By Karina Martinez-CarterPLAY Writer
Valentine’s Day usually consists of candy, cards, chocolate and, for those new to Northwestern, Chicago. Some love it; others not so much. Since some time has passed since platonic Valentine’s messages stuffed our shoeboxes (covered in red paper hearts and doilies, of course) the typical Valentine’s goodies haven’t been a guarantee since elementary school. Chicago, however, can is always an option – regardless of your Facebook relationship status.
Chicago’s offerings for Valentine’s Day span from serious and traditional, reserved for those “eyes for no one else” couples, to indifferent, comical and even violent for those whose hearts may have been frozen by the frigid Windy City weather. PLAY’s Valentine’s Day guide covers all the bases, even if you might not.
Before people threw around the term “gangster” as an adjective and associated it with elbow-in-the-air horizontal peace signs, Chicago was home to some of the originals. Al Capone orchestrated a number of illegal activities during Prohibition, and on the morning of Feb. 14, 1929, there was little lovin’ between two rival Chicago gangs: Capone’s and the one led by George “Bugs” Moran.
The bloody gang showdown, dubbed the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, is recreated every year and multiple times a day as part of the Untouchables Tour. For $25 (and a reservation), people can ride along the two-hour interactive tour, starting from 600 North Clark St. The getaway vehicles for the tour are black buses with actors dressed as gangsters, who serve as guides while in character. The historically accurate tour cruises past notorious Chicago sites in search of red-light districts of the ’20s and ’30s, and as the Web site says, it’s “a BLAST!”
For another blast from the past, make an appointment at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio (116 West Illinois St.). Murray and his dance studios have taught generations of Chicagoans how to get down. The studio teachers today promise to do just as much, even if you or the apple of your eye has two left feet.
The Arthur Murray way combines private lessons, group classes and practice sessions that will have you moving in no time. The Chicago studio has been teaching people to perfect their fox trot, waltz, salsa and meringue (to name a few) for the past 40 years and is a widely recognized dance studio. “Dancing is easy as walking once you are taught by an Arthur Murray expert,” says their site. Even if the promising claims seem dubious, dance lessons are a good excuse to get close to someone.
Another hands-on and sly excuse to learn something new is the Valentine’s Day themed cooking classes at The Chopping Block (222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 107). Classes are also held at their second location at 4747 North Lincoln Ave. The Chopping Block is open year-round with topics, or themed classes, that change monthly. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, the holiday is the focus with the following four themed courses: “Seal the Deal…,” “Aphrodisiacs!,” “Get Your Flirt On!” and “Romantic Dinner for Two” (which also has a more interactive version).
“Seal the Deal…” is a “no dates allowed” session that teaches you how to cook a meal step-by-step to surprise a loved one, or at least impress someone (think Queer Eye for the Straight Guy). The purpose of the aphrodisiacs class is obvious, but the food concoctions are more surreptitious. Attendees are taught to make dishes and desserts with edible (key word) aphrodisiacs, which include strawberry and avocado salad and chocolate fondue.
Those who attend the aphrodisiacs class may have someone to try the recipes with after attending the “Get Your Flirt On!” class. Each person is asked to bring a friend of the opposite sex with whom he or she is not romantically involved to the class. Once everyone gets cooking and bumping elbows, it’s all about seeing what, or rather who, starts to heats up.
Lastly, rather than dining out with your significant other, enjoy the fruits of your labor during and after the hands-on “Romantic Dinner for Two” event. The traditional offering happens on Valentine’s Day and is “an elegant multi-course meal that you cook together, for each other.” Be sure to get a Sweetheart Gift Card to save some money on your lessons.
If that doesn’t melt your heart or you embrace flying solo, another option is to attend “No Love for Love: The Anti-Valentine’s Show” at the Apollo Theater. The event is hosted by the Poetry Center of Chicago Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. The show is a compilation of prose and poetry lambasting love or the lack thereof. Local writers perform at the event, and slam poet Mary Fons hosts with pianist Justin Hayford. The event includes a silent auction featuring items for singletons, such as dinner and a movie for one and online dating consulting.
So this Valentine’s Day, go out with the girls, have a guys night, enjoy a romantic evening or brave it solo. Whatever the case, use it as an excuse to get out and into the city. Between high-class restaurants, eclectic bars, variety shows and special events, Chicago is the ideal date. If worse comes to worse, decorate a mailbox and hope for the best.
Medill freshman Karina Martinez-Carter is a PLAY writer. She can be reached at [email protected].
