Everyone in L.A. knows that Valentine’s Day is the worst traffic day of the year, but since it’s a Saturday this year, maybe it won’t be so bad? There are plenty of ways to feel the love for the special people, romantic or otherwise, in your life this weekend, from the literal (a matchmaking festival) to the philanthropic (a fundraiser for Minnesota’s restaurants).
If you, like me, refuse to go out on Valentine’s, you could do the most romantic thing possible — and by that, of course, I mean get a head start on your taxes. It’s going to rain anyway. Libraries around the area are hosting free tax prep and filing clinics; find one here.
After crunching some numbers, you’re going to have to dance it all out, whether that’s to the oldies with The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz at the Cerritos Center on Friday, or to indie darlings Pearl and the Oysters at Scribble or British post-punks Dry Cleaning at the Wiltern, the latter two also on Friday. On Saturday, you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with synthpop trio Nuovo Testamento at the Roxy or at Aloe Blacc’s final Blue Note show. Finally, since it’s a three-day weekend, you can stay up late on Sunday at the Forum with Cardi B or at Largo with Suzanne Vega. You can find more music picks over at Licorice Pizza.
Elsewhere on LAist, you can learn how the L.A. Conservancy is tracking Altadena’s historic sites for the first time and grab a ticket for Sunday’s Go Fact Yourself Live with Dree Hemingway and Eric Winter.
Events
Attune Sound and Light Experience
Saturday, February 14, 4:30 p.m.
Various locations
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
It's almost impossible to miss the latest installation from NOW Art — the public art collective will launch sound and light experiences across multiple L.A. and Long Beach locations on Valentine’s Day, featuring works from artists like Sarah Rara, Odeya Nini, L. Frank and more, all focused on the theme of “Amplify Love.”
Wild Mushroom Fair
Sunday, February 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ayres Hall at the L.A. County Arboretum
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
COST: FREE WITH ARBORETUM ADMISSION ($18); MORE INFO
Celebrate the mighty mushroom at the Arboretum’s annual Wild Mushroom Fair. Aside from having the BEST poster for your favorite college kid’s dorm room, this event is for all my mycelium fiends and Michael Pollan fans out there. Whether your taste is magic or morel, you’re sure to meet some fungis. Come on, it’s Valentine’s weekend, after all.
Dudamel Conducts Beethoven and Lorenz
Friday through Sunday, February 13 to 15
L.A. Phil
111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown L.A.
COST: FROM $112; MORE INFO
Dudamel, Beethoven, Cate Blanchett, Jeremy O. Harris — need I go on? These heavy hitters are all on hand for Harris' new interpretation of Goethe’s Enlightenment tale, Egmont, narrated by Blanchett, and with the Beethoven score sure to be a jewel in the crown of Dudamel’s final L.A. Phil season. The program also includes the world premiere of Ricardo Lorenz’s Humboldt’s Nature and Yunchan Lim performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto. If you’re the flexible schedule type, there’s even an 11 a.m. performance on Friday.
Altadena Walk Club
Saturday, February 15, 9:30 a.m.
Meet at Unincorporated Coffee
3045 Lincoln Ave., Altadena
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Celebrate Altadena’s rebirth with a walk that ends in coffee — the best kind of walk. Bring your dog, your friends, your kids — it’s all ages, all abilities and all caffeine levels.
Hard to Read
Sunday, February 15, 6 p.m. to late
Variety Arts Theater
940 S. Figueroa St., Downtown L.A.
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Taking place within the immersive art installation What a Wonderful World (on through March 20 — more on that soon, watch this space!), this event is a roaming night of live activations and readings staged throughout the spaces of the historic Variety Arts Theater. There will be performances by 10 different artists, an all-ages coloring space and much more.
L.A. Matchmaking Festival
Saturday, February 14, 12 p.m.
Benny Boy Brewing
1821 Daly St., Lincoln Heights
COST: FREE; MORE INFO
If you’re single and ready to mingle (sorry guys, I’ve been out of this game a while), the Next Fun Thing folks are hosting a huge (and free!) Matchmaking Festival for Valentine’s Day (not awkward at all, promise). There are tons of events for whatever you and your potential sweetheart are into, from an oyster-and-cider pairing to an apple-pie-eating contest to, ahem, a banana condom relay. Love is in the air!
L.A. Loves MN fundraiser
Saturday, February 14
Now Serving
727 N Broadway, #133, Chinatown
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Show your support for our friends in Minneapolis at the L.A. Loves MN fundraiser at Now Serving, the cookbook shop in Chinatown. The “ultimate baker’s box” full of treats from local pastry chefs will be available for pickup; orders open on Feb. 11. Donations will be shared between Haven Watch and @thesaltcurefund, which provides emergency grants to restaurants in Minnesota.
Tiana Gee x Maydan Market
Through early March
Maydan Market
4301 W. Jefferson Blvd., West Adams
COST: VARIES; MORE INFO
Chef Tiana Gee of Filipino/soul food fusion pop-up SoulPhil is bringing a limited-time residency to the new Maydan Market in West Adams. Timed to coincide with Black History Month, L.A. native Gee will serve up adobo short ribs, coco nana pudding, cornbread and more reflecting her Black and Filipino heritage at the Club 104 space.
