From potato dances to rom-coms, 20+ ideas for things to do for Valentine's Day in Oklahoma
With the Sooner State firmly in February's embrace, central Oklahomans who would love to have an entertaining outing with their Valentine, Galentine or Palentine have an array of options.
For many pairs, Valentine's Day — despite its bloody history — provides the perfect opportunity to make it a date and hopefully kindle some romance.
But many people are choosing instead to mark Galentine's Day or Palentine's Day, friendly Feb. 13 alternatives where they can gather with their buddies and celebrate their bond.
Fortunately, many Oklahoma City area venues, museums and theaters are planning events where pleasure-seekers can find fun, from the family-friendly Potato Dance World Championships to the steamy Adele Wolf Valentine's Follies.
OKC Museum of Art's Access for All
When and where: Noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 11, Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/OKCMOA.
Funded through support from the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program, visitors of all ages can receive free admission to the downtown OKC museum’s galleries at no cost on the second Sunday of each month for the next three years.
The museum is currently showing the innovative traveling exhibit "Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight,” spotlighting the Tlingit artist's glass sculptures amid immersive projections, video and sound; “First Look: New to the Museum,” including works by OKC artists like Ed Ruscha, Nan Sheets and Alexandra Alaupovic; and “Chihuly Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty,” featuring one of the museum’s signature collections.
RACE Dance Collective's Valentine's Day-inspired classes
When and where: Various dates and times, 11 N Lee Ave.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/RACEdanceco.
The professional hip-hop, jazz and contemporary dance company is planning some extra racy classes in February, including Sensual Hip Hop, Partner Sexy Chair Class and Valentine’s Burlesque.
Oklahoma City Ballet's 'Giselle'
When and where: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9-10 and 2 p.m. Feb. 11, Civic Center Music Hall.
Information: https://www.okcballet.org.
OKC Ballet will revisit the Romantic Era fairy-tale ballet about love, betrayal and forgiveness. The title character of "Giselle" is a peasant girl with a weak heart who falls in love with Albrecht, a young duke disguised as a commoner so he can sow his wild oats before marrying a noblewoman. When Albrecht's identity is revealed, Giselle's weak heart is broken, and she dies in his arms. Her ghost is roused from the grave by the Wilis, a coven of vengeful female spirits who force the men they encounter to dance to death.
A sensory-friendly performance is set for 2 p.m. Feb. 10.
An Affair of the Heart
When and where: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 9-10 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 11, OKC Fairgrounds.
Information: https://www.aaoth.com.
The long-running contemporary craft show will include hundreds of booths featuring handmade items, boutique pieces and gourmet foods, from jewelry, clothing and upcycled furniture to home décor, handcrafted lotions and soaps.
Factory Obscura's V-Day Bash
When and where: 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 10, Factory Obscura's Mix-Tape.
Information: https://www.factoryobscura.com.
Celebrate Valentine's Day with a love-themed dance party featuring DJ Ostara and a live immersive performance by OKC soul singer Nia Moné. The event is for attendees 18 and older.
'In Love With Love Group Art Show'
When and where: Feb. 10-15, Factory Obscura's Mix-Tape.
Information: https://www.factoryobscura.com.
More than 25 Oklahoma artists have created original works to express love in all its forms. The group show opens during the V-Day Bash from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 10 and will remain on view during regular hours for the Mix-Tape attraction through Feb. 15. Admission is free.
Potato Dance World Championships
When and where: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 10, First Americans Museum.
Information: https://famok.org/potato-dance.
FAM's Valentine's Day tradition is a not-so-traditional presentation of the traditional Native American social dance. Pairs of participants will place a potato between their foreheads and dance. Spectators also are welcome.
The prize for the grand champions will be a $500 FAMstore gift card and matching beaded medallions by noted Native artist Molly Murphy Adams, whose work has been featured on the acclaimed Oklahoma-made series "Reservation Dogs."
Valentines' Day Cabaret: Live Jazz Vintage Burlesque
When and where: 8 p.m. Feb. 16, Rodeo Cinema at Stockyards.
Information: https://www.rodeocinema.org.
The nonprofit movie theater will host a performance by OKC's Terre Rouge Burlesque.
'The Scent of Green Papaya'
When and where: 5 p.m. Feb. 10 and 12:30 p.m. Feb. 11, Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
Information: https://www.okcmoa.com/films.
Nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar and winner of the 1993 Cannes Camera d'Or for Best First Feature, Tran Anh Hung's drama recreates antebellum Vietnam through both the wide eyes of childhood and the deep blush of first love.
'Love Song'
When and where: 8 p.m. Feb. 9, 3rd Act Theatre.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/3rdActTheatreCo.
The nonprofit community theater is offering a pay-what-you-can closing night special for its production of John Kolvenbach's offbeat comedy about Beane, his newfound love Molly and his sister and brother-in-law who are baffled by their relationship. The show contains mature language and themes, including neurodiversity, alcohol use, marijuana use, a brief depiction of domestic violence and intimacy.
Valentine's Day with Stephen Salewon, Norman
When and where: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 14, Othello's of Norman.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/OthellosNorman.
The OKC-based indie pop and blues musician will perform while the Italian restaurant serves up tasty entrees and Valentine's cocktails.
Glenn Miller Orchestra, Chickasha
When and where: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15, Te Ata Memorial Auditorium, Chickasha.
Information: https://usao.edu/arts-and-culture/dwpas/index.html.
Get your sweetheart “In the Mood” with music from the 18-member big band ensemble, playing the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma's Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series.
OKC Philharmonic's 'Bravo Broadway!'
When and where: 8 p.m. Feb. 16-17, Civic Center.
Information: https://www.okcphil.org.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic's 2023-2024 season continues with two Pops concerts featuring conductor Jan McDaniel and renowned Broadway vocalists Christiane Noll, Hugh Panaro and Scarlett Strallen.
University of Oklahoma's 'The Merry Widow,' Norman
When and where: 8 p.m. Feb. 15-17 and 3 p.m. Feb. 18, Reynolds Performing Arts Center, Norman.
Information: https://www.ou.edu/finearts/universitytheatre.
University Theatre’s production of Franz Lehar’s uplifting opera tells a delightful story of a woman’s quest for love and how her burgeoning romance is hampered by deception, mishap and comedic misadventures.
21+ Valentine's Day Forensic Night
When and where: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9, 14 and 16, Museum of Osteology.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/MuseumofOsteology/events.
Adults can bone up on what forensic anthropologists, law enforcement and investigators can learn by examining human skeletal remains. Each table will be assigned a mystery case and through a hands-on investigation learn to “read” the features of a human skull to determine the subjects' age, sex, physical trauma and/or pathology.
OKC Parks' Adaptive Valentine Dance
When and where: 2:30 p.m. Feb. 10, Sellers Recreation Center.
Information: https://www.okc.gov/departments/parks-recreation.
The dance is for anyone 17 or older with disabilities and will include music, dancing and refreshments for attendees. Registration is $5 and ends Feb. 10.
Adèle Wolf's Valentine's Follies
When and where: 8 p.m. Feb. 10, Civic Center Little Theatre.
Information: https://www.adelewolf.com.
The internationally renowned Oklahoma performer and producer's Valentine's Day event will feature decadent showgirls and death-defying circus acts in a world-class Las Vegas-style revue.
'A Winter Love'
When and where: 1 p.m. Feb. 17, First Americans Museum.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/deadcenterfilm.
FAM and deadCenter Film have partnered to offer a free screening of the romantic Indigenous dramedy, the first feature from Navajo playwright and filmmaker Rhiana Yazzie.
'I Hate Hamlet'
When and where: Through Feb. 18, Jewel Box Theatre.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/jbtheatre.
The long-running community theater kicks off its 66th season by revisiting Paul Rudnick's uproarious 1991 ghost story, which follows a television actor who relocates to New York after his show is canceled. When he lands the lead role in a production of "Hamlet," the TV star moves into an apartment once owned by John Barrymore, who famously played the part in the 1920s, for inspiration. Instead, he finds himself literally haunted by Barrymore's ghost.
UCO's 'Our Town,' Edmond
When and where: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9-10 and 2 p.m. Feb. 11, Mitchell Hall Theatre, Edmond.
Information: https://www.uco.edu/cfad/mitchell-hall/mitchell-hall-events.
The University of Central Oklahoma presents Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play set in the mythical village of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. The American classic chronicles the relationship between young neighbors George Gibbs and Emily Webb, whose childhood friendship blossoms into romance and then culminates in marriage.
Chickasaw Cultural Center's Valentine's Dinner & Movie, Sulphur
When and where: 5 p.m. Feb. 10, Chickasaw Cultural Center, Sulphur.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/ChickasawCCC.
For $25 per person, moviegoers can dine on a romantic three-course Asian-inspired meal, including dessert, in the Aaimpa' Café, followed by a screening of the 2018 film “Crazy Rich Asians” in the Anoli’ Theater. Reservations are required for dinner by calling 580-622-7130 or emailing Special.EventsCCC@chickasaw.net.
Or film fans can just see the rom-com at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 for children 12 and younger and $4 for adults, or a movie deal is available with admission, popcorn and a drink for $6.
Noir Nights with Josh Fadem - Valentine's Day Edition
When and where: 7 p.m. Feb. 14, Rodeo Cinema at Stockyards.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/RodeoCinema.
Spend a romantic evening with the Oklahoma actor and filmmaker as he unveils another mystery movie.
'The Curious World Orchids' at Crystal Bridge Conservatory
When: Feb. 16-March 17, Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Information: www.myriadgardens.org.
What's Valentine's Day without flowers? The Myriad Gardens' orchid show returns to the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory after its extensive renovation. This show will display hundreds of peculiar orchids in wildly beautiful shapes, and visitors can learn more about these exquisite plants. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Things to do for Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day in the OKC area
