Valentine’s Day is coming and if you are in need of some entertainment and something to do, read on. With Feb. 14 falling on a Monday, you have all weekend to check out a romantic show or visit a museum with your sweetheart. We put together a list of 10 possibilities so you’re sure to find something you love.
“Illusion of Love”: Take advantage of two-for-one admission on Valentine’s Day and immerse yourself in the Loop museum, which features exhibits that will mess with your senses and teach you the science behind holograms, kaleidoscopes, infinity tunnels and other optical illusions. You can also enjoy a little competition in the smart playroom, which offers games, puzzles and brain teasers. Museum of Illusions is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at 25 E. Washington St.; tickets $11 at 312-722-6780 and moichicago.com
“Bachelor: The Unauthorized Parody Musical”: The spoof of the hit reality TV show uses original pop-rock songs like “Sob Story” and “Two-On-One-Tango” to poke fun at fame-seeking contestants as they compete for romance. A special Valentine’s Day performance features $10 themed cocktails such as Looking for Love, a blend of chocolate vodka, peppermint schnapps and Irish cream. “Bachelor: The Unauthorized Parody Musical” is 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Apollo Theater Chicago, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave.; tickets $29-$59 at 773-935-6100 and bachelorthemusical.com
“Blues in the Night”: If Valentine’s Day has you singing the blues, check out Porchlight Music Theatre’s production of Sheldon Epps’ Tony-nominated musical. Set in the late 1930s on Chicago’s South Side, the show explores the highs and lows of romance through songs by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer and other iconic performers. “Blues in the Night” is 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Ave.; tickets $62-$74 at 773-777-9884 and porchlightmusictheatre.org
“Dances from the Heart”: Dance Chicago celebrates Valentine’s Day with their annual showcase of romantic works across styles with performers from numerous companies including Trinity Irish Dancers, Hromovytsia Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Comedy Dance Chicago. “Dances from the Heart” is 8 p.m. Saturday at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave.; tickets $43 at 312-820-6250 and athenaeumcenter.org
Love Is in the Air: Share a particularly thrilling date at the Lincoln Park indoor sky diving spot, which offers couples a package including a total of four flights with preflight training and one-on-one flight instruction. All the equipment you need is provided and you’ll get to take home personalized flight certificates and video of your time in the air. Love Is in the Air is available through Feb. 20 at iFly, 800 W. Scott St.; tickets $156 at 779-368-4359 and iflyworld.com
“Casablanca in Concert”: The 1942 drama starring Humphrey Bogart as a nightclub owner who must choose between love and virtue is widely considered one of the best films of all time. See it on a big screen with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra playing Max Steiner’s score. Come 75 minutes before the show for a conversation with conductor Richard Kaufman. “Casablanca in Concert” is 3 p.m. Sunday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets $64-$250 at 312-294-3000 and cso.org
“Gaslight” at the movies: Catch a screening of the 1944 Academy Award-nominated psychological thriller starring Ingrid Bergman as a newlywed struggling to maintain her sanity as she encounters strange happenings and begins to doubt her husband’s intentions. The movie — which gave rise to the verb “gaslight” — plays as part of “Bad Romance,” a monthlong Valentine’s Day film festival featuring portrayals of toxic and tumultuous relationships. “Gaslight” is 7 p.m. Saturday at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.; tickets $12 at 312-846-2800 and siskelfilmcenter.org/gaslight
“My Funny Valentine Standup Comedy Show”: Share some laughs with a Valentine’s Day-themed set featuring performances by comics including Abi Sanchez, winner of HBO’s 2021 Latino Stand-Up! Competition, and Last Comic Standing winner Clark Jones (Monday only). There’s a two-drink minimum, but you’ll receive two vouchers for a future show. If you really want a special night, splurge on the $250 Sweetheart Package, which includes admission for up to four people, a bottle of Champagne for the table, a chocolate rose and 10 future tickets. “My Funny Valentine Standup Comedy Show” is 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Monday at Laugh Factory Chicago, 3175 Broadway; tickets $30 at 773-327-3175 and eventbrite.com
Dinner and a show: Start your evening with a three-course dinner including your choice of a Hopvine Brewing Company signature beer or a glass of wine, beet-cured salmon with pickled vegetables, beef Wellington and a trio of truffles. Then head next door to The Bit Theater to catch “My Funny Valentine,” a fully-improvised romantic comedy. Valentine’s Day Chef’s Creation is available from 2-10 p.m. Saturday at Hopvine Brewing Co., 4030 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora and “My Funny Valentine” is 8 p.m. Saturday at The Bit Theater, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive; tickets for both are $165 per couple at 331-900-4248 or bitimprov.com
“West Side Story” in Lincolnshire: If you loved Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated version of “West Side Story,” you should be sure to catch a live performance of the classic Broadway musical. The spin on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim follows two young lovers seeking to overcome prejudice and warring gangs in 1950s New York. “West Side Story” is 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire; tickets are $50-$60 at 847-634-0200 and www.marriotttheatre.com
Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
