Votive Art Show and Sale
Votives have been used for hundreds of years as symbols of love (as well as expressions of congratulations or thanks). Each of the votives for sale is handcrafted out of wood and tin by a local artist. The show is free, the selling is — obviously — not. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 and 13. Center in the Square’s second-floor galleries, downtown Roanoke. 342-5790, theartscouncil.org.
Bonus: Take your honey or go alone for a last-minute gift.

Darwin Day
Choosing a mate is kind of like survival of the fittest, right? Roanoke College’s biology department is celebrating Darwin’s 200th birthday. If you and your mate want to do something educational on Feb. 14, check out “Dead Things in Jars: A Natural Selection” in Patterson Hall from 7 p.m. to midnight; “Darwin: The Man, the Myth, the Legend,” a lecture by DorothyBelle Poli in the Pickle Lounge at Colket Center; or one of two movies (“Inherit the Wind” at 7:30 p.m. or “Gattaca” at 10:30 p.m.), also in the Colket Center. 375-2461.
Bonus: Two holidays in one!    

Dance the night away
The big day’s on a Saturday this year, so a lot of bars and restaurants will have some sort of live music or DJ running late into the night. Check next week’s Inside Out listings for details.
Bonus: Most local pubs don’t charge more than a $10 cover charge. Some are even free!

Dinner in bed
Breakfast in bed is old news, so take eating and lounging to a new level. Stay home, wear PJs and make dinner (perhaps you’ll end up slurping spaghetti a la “Lady and the Tramp”). Then watch a romantic movie, look through magazines together or just chat for the evening.

Star-crossed lovers
Head over to Radford for a night of stargazing with your sweetie pie. On Feb. 13, check out the university’s Selu Observatory telescope. Gaze for hours starting at 6 p.m. The observatory is located about three miles from campus on Sale-Selu Lane. You can find detailed directions and a map at radford.edu/observatory. If a structured show is more your style, go see “Skywatchers of Africa,” a planetarium show that tells the story of cultures in Africa and their relationships to the sky. The planetarium is right on campus in Curie Hall, and the show starts at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 14. For more information on the show, call 831-5441 or visit planetarium.radford.edu. Both events are free.

Friends of the Library Valentine’s Weekend Book Sale
Go with your date (and a budget) to buy gifts you know you’ll like. Most books range in price from 25 cents to a few dollars. 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 14 and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 15. Bedford Public Library. 586-8911, friendsofbedfordlibrary.org.
Bonus: Maybe you’ll find something saucy.

Cultured pearls
Take the time to visit a museum or art gallery you haven’t seen in a while. Or check out the new Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and gallery admission is $8.50 per person. (Note: It will cost more to stay for the Tattoo Fashion Show on Feb. 14. See Hot Dates below for details.)

Floyd Contra Dance
Music by No Strings Attached with Dean Snipes. $8 to dance; $5 to watch. 7:30 p.m. Winter Sun Theater, Floyd. floydcontradance.org.
Bonus: You’ll be learning, too — the caller will teach each dance.

Create together
Do something at home together that will become something you cherish. Get a blank canvas and create a piece of art you’ll remember forever, have a secret (sexy?) photo shoot, make a collage or write some poetry. Whatever you do, it’ll be more meaningful than buying a gift off the shelf.
    
Road trip
You’ve got all day Saturday, so you might as well take advantage of it. Pack a picnic and head out on the greenway or trail nearest you for a hike or bike trip. Make sure to bring a camera for lasting memories.

Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Jamboree
The Bluegrass Kinsmen and the Buck Mountain A Band perform during New River Community College’s Fiddle, Banjo and Dance Club event. Free, donations accepted. 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14, 117 Edwards Hall, New River Community College, Dublin. 674-3600.

Pack a picnic
There’s just something romantic about that checkered blanket, baguettes and, oh yeah, the champagne. It will probably be too cold to head outdoors, so create a cozy indoor picnic with all your sweetie’s favorite foods plus some natural aphrodisiacs like strawberries or chocolate. Then snuggle up near the fire and eat to your heart’s content.
Bonus: Light some candles for ambience, just like they do in the fanciest of restaurants.



SERENADE YOUR LOVEBIRD
Do you love so strong it can only be expressed in song?

Valentine’s Day Singing Telegrams
Your sweetheart will get a song (“You Are My Sunshine,” “Wild Thing,” “Lean On Me” or “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch”), candy and a carnation.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 14
Where: Deliveries limited to the Roanoke area.
Cost: $20; proceeds benefit the client recreation fund at Bethany Hall.
Contact: Jenny, 343-4261, ext. 4261, jenniferkneel@yahoo.com.

Singing Valentines
The Star City Sounds Chorus will send a four-part harmony to serenade your sweetie pie. Each recipient will receive two love songs and a rose.
When: Feb. 13 or 14
Cost: $35
Contact: Linda, 774-1542

Singing Valentines
The Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers and the Virginia Gentlemen Barbershop Chorus will send a barbershop quartet in fancy dress to anywhere your honey happens to be. Each recipient will receive two or more songs, a rose, a card and a photo.
When: Feb. 13 and 14
Cost: $50
Contact: 977-0472 (Roanoke), 721-1437 (Franklin County), 297-9231 (Bedford) or (434) 851-3900 (Lynchburg).



FAMILY DATES
If you’d like to share Valentine’s Day with the little ones, these ideas might be just the ticket.

Star City Canine Agility Trials and Obedience
Dogs performing tricks could warm even the hardest of hearts. Free. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 13, 14 and 15. Salem Civic Center. 375-3004, salemciviccenter.com.
Bonus: If you see the pups in the afternoon, there’s still room for one-on-one time with your sweetheart.

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam
It may not be the most romantic of outings, but it will definitely be entertaining. $28, gold circle; $20, adults; $7, kids; all seats $3 more the day of the show. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14;  2 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15. Roanoke Civic Center. 853-5483 or roanokeciviccenter.com for information; (888) 397-3100 or tickets.com for tickets.
Sweetheart Skate
With music dedications and other family friendly activities. A king and queen will be crowned. $10.50. 7 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Adventure World Skate and Fun Center, Christiansburg. 382-1717, adventureworldonline.com.

Happy Days Valentine’s Sock Hop
Dance the night away with your favorite ’50s music. With a silent auction, photo booth and soda shop refreshments. $10; $20, family. 7 to 10 p.m. Fieldstone United Methodist Church, Christiansburg. 260-3402, rockum.org.



HOT DATES
Most people aren’t rolling in dough at this point in time, but Valentine’s Day is the holiday of all holidays for lovers. These ideas may not be cheap, but they’ll be fun.

Kirk Avenue concerts
Take your pick of concerts or see both. Scythian is playing Feb. 13 ($10, 7:30 p.m.) and Rev. Billy C. Wirtz appears Feb. 14 ($14, 8 p.m.). Kirk Avenue Music Hall, 22 Kirk Ave., downtown Roanoke. kirkavenuemusic.com.
Bonus: See the concerts and support a good cause — The Music Lab at Jefferson Center.

Chocolate Lovers Valentine’s Day Tea
A Victorian tea menu with a chocolate theme. $24 per person is all-inclusive; reservations accepted. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Petticoats and Petit Fours Tea Room, 211 W. Main St., Salem. 389-2832, petticoatsandpetitfourstearoom.com.
Bonus: An afternoon of aphrodisiacs leaves the evening open for other plans.
Desire: A Valentine’s Ball
Live music from the Domino band, a full dinner buffet, prizes and more for an all-inclusive evening with the one you love. $100 per couple. 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Roanoke Ballroom, Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. 206-2414, 853-8203, sponsorhounds.com.
Bonus: Special room rates at the Hotel Roanoke start at $129.

Tattoo Fashion Show
A display of the region’s most interesting body art to the music of Dj Dickie. Plus artist Jessica Meyer will present six models wearing skin-transferable lithographs (handmade temporary tattoos). $25; $50, reserved. 7 p.m. Taubman Museum of Art, downtown Roanoke. taubmanmuseum.org.

“A Musical Journey in Brass”
If you’re looking for a cultured evening with your valentine, head out for a concert by the Roanoke Chamber Brass Quintet. $20. 7 p.m. Bower Center for the Arts, Bedford. 586-4235, 587-6560, roanokechamberbrass.com.

A night on the town
The holiday’s smack-dab in the middle of the weekend, so take advantage of it. You and pumpkin can head out for dinner and a show. See one of the Oscar-nominated flicks or one of the many theater performances playing in the Roanoke area. Just remember to get your tickets and make your dinner reservations early (read: now) or you might be stuck at home.