Valentine’s Day is a great way to celebrate love and romance. But for those in Philadelphia who don’t see eye-to-eye (or heart-to-heart) with the holiday’s more blatantly mainstream aspects or don’t like the idea of “love,” there’s still plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend in Philly.
Here is a list of loving alternatives to Valentine’s Day revelry in Philly that doesn’t include hanging at the Eagles’ victory parade after dark.
Pink Sweat$
Pink Sweat$ may be a world-renowned, international R&B/hip hop chart-topping vocalist, producer and songwriter. But below the surface of his legendary signature pink sweatsuits, David Bowden (the young man behind Pink Sweat$) is just a Philly-bred church singer inspired by his time at his aunt’s New House of Prayer and his grandfather’s Christian Tabernacle.
His mix of traditional gospel melodies and Gamble & Huff-influenced R&B – made modern – is what drives his debut album, 2021’s ‘Pink Planet‘, its 2022 follow-up ‘Pink Moon’, and recent singles such as last year’s ‘Make It Hot’ with ALLY.
Pink Sweat$ doesn’t make it back to the old neighborhood often, so when he shows up for a special “Welcome Home” show with Ensemble Arts Philly and R5 Productions at the Miller Theater (Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m.), it is a must-be, must-see event.
Shine a Little Love
Co-hosted by the Outer Circle Social Group, the Trestle Inn on N. 11th Street gets lovey-dovey – for free, no cover – during this Valentine’s Day happy hour with DJs Hardbargain and The Slinky Vagabond spinning “70’s smoochers and dance floor classics” with the bar’s usual brand of dancing Go Go by Trestle Special Ricky De Niro. And yes, the Trestle is also showing off its Best Kisses Videos on the big screen, so pucker up.
Pink Elephant
What’s black and white and red and pink all over? The Pink Elephant pop-up bar at 1500 Locust’s The Elephant. This singular Philadelphia espresso martini salon hosts this flavorful pop-up, now through Feb. 16, re-decorating the barroom pink and red with disco ball chandeliers and sequins, and added a handful of specially designed, romantic cocktails with a caffeinated kick. I dare say, though, if you’re looking for something vibe-y and decaf, check out the Swipe Right Sangria or Champagne Problems.
‘Casablanca’
The TikTok generation may not know the charms of this 1942, black-and-white film classic, but perhaps now is the perfect time for its acquaintance. ‘Casablanca’ is about love and sex during wartime in another country, yet focuses too on the patriotism of a few, and even some wild hair American nationalist sensations.
The romantic film’s heroine (Ingrid Bergman) has a daughter (Isabella Rosellini) currently up for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar (‘Conclave’). Its dialogue – especially that of its eventual life-long pals (you’ll get what I’m talking about at the end) played by Humphrey Bogart and Claude Raines – is some of the best, most caustic and even romantic that Hollywood could offer.
And you almost never get an opportunity to see this on a big screen the likes of which the Philadelphia Film Society (showing Feb. 14-15) at 1412 Chestnut Street has to offer. So, here’s looking at you… or you looking at this.
Philadelphia saxophonist Jaleel Shaw
You will rarely hear a beautiful noise and loving, curvaceous solos such as that of alto and soprano saxophonist Jaleel Shaw. Philly-born-and-bred, his emotional work has been heard within the confines of local ensembles from Christian McBride, as well as with the likes Pat Metheny, Stefon Harris, Roy Hargrove and the late Chick Corea.
Presented with this city’s Ars Nova Workshop and The Jazz Gallery on Feb. 12, at Broad Street’s Solar Myth, this show finds Shaw jamming with up-and-coming pianist Cameron Campbell for a first-time pairing.
Jabroni Comedy Night
The anniversary weekend of S. Bancroft Street’s Second District Brewery just happens to coincide with the publication of the highly anti-romantic, gorgeously satirical The Philadelphia Jabroni’s new issue AND the Second District’s Second Thursday local, live stand-up comedian soiree on Feb. 13. Metro is certain that the night’s mix of Philly stand-ups and Jabroni scribes will not give love a good name, at all.
Girls ‘N’ Guns Valentine!
Of course, the Erasrehood’s Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Arts – PhilaMOCA – would offer a rowdy, avant-garde alternative to Feb. 14 mushiness with the curators from Exhumed Film and a loud, action-adventure double feature of rarely-screened “Hong Kong girls with guns films” such as the kung-fu favorite ‘The Avenging Quartet’ (1993) and ‘Mission of Justice’ (1992).
