Romantic events perfect for date night

HUNTINGTON — There’s an incoming red cloud blowing in, hanging low and ominous over the Tri-State.

Yeah, duck inside gents and bring plenty of cash because “love is in the air,” and it’s here to stay for a while.

While Valentine’s Day isn’t until Monday, there’s a five-day, weekend run on love-filled events that range from romantic movies and music to dinners by the dozens.

Here are a bunch of cool events and like Drake says, you can thank me later.

Loving that symphonic jazz

Like Hogan Haas, CEO of the nearly-50-member-strong Huntington Symphony Orchestra, said jokingly, “let her think you’ve got some class and take your date to the symphony.”

He’s spot on because the Symphony, with guest conductor John Koshak of California, has “A Winter’s Delight,” that features everything from Beethoven and Scottish dances to a concert-ending portrait of jazz legend Duke Ellington.

Tickets are only $5 for students and student groups. Regular tickets for the 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, concert at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, 925 4th Ave., Huntington, are $18 for balcony, $26 for orchestra level two open seating and $35 for reserved. Tickets are on sale now at 304-781-8343, online at www.huntingtonsymphony.org or stop by the office at 763 3rd Ave., Huntington.

Making some ‘Nunsense’ of it all

Normally when a church needs money, it passes the offering plate and has an usher stand at the end of the pew staring at you until you empty your wallet. At First United Methodist Church, 1124 5th Ave., they’ve sure been working hard for their missions money since 1991 by hosting an annual dinner theater.

This weekend, the church, 1124 5th Ave., Huntington, produces Dan Goggin’s last “Nunsense” musical comedy,  “Nunset Boulevard,” a dinner theater set to run Friday, Feb. 11, Saturday, Feb. 12, and Monday, Feb. 14. Dinner (a choice of prime rib or glazed Cornish hen and all the trimmings including dessert) is served at 6:30 p.m. with shows at 8 p.m. Reservations must be made in advance. Tickets (dinner and show) are $22 and $8 for children under 12. Show-only tickets are $5 if space permits. There is babysitting (by request). Reservations required for all shows. Call 304-522-0357 or 740-867-8576.

Chocolate-covered kitchen

Jamie Oliver might fly back in for an intervention, but Huntington’s Kitchen is getting a little Willy Wonka with its 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, demo during which folks will watch — then make their own — Valentine’s Day treats including chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry cheesecake.

This evening of chocolate-filed fun at Huntington’s Kitchen, 911 3rd Ave., (across from Pullman Square) is $30 per couple. Contact Jill or Joe at 304-522-0887. If you don’t make it on Friday, stop by Monday, Feb. 14, and pick up your Valentine some chocolate-covered strawberries. Call ahead and place your order of six for $15 and 12 for $25.  Availability is limited.

Having a senior moment, and a daddy/daughter moment

The Veterans Memorial Field House will be the hot spot for some dancing this weekend. From 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, there will be a Father and Daughter Dance with music and a dessert buffet. From 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District and the Field House hosts a Valentine’s Senior Extravaganza featuring sweets and treats, a red rose for each lady, music by J.B. Miller and MorrisonPhotography will be on site with special deals. Cost for either dance is $10 per person. Tickets available at the GHPRD Office, Veterans Memorial Field House, and all First Sentry Bank locations.

Call 304-696-5954 for more information

Welcome back Carter

Every Tuesday saxophonist Jeff Carter and his band bring the romance table-side to Alexanders at the Ashland Plaza Hotel. This next week, Carter and his Jeff Carter Orchestra will be performing at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, at the First Presbyterian Church, 1600 Winchester Ave., Ashland. The evening will include heavy appetizers, live music with dancing, door prizes and daycare is provided.

Tickets are $25. For tickets, call 606-324-4122.

Love it up, like it’s 1957

The Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, brings the heat to the big screen at 4 p.m. as its Second Sunday Classic movie series features the 1950s-flick “An Affair to Remember.”  The black and white classic follows handsome playboy Nicky Ferrante (Cary Grant) and beautiful night club singer Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) as they have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, both agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. However, an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion, and Nicky fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he discover the truth behind her absence and reunite with his one true love, or has fate and destiny passed them by? The film shows at 4 p.m. Tickets are $4 at the door. Call 606-324-3175.

Valentine’s Day demo class

If you want to have an amazing dinner and learn something about the process, the Mountwest Cooking and Culinary Institute’s weekly demo classes/ themed-dinners for the public, are a great deal and wonderful night out.

In fact the Friday night Valentine’s Day dinner demo has been sold out for nearly three weeks.

So, you’ll want to know that the next class, is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 25, at the Institute, located across from Pullman Square, and will be a four-course meal to raise money for student culinary expeditions. The dinner will include a seafood appetizer, a salad course, an entrée, and a dessert. All money raised goes towards student activities such as competitions, conferences and travel.

The Mountwest Cooking and Culinary Institute is located at 917 3rd Ave., Huntington. Call 304-525-2960 or go online at www.cookingandculinary.com.

Some caves and Cline

OK, unless you’re a vampire, hanging out in a cave may not sound hot, but Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill, Ky., is bringing the heat above-ground with a weekend getaway called, “Romance at the Caves,” Feb. 11-13.

There will be a Patsy Cline tribute show at 6:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Tierney’s Cavern dining room at the lodge. Dinner and the show is $24.99.

You can also book a package of dinner, show and overnight stay for two for $109.99. And, of course, you can also tour X-Cave and Cascade Cavern, the largest of Carter County’s 200 caves.

Call 1-800-325-0059.

Get your Highlander ‘Glee’ on

You can support local “Gleeks” of HHS as the Huntington High School Show Choir is offering a dinner theater at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at the school called “The Way You Make Me Feel”  featuring a ham dinner. All proceeds go to the show choir.

Tickets are $12, $20 per couple; $8 for students; and children under 4 are free. Tickets are available from show choir members. To make reservations, call 304-528-6461.

Down by the river

Enjoy the scenic view of the glowing lights of the East End bridge reflecting into the Ohio River with a romantic meal at Schooner’s Waterfront Bar and Grille, that’s floating in the Ohio River in the historic neighborhood of Guyandotte.

The Valentine’s Day dinner special for two is $49.95 and runs 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Monday. The four-course dinner will includes such entrees as a choice of filet mignon, potato-crusted black cod, shrimp scampi and black and blue chicken roulade.

Reservations  are recommended. Call 304 529 FOOD (3663). (Drinks and gratuity not included) Go online at www.schoonerswv.com.

A little love at lunch

If you can’t wait until Monday night to get a romantic meal and great music, Olive Tree Cafe, 1537 Winchester Ave., Ashland, (inside the Pendleton Art Center) has got you covered with a Valentine’s Day Buffet Lunch complete with live music from Danny Craig and Angy Hall.
The dinner runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14. Try to reserve a spot by Friday, Feb. 11. For more info, call Cafe owner Kathy Keelin at 606-615-2998.

Toril Lavender/ For The Herald-Dispatch

Loretta Hetzer, as Sister Hubert, left, and Jane Morse, as Reverand Mother, in the the Tri-State premiere of "Nunset Boulevard," the latest comedy musical by Dan Goggin as part of First Church Dinner Theater. The show at First United Methodist Church, 1124 5th Ave., will begin with dinner at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11; Saturday, Feb. 12 and Monday, Feb. 14.