian Moerlein beers, and Market Wines will host a special winetasting.
Merchants will decorate their stands for Mardi Gras and compete for prizes in the annual Merchant Spirit contest! This year's judges are Julie Carpenter, Betts House, Todd Bezold, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Linda Reber, Head Designer from Cappel’s!
The Friends of Findlay Market will hand out lots of colorful beads to make you feel like you're in New Orleans and the Mardi Gras King and Queen, Steve Hampton and Joy Pierson, will be crowned before leading a parade around the Market to the music of Lagniappe, Robin Lacy and DeZydeco, Ricky Nye Inc. and the Medicine Men
