No plans? A procrastinator's guide to Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday this year, so you can bet that folks with plenty of foresight had their romantic evenings planned out weeks ago.
But if you're more of a procrastinator, you can still try to salvage your relationship and piece together a romantic Saturday for your significant other. And you can even score extra points by stretching things out to include Friday or Sunday.
Here are a few suggestions to make Valentine's Day special - and keep you out of trouble.
1. Online dining help
Technology can bail you out if you don't yet have dinner reservations. Go to opentable.com, click on Chicago and use the pulldown menu to narrow your search to specific suburban areas or city neighborhoods. Add the date and see what remains in terms of reservation times. Best part: You don't have to admit you left it to the last minute.
2. Concerts for couples
There are plenty of concerts to choose from based upon your tastes in music. Pop and rock fans can go big with arena concerts featuring Fleetwood Mac at 8 p.m. at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont ($49.50-$189.50) or Barry Manilow at 7:30 p.m. at the United Center in Chicago ($19.75-$249.75).
If concert halls are more your style, then catch the visiting Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Symphony Center in Chicago ($40-$95), or Blues at Crossroads featuring singers like Irma Thomas, Eric Krasno and more at 8 p.m. at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville ($50-$60). Or get up close in more intimate venues like the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, which hosts the rock bands Loverboy and The Romantics on the same bill at 8 p.m. ($39-$89). Another option: Elgin Community College's SecondSpace Theatre presents former "Jersey Boys" star Eric Gutman and his autobiographical musical revue "From Broadway to Obscurity" at 7 p.m. ($25).
3. Laugh it up
Virtually all Saturday shows on the three main stages of The Second City in Chicago are sold out, but the touring company brings its 55th Anniversary Show to Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn for two shows at 6 and 9 p.m. ($32-$46). A special Valentine's dinner package for "MADtv" comedian Bobby Lee at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg is mostly sold for Saturday, but spots are still available for the Friday shows at 7:30 and 10:15 p.m. ($24-$27).
4. All the world's a stage
There are lots of shows to choose from when it comes to romance. The Chicago premiere of the 2013 Broadway musical "First Date" ($59) plays at Chicago's Royal George Theatre, while Williams Street Repertory presents the revue "Married Alive!" ($32.50-$38.50) at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake. There's also a special Valentine's weekend run of the play "Love Letters" ($28-$35) at Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles.
In terms of big Broadway musicals in the suburbs, it seems that tragic love is most popular since only single Saturday seats remain for "West Side Story" ($55) at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. More readily available tickets can be found for the gender-bending romantic comedy "La Cage aux Folles" ($55) at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, or for the rocking visual spectacle of "The Who's Tommy" ($41-$54) at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.
5. Hotel getaways
Get away from it all briefly by booking Valentine's weekend packages at area hotel resorts. See if they are offering something special, like the 20-minute helicopter excursions Saturday that are part of the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills' Love in the Air Valentine's Day package for a flat $1,000.
6. Romance with dance
The Joffrey Ballet performs in the cavernous Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, so there is a great chance for available seats. Instead of a full-length story ballet this Valentine's weekend, the Joffrey Ballet presents three company premieres for its mixed repertory program "Unique Voices" ($32-$155) at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
7. Happily booked
Combine your loves of literature and moviemaking when Anderson's Bookshop hosts actor Cary Elwes at 2 p.m. at The Yellow Box auditorium at Community Christian Church in Naperville. Elwes will speak about the making of "The Princess Bride" and sign copies of his recent book called "As You Wish" before a special screening of the beloved 1980s fairy tale film. Tickets are required and available with the purchase of Elwes' book.
8. Family-friendly
Why exclude your kids with Valentine's weekend activities? Head over to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan to see the off-Broadway puppet show "John Tartaglia's Imaginocean" ($9-$12) at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Saturday.
9. Silver-screen inspiration?
The big Hollywood release for Valentine's weekend is the film adaptation of E.L. James' explicit best-selling novel "Fifty Shades of Grey." Fans of the steamy book will be able to compare and contrast just what made it into the film and couples could, um, take notes for later.
10. Romance at home
If you're on a budget, show your significant other that you care by cooking a homemade meal, watching a DVD or finding other expressive ways to share your affection.