Valentine’s Day is a divisive holiday. A lot of people dread it like the plague, but some adore it, even though it is clearly a capitalist plot to get us all to buy stuff. Too often, Valentine’s Day is marketed only to folks in relationships. Boo to that! There are a lot of great ways to embrace the holiday in the Twin Cities if you’re single.
Catch a Flick
The lobby at Trylon Cinema. (Sean McPherson / City Cast)
Our Instagram friend Terri suggested going to see a movie solo, and that is spot on. Taking in a film is not only a great way to treat yourself, but maybe you can also manifest the love you want in your life with the film you choose. There are plenty of options in the Twin Cities this week! On Friday, Trilingua Cinema is showing the stone-cold '90s classic “The Bodyguard” with a friendship/dating mixer an hour before the screening. 🎶 In Whitney Houston’s voice: “I-ee-I, will always love that.” Il Cinema Ritrovato is also rolling out some classic films from Italy for a run this weekend at The Walker Art Center and The Main Cinema, including a trifecta of queer romance movies running on Valentine’s Day. And if you are looking to boost your yearn, look no further than the theatrical release of Wuthering Heights this Friday.
Throw Yourself a Party
Get yourself a friend like Tiffany Bui. She is a creative producer here at City Cast Twin Cities, but she clearly moonlights as an amazing party planner. Valentine’s is her favorite holiday, and it showed last year when she threw a really awesome Galentine’s Party. She kicked things off with a big vegetarian-friendly takeout order from one of the finest Thai establishments in the Twin Cities, On’s Kitchen. With the table set for pad thai and spring rolls, she then gifted every guest a cosmetic mirror from Etsy with the guest’s name engraved on the mirror in the color of their choice. (What the hell, Tiffany? I’ve never received such a thoughtful gift from any of my friends … ever). The gifts don’t stop there! She got everyone a clay kit in order to design their favorite pastries in clay, because of course she did. For the beverage course, Tiffany prepared cocktails and added glitter to all the glasses. The crew watched the North Loop season of Love Is Blind. To cap off the party, Tiffany sent everyone home with vintage Valentine’s cards that she scored from the local letterpress mainstay Bench Pressed. What’s the best thing to do for singles on Valentine’s Day? According to the sage wisdom of Tiffany Bui: “Tell everyone you love them, even if you’re not actively dating them!”
Eat Stinky Food
There is certain delicious food that makes romance impossible and cohabitation unadvisable. If you are living la vida soltero this Valentine’s, why not dig into some garlicky goodness and revel in your own stench? What a treat. For my money, there’s no better garlic grenade than Mario’s Cheesy Garlic Bread Donuts. Have you ever eaten a Boston Kreme donut and thought, “I wish this was made with garlic bread and instead of custard it were molten hot mozzarella cheese?” No, you haven’t. But some cook at Mario’s did, and the world is better for it. Rack up an order of these and a Detroit-style Hot Honey Pepperoni Pie, and you won’t even want to be around yourself. You’ve done it, and now you’ll be stinky ‘til Easter.
Go Cross-Country Skiing
Sean’s Neighbors Out for a Ski. (Silas Mayberry / City Cast)
You aren’t really alone until you go cross-country skiing by yourself. In the quiet beauty of a desolate trail in Theodore Wirth, you will find the best company: your own. And don’t worry if you don’t really know how to ski – our City Cast contributor Em Cassel says it’s basically “like shuffling”. Plus, Em all but guarantees that when you head out for a wintry event stag, you’re sure to “meet another hottie who’s single!” Thanks, Em, we believe you.
Make A Cry For Help at the Bowling Alley
I’ve spent a couple of single Valentine’s Days in my life on the lanes, and it’s always turned out great. Find yourself a bowling alley that attracts some single people, like Bryant Lake Bowl, Memory Lanes, Elsie’s, or The Nook. Then grab a lane all by your lonesome and start looking around longingly. Crank that yearn up to 11 and see if someone wants to put a bumper in your lane (if you know what I mean). There’s something romantic and comical about bowling alone, and hey, if it works out long-term for your new special someone, you’ll have a great meet-cute. Strike!
