Valentine's Day 2012 | events and things to do

Make a glass heart at Peter Patterson Glassworks.

Made plans for Valentine's day yet? No? Don't anger your sig. o. Try one of our 21 Valentine's Day events. And for you single folks, these V-Day activities offer plenty of opportunities to hang solo or get laid.

GET PHYSICAL
The Fabulous Ladies of Fitness’s monthly workout-themed dance party is heavy on the irony and light on the beats. Wear your American Apparel leotard and dance away the blues to 1980s R&B at this heartbreak-themed anti–Valentine’s Day bash. Cole’s, 2338 N Milwaukee Ave (773-276-5802, coleschicago.blogspot.com). Thu 9, 9:30pm–2am; free.

Make Your Own Heart
In time for Valentine’s Day, artisan Peter Patterson teaches students glass-blowing essentials to craft a heart-shaped paperweight. Also on Saturday and Sunday. Peter Patterson Glassworks Studio, 888 Tower Rd, Mundelein (847-949-0013, pattersonglass.com). Fri 10, Sat 11, Sun 12, 10am–4pm; large heart $50, small heart $25.

Big Sexy Show
The Chicago Starlets burlesque ensemble heats things up during this striptease Valentine’s Day revue. Comedy duo Parker and Seville serves up the shenanigans. Music Box, 3733 N Southport Ave (773-871-6604, michellelamour.com). 8:30, 11pm; $30, advance $25, couple tickets $40, VIP couple $100.

Cupid’s Chase 5K
That chubby cherub isn’t chasing after racers. These participants are haulin’ their behinds across the finish line for love…of charity. Proceeds go to Community Options, a national nonprofit organization that creates homes and employment for people with developmental disabilities. southwest corner of Lincoln Park, 1765 N Stockton Dr, (comop.org/cupidschase/illinois.html). Sat 11, 10am; $50, advance $35.

Makeout Party
The sixth annual shindig is an upgrade from yesteryear’s spin-the-bottle sessions. Makeout Party Orchestra sets the mood with covers by John Barry, Frank Zappa, Celine Dion and others. Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave (773-227-4433, hideoutchicago.com). Sat 11, 9pm; $12.

Puppy Love 2012
A few days from now, you’ll be on a date with your latest crush. Tonight, spend time with your true love: Dog owners and their pooches hang out at this Valentine’s Day meet up. Humans can indulge in $3 greyhound cocktails and canines receive complimentary treats. The Copa, 1637 N Clybourn Ave (312-642-3449, copalounge.com). Sat 11, 8pm–3am, free.

Shaken and Stirred: A 20s and 30s Mixer
Single bibliophiles might end up giving the term book lovers a whole new meaning. Socialize with heteros and queers during three speed-dating rounds at the library. The mixer is sponsored by genre X, a book discussion group made up of twenty- and thirtysomethings. Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St, Oak Park (708-383-8200, oppl.org/shaken-and-stirred-registration). Sat 11, 8–11pm, free.

Truffle Making Workshop
Give Lindt and Godiva a run for their money. Pick up recipes for creating the chocolate treat. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle (630-725-2066, mortonarb.org/chocolate). Sat 11, 11am, 12:30, 2pm; $28.

World Kitchen: From the Heart
Give the chalky, mini heart-shaped candies a rest. This V-Day, impress your friends and flames with sophisticated desserts and treats fit for any gourmand. Reservations required. Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, 66 E Randolph St (312-742-8497). Sat 11, 11am; $30.

Gapers Block Dance-a-Thon
This free-to-watch competition is photographed, and random challenges are thrown at contestants. If you’re not worried about possibly being caught on camera doing the Pee-wee Herman dance, partner up for nearly three hours of nonstop rug-cutting. A cash prize is issued to one remaining couple that out-boogies the other 20 pairs. Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N Western Ave (773-276-9730, gapersblock.com/ac/dance). Sun 12, 3–6pm; $100 per couple.

Night Lab: The Science of Attraction
Volcano and solar-system projects are labs for the kids. In this Science is Sexy Valentine’s Day edition, educators help adults tackle more important topics. Discover the science behind online dating, the ways sex scenes affect movie ratings and how to guess your relationship phase. Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave (773-525-2508, science-is-sexy.com). Sun 12, 6:30–8:30pm, free.

Sunday Bloody Sunday
At the heart of this Bloody Mary bars pub crawl is history, whether it be related to Valentine’s Day or the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Venue TBA, visit website for more information (chicagohistory.org). Sun 12, 1–4pm; $30, CHM members $25.

Truffle Making Party
A box of truffles might please Mom, but your sig-o wants something more. At tonight’s event, you can hand-roll your own truffles with a lesson from Katherine Duncan, founder of Katherine Anne Confections. Relax with appetizers and wine, and then get to work. Leave with four of your mini creations. Katherine Anne Confections, 2745 W Armitage Ave (katherine-anne.com/parties.php). Sun 12, 2–5pm; $50.

Valentine’s Day Hooley
Going stag is a-okay. The Irish American Heritage Center’s yearly romp has a matchmaking corner resembling Ireland’s yearly traditional singles fest held in Lisdoonvarna. A cash bar and live music are on the bill. Fifth Province Pub, 4626 N Knox Ave (773-282-7035, irish-american.org). Sun 12, 4–9pm; $12.

Cabaret with a View
South Shore native and musical theater virtuoso E. Faye Butler croons “My Funny Valentine” and other classics from the Great American Songbook to an audience seated along side her on the Pritzker Pavilion stage. Millennium Park, Pritzker Pavilion, 205 E Randolph St (312-742-8497, millenniumpark.org). Mon 13, 7:30pm; $15 balcony, stage level with two drinks $25.

I Love the Bloomingdale
No Valentine? No problem. Fall in love with the Bloomingdale Trail. This fund-raiser—organized by the Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail and the Trust for Public Land—offers gratis beer, a card station from the ladies of the Letter Writers Alliance and a photo booth. Revolution Brewing, 2323 N Milwaukee Ave (312-750-9820, bloomingdaletrail.org). Mon 13, 7–9pm; $40, advance $30, kids $5.

Solo in the Second City: A Reading Series, Chapter 1
This clambake created by gal pal bloggers Melinda McIntire and Carly Oishi is likely to turn into a roasting of exes. Bloggers let loose on the ups and downs of being single. Cobra Lounge, 235 N Ashland Ave (312-226-6300, solointhesecondcity.com). Mon 13, 8–9:30pm, free.

Breakfast on the Ledge
There aren’t any diamonds to scope out, but the views atop this urban gem are as timeless as Holly Golightly’s strand of pearls. Take your lady or gent to a V-Day buffet 1,353 feet above earth, inside the suspended glass structure. Reservations required. Willis Tower Skydeck, 233 S Wacker Dr (312-875-9447, the-skydeck.com). Tue 14, 8–9:30am; $50.

The Happy Hooker: Portrait of a Sexual Revolutionary
Sorry, Julia Roberts fans. Pretty Woman isn’t being screened. Former high-profile madam Xaviera Hollander’s life as a prostitute in 1971 is chronicled. The movie is shown as part of the Sex Positive Documentary Film Series. Enjoy refreshments and dialogue after the presentation. Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, 800 S Halsted St (312-413-5353, hullhousemuseum.org). Tue 14, 7–9:30pm; free.

Society of Midland Authors
Chicago-based romance authors Jennifer Stevenson, Sherrill Bodine and Patricia Rosemoor share writing and publishing tips. Arrive at 6pm for a cash bar and gratis snacks. Cliff Dwellers Club, 200 S Michigan Ave (312-922-8080, midlandauthors.com). Tue 14, 7pm; donations accepted.

Wine & Wildlife: Animal Attractions
When it comes to connecting, animals also have hormone chemistry and computer-assisted matchmaking. Nosh on chocolate and sip a glass of Champagne as you hear all about the process from zoo ecologists. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St (312-742-2000, lpzoo.com). Tue 14, 5:30–7, 7:30–9pm; $45, LP Zoo members $40.