Happy Anti-Valentine’s Day in Brooklyn

A guide for singles

February 8, 2017 Compiled by Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Forget Valentine’s Day: WORD Bookstore presents a “Galentine's Day Party” featuring romance authors Sarah MacLean, Maya Rodale, sex educator Kait and more. See story for full listings of anti-Valentine’s Day events in Brooklyn. Graphic courtesy of WORD

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Valentine’s Day (Tuesday, Feb. 14) is largely an excuse for businesses to sell overpriced flowers, candy and wine. But knowing that doesn’t matter if you find yourself alone on the holiday. The fact is, Valentine’s Day is often the one day of the year when even secure singles feel lonely.

You don’t have to feel left out, however. Whether you are happily single or just between relationships, there are plenty of fun things to do on Valentine’s Day in Brooklyn.

Here’s a list of some suggestions for both Tuesday and the weekend before, when a number of Valentine’s (and anti-Valentine’s Day) related activities are taking place. Don’t worry, have fun. You’re gonna be fine.

Pre-Valentine’s Day:

Mad, Dangerous Love: The Brooklyn Historical Society kicks off Valentine’s Weekend 2017 on Feb. 10, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a look at the more complicated side of love, from vengeful poisons and aphrodisiacs to demonic lovesick raving. Free admission, programming and live entertainment, cartoon shorts, lurid exhibitions, Brooklyn Brewery beer and live music. 128 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn Heights. http://brooklynhistory.org/visitor/freefridays

It’s Friday, I’m (Not) In Love: Anti-Valentine’s Day Party at Littlefield: Do you want to mix it up with other heartbroken strangers? “Avoid all the mushy stuff” and dance your way into oblivion on Friday, Feb. 10 at 10 p.m. in this anti-Valentine’s Day event. DJ Gordon Gloom will provide heartache classics from the 80s to today. $6-8 drink specials, a cleansing anti-love ritual and a photo booth to prove to your ex that you’re totally doing just fine on your own. Wear black. 622 Degraw St. between 3rd and 4th Avenue in Gowanus. www.littlefieldnyc.com/

Valentine’s tours of the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant: Three odoriferous tours will be held on Feb. 11. Romantic moments include a short overview of the wastewater treatment process followed by a visit to the 120-foot high observation deck located atop the iconic digester eggs. This is a hot ticket, so reserve ASAP. Tour times are 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – and reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis. 329 Greenpoint Ave., Greenpoint. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/environmental_education/digester_egg_tour_registration.shtml

‘Galentine’s Day’ Party: WORD Bookstore presents a Galentine’s Day Party (for gals, get it?) on Monday, Feb. 13, with romance authors Sarah MacLean, Maya Rodale, sex educator Kait and more. Raffles, games, and an open bar from 7 to 9 pm. Moderator Maddie Caldwell works as an editor at Grand Central Publishing and runs the Romance Book Group. Villain, 50 N. 3rd St. Williamsburg, 7 p.m., tickets $20. www.wordbookstores.com/galentinesbk2017

Tuesday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day

Dr. Lopez and Dr. Bubbles Give Advice about Love: Head to Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg at 6 p.m. on Feb. 14, where a 6-year-old and a 7-year-old will give audience members some advice on love. Stay for The Hook (7 p.m.) a talk show and new political speakeasy, in which “people of idealistic distinction are interviewed before a live audience, with ample space for interaction, surprise and discovery.” Still enthused? At 8:30 Southern-born and Brooklyn-based Mary-Elaine Jenkins will sing spooky, sultry blues. 709 Lorimer St. 718-302-3770. www.petescandystore.com

NYRR Open Run: What better to do on Valentine’s night than take a run — or even a brisk walk — with lots of like-minded folks in Brooklyn Bridge Park? Open to all species and ages, including babies in strollers and dogs on leashes. Run kicks off at 7 p.m. at Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street. www.brooklynbridgepark.org

Boycott Valentine’s Day Pub Run: This event combines running and beer, a winning combination. The bars are Rocka Rolla in Williamsburg and Oak & Iron Bar in Greenpoint. Rumors of giveaways from RunBK Apparel. The event will be capped at 100 participants and will be first come first serve. Use the link below to score tickets. You must be 21 to attend. Brooklyn Running Company, 222 Grand St., 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., $20. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boycott-valentines-day-pub-run-tickets-31098491425

Literary Couples: A Valentine’s Day Reading and Discussion: Franklin Park Reading Series brings celebrated authors to the stage at Brooklyn Historical Society. Features literary couples Isaac Fitzgerald and Alice Sola Kim, and Brendan Kiely and Jessie Chaffee. Penina Roth, founder of the Franklin Park Reading Series, moderates. 7 p.m. 128 Pierrepont St. Tickets: Free http://brooklynhistory.org/visitor/calendar.html

Unlovable: Tribute to the Smiths and Morrissey: Heartache music with The Sons & Heirs tribute band, who will sing the crooner’s most depressing hits, with host Rob Sheffield. This Anti-Valentine’s Day event has become “a New York ritual,” according to Rolling Stone. Doors open 7 p.m., show starts 8 p.m. at The Bell House. 149 7th St. 718-643-6510

Brooklyn Philharmonia Chorus Open Audition: Like to sing? (Or hear other folks sing?) The Brooklyn Philharmonia Chorus, the borough’s oldest community chorus, is looking for new singers for the Spring 2017 concert, and auditions takes place on Feb. 14 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. (The chorus will perform Brahm’s “Requiem” and other songs.) Details at www.brooklynphilharmoniachorus.org

Movie Trivia Night: Are you a movie fanatic? Do you have friends who are also? Videology Bar & Cinema hosts a trivia night, masterminded by Maggie Ross, every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., and Valentine’s is no different. Head to the bar with some friends — teams have a maximum of six — to show off your cinema knowledge. The winning team gets a free round of drinks. 308 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg, 8:30 p.m. videologybarandcinema.com

BRIC’s Stoop Series: This series features artistic/musical/media performances, presentations, participatory activities and dynamic conversations. There’s something different every week. 7 p.m. at the Bric House Stoop, 647 Fulton Street, Fort Greene. http://www.bricartsmedia.org/events-performances/stoop-series

“The Skin of Our Teeth”: Treat yourself to Arin Arbus’s new staging of Thornton Wilder’s comic masterpiece at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center. Visual surprise combines with “farce, burlesque, satire and brains.” 7:30 p.m., 262 Ashland Place, Fort Greene. Tickets from $85 to $110. www.tfana.org/

“The Tempest”: Here’s another Valentine’s Day performance, this one at St. Ann’s Warehouse in DUMBO. It’s the third and final installment of a series of all-female Shakespeare productions set inside a women’s prison. In “The Tempest,” actress Harriet Walter will take on the role of Prospero, a wizard exiled to a magical island. 7:30 pm., tickets start at $40. http://stannswarehouse.org/show/the-tempest/

Alamo Drafthouse Brooklyn: A not-quite-typical Valentine’s movie night featuring drinks, desserts, and back-to-back screenings of the Wachowski Sisters’ “Bound” and Takashi Miike’s horror film “Audition.” “Bound” 7:15 p.m.) is a lesbian crime thriller — enjoy it with special Corky and Violet-themed cocktails and desserts, and take a Babeland gift bag. For an anti-Valentine’s Day sentiment, take in “Audition,” (9:30 p.m.) but be warned: it’s so dark and disturbing you may never want to date again. Seriously. Never. 445 Albee Square W #4, Downtown Brooklyn. https://drafthouse.com/nyc/show/terror-tuesday-audition

Volunteer: The United War Veterans Council (UWVC) is calling on New Yorkers to help deliver some Valentine’s Day love to our military veterans in veteran hospitals in each borough, including Brooklyn’s VA Hospital at 800 Poly Place. UWVC needs volunteers to assist with card distribution and celebrations on February 13th, 14th and 15th, as well as the packaging and vetting of cards on February 11th. Contact Angela Coyle at [email protected] or call 718-753-2614.