Valentine's Day Tips in Kalamazoo

If you’re not too busy whispering sweet nothings into the ear of that special someone this Valentine’s Day, consider igniting (or re-igniting) that romantic flame at a Valentine’s Day event in Kalamazoo:

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with class at The Union. Enjoy a gourmet, three-course meal in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo on Sunday, February 10. This special event begins at noon and features live entertainment by ensembles from the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $37 per person for the meal and performance. Reservations are required. For more information or to reserve your seats, call the Union at 269.384.6756.

Win a Valentine package from Millennium and The Gilmore! Millennium Restaurant Group and the Gilmore Keyboard Festival have partnered up to offer this outstanding giveaway. The prize includes 2 Gold Zone Tickets for the Richard Goode Festival Prelude Recital on Sunday, April 13, and a $100 gift certificate for Millennium Restaurant Group. Richard Goode was a favorite at the 2004 Gilmore Festival, and the prize is valued at $170. To enter, send your name, address, email address and telephone number to annedrummond@charter.net. The winner will be drawn on February 12, and no purchase is necessary to enter or win.

Turn your Valentine’s Day into a fairytale with the help of Black River Carriage Company. Black River Carriage Company has offered horse drawn carriage rides to the Kalamazoo area for over twenty years. To make special reservations, call 269.657.9300.

Share the love at Bell’s Brewery on February 14. Sip on Bell’s Two Hearted Ale and enjoy a performance from the Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad in Bell’s Eccentric Café. The featured band has a reggae feel and will travel from Rochester, NY to spread some love. The show begins at 9:30 p.m. and cover is $5.

Sweeten the night with wine and dessert tasting at Vintner’s Cellar Winery. The winery will offer indulgent desserts made to complement six of their sweet wines. Vintner’s is hosting Valentine’s Night of Sweetness on February 14 from 6 -7:30 p.m. or from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple. Call 269.342.9463 to make reservations.

Step into the past for a charming evening at a historic Kalamazoo landmark. Henderson Castle, built in 1895, sits high atop a Kalamazoo hill and offers a beautiful view of the city. The castle will host Valentine’s dinners in a warm, romantic setting on February 9, 14 and 16. Dinner will feature live music followed by a tour of the castle. The cost is $85 per couple. Call 269.344.1827 to make reservations.

Experience an eclectic, fresh flavor of music on Valentine’s Day. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will host the Royal Garden Trio on February 14 as part of their Music at the Museum series. The Royal Garden Trio, a jazz ensemble from Ann Arbor, will play at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person. To order advance tickets, call 269.373.7990.

For some original Valentine’s Day excitement, head to Wings Stadium for the Borgess Pink Ice Game! Cheer on the K-Wings as they play the Flint Generals on a rink of pink on February 14 at 7 p.m. Black Diamond will perform the national anthem and sing a song for an on-ice wedding. Call 269.345.5101 for ticket information. After the game, strap on some skates and hold the hand of a loved-one for an hour of public skating. Admission to the open skate is $5. Skate rental is $3.

Learn the Do’s and Don’ts of Dating from a guest speaker at a single’s mixer! The Cheff Center is hosting a night of mingling and wine tasting for singles age 21 and up on Friday, February 15. The fun is from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. and dress is casual. Tickets are $45 at the door and all proceeds benefit The Cheff. The Cheff Center is located at 8450 N. 43rd St in Augusta.

Tantalize every taste bud at Food Dance Café this Valentine’s Day. Food Dance offers “authentic, eclectic new American cuisine.” They serve, fresh, local foods in a unique, big-city atmosphere. On February 14, Food Dance will host a 3-course or 5-course meal for $30 per person or $45 per person, respectively. To make reservations, call 269.382.1888. To view the menu, visit http://www.fooddancecafe.com/pages_/events_.cfm?EVID=59&TYPE=3.