Many of us will be celebrating Valentine’s Day differently this year. Without being able to go out for a meal or a drink, you have to think outside the box to show your partner or your best mate some love. Businesses have jumped on board with finish-at-home meal kits to offer that restaurant experience, but if you fancy something a bit different, we’ve got you. Welcome to our pick of the best Covid-safe, last-minute Valentine’s Day events.
Vibe Tribe love yourself workshop
It feels like a lifetime since we were allowed to let loose on a dancefloor, but you can change that with the help of Vibe Tribe. Get your groove on with their sassy dance class where the focus is on feeling fabulous. You won’t even have to worry about jostling for a spot – a bit of space in your living room will do! And, in the spirit of loving yourself (‘cos if you can’t love yourself…), self-love activist Adelaide Fisher will be talking about how to start a self-love practice. So grab yourself and your (virtual) mates for a session that’s sure to put a smile on your face.
Sunday, 14th February; 12 – 1pm; £5 per person
vibetribedance.co.uk
Romeo & Juliet
One for the culture-vultures among you, ATG are streaming a production of the Shakespearean tragedy as you’ve never seen it before. Directed by Nick Evans, who’s given the classic a youthful and modern update, the filmed theatre production makes use of cutting-edge technology to meet Covid restrictions. Starring Sir Derek Jacobi, Sam Tutty and Emily Redpath, it’s on for two weeks, but if you fancy it on Valentine’s Day, you can choose from start times of 2.30pm or 7.30pm. So what will it be, star-crossed lovers by day or by night?
From £15; various screen times Saturday 13th – Saturday 27th February
Romeo & Juliet
Special Valentine’s Quest
Now this is a date with a difference. How can you not feel loved if somebody surprises you with an adventure tailored to you and your likes? Crafted Quests (the brainchild of Gogglebox‘s Alex Michael) are doing just that. They’re building a bespoke city-wide Valentine’s adventure for one lucky couple. So what can you expect? An unexpected knock at the door will bring a bunch of flowers and your first clue. You’ll solve puzzles and decode ciphers to find your next destination, discovering props, instructions and Valentine’s treasures hidden around the city as you go. It doesn’t get more romantic than this!
Sunday, 14th February; from £75; get in touch by midday on Thursday 11th
craftedquests.co.uk
An evening with Whitney Houston
Romantics will love this online concert dedicated to ‘the prom queen of soul’. The intimate event will celebrate the incredible love songs Whitney produced during her career. Yep, the ‘Greatest Love of All’ will be in your front room one way or another. Shanay Holmes, who played the lead in the West End production of The Bodyguard, will be the star of the night. The concert will be fully interactive with the chance for a personal serenade in your living room. Dressing up is encouraged, but after all these lockdowns, we need no excuse to get suited and booted and have a glamorous night, do we? Just don’t forget the bubbly!
From £10; 7 – 8pm
Whitney Valentine’s Special
At-home spa day
We all deserve a bit of pampering during this pandemic, so surprising someone special with a relaxing treat could be the perfect treat. Brighton-based spas Little Jasmine and The Treatment Rooms both offer salon-grade products, which you can order to your home. With products ranging from sumptuous aromatherapy facial kits to exfoliators and soothing masks, your skin is sure to be glowing on Monday morning! Order some candles from the brilliant Wick in Hove, get the bubble bath going (sunglasses optional), scatter those rose petals and forget all about the stresses of the world around you with a relaxing Valentine’s Day to remember.
Prices vary
Cocktail night
Everyone loves a cocktail, right? And just because we’re in lockdown, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out. Happily, several Brighton-based bars are offering ready-made cocktail delivery, including Mama’s Cocktail Bar (their raspberry margarita is The Best), The Preston Brewery Tap, Pick Your Poison, In The Loop Drinks, and Lucky Pineapple for the ultimate Insta-worthy DIY experience (you’ll find more in our gift guide). Feeling creative? Then we’d recommend stocking up on supplies at the local shop and holding a competition between you and your loved one at home. Just remember to add some paracetamol to the shopping list if competitiveness is a theme of your relationship.
Prices vary
Stradivarius Piano Trio
For a classical touch, lend an ear to these three superb musicians this Valentine’s Day. You’ll be swept off your feet by Andrew Bernardi (violin), Jonathan Few (cello) and Maria Marchant (piano) as they serenade you with an hour-long selection of beautiful songs from some of the world’s greatest composers. They’ll be in the heart of West Sussex as they perform live from the atrium of the gorgeous Leonardslee House in Horsham with Classic FM presenter John Suchet hosting. Even better, the proceeds from the event will not only support the artists but also go to the Alzheimer’s Society, the UK’s largest dementia charity.
£10; 6:30 – 7:30pm
leonardsleegardens.co.uk
Art Sippers experience
Get creative with a paintbrush in one hand and a drink in the other as you join the ‘Art Sippers’ for an interactive night of drinks, painting, trivia and funk & soul music. It’s open to complete beginners, so don’t feel you need to be the next van Gogh to join in. You’ll be given step-by-step instructions of the chosen painting and a five-minute cocktail demonstration for the perfect sip (the name’s beginning to make sense). It’s sure to be a lot of fun with prizes throughout the two-hour experience (get those dad jokes ready!). You’ll need paper, paint and brushes, so it’s time to stock up. It will definitely be worth it though for some guaranteed fun and possibly some wall-worthy art! #SipSipHooray
£9.99 per household (a date box with materials & event ticket is £69); 7 – 9pm
artsippers.com
By Oscar Edwards
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