Do you have that special someone to spend your Valentine’s Day with and want to make that romantic day perfect? Are you anxious to spend this weekend with your loved one, snuggling and sharing Eskimo kisses? Well, move along assholes, this column is not for you.
This column is for all the single people looking for a different way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. There may be some who would rather forget the day all together and go about business as usual, but that is, quite frankly, an impossible task. The flower delivery trucks, Google home page, TV line-ups and canoodling couples all scream, “It’s Valentine’s Day and you are alone!”
But you aren’t! Instead of blocking out the rest of the world or silently crying over your dinner for one, go out and meet the thousands of other single individuals living in Madison. I swear they exist. And instead of unsuccessfully trying to make this an average weekend, embrace the holiday and celebrate.
To me, Valentine’s Day is aimed more towards women (although I did forget to buy an ex a gift once and he got quite upset, so you never know.) The Majestic Theatre picked up on this trend, but added a twist. This Saturday they are hosting an “Anti-Valentine’s Day Ball” in honor of Madison’s hot, single ladies.
The event is 18 and up with free cover for all ladies. Guys pay five dollars to be surrounded by guaranteed single women in the mood for love — sounds like a pretty good deal. Located off of the Capitol Square, the Majestic never fails to provide the ideal space for the ultimate sweaty dance party.
DJ Fusion will spin top 40 tunes and, according to the Facebook invite, “lots of Beyonc?.” There will also be a dance-off to her Grammy winning “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).” With all the Cosmo and Apple Martini specials, I’m sure it will be quiet a show. Dress to impress and head over to the Majestic around 10 p.m. for an unforgettable Valentine’s Eve.
If dancing and partying is not your thing, you might prefer a movie night. I don’t mean going to see “Dear John” with your besties, or rounding the guys up for an enhanced version of “Avatar: 3-D.” Saturday, the Memorial Union hosts a midnight showing of the offbeat indie flick, “Wristcutters: A Love Story” in the Play Circle.
Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006, “Wristcutters” is something of a fantasy romance combined with comedic wit. Zia (Patrick Fugit, “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant”) is distraught after his girlfriend breaks up with him and commits suicide by cutting his wrists. He then finds himself in a limbo-like afterlife for people who committed suicide. Just as he’s settling in to the new surroundings, he discovers that his ex, Desiree (Leslie Bibb, “Law Abiding Citizen”) committed suicide shortly after he did. Zia sets out on a journey to find Desiree, making friends along the way.
While the film may sound disheartening to some, it’s a good choice for anyone who enjoys dark humor and quirky indie flicks. It is most definitely a better option than lying in bed with a quart of Edy’s and “The Notebook.” Who knows? Maybe you will find your Valentine in line for a ticket.
If you need some uplifting entertainment on Sunday, check out The Titanic Players at Memorial Union. The Titanic Players are Madison’s only long form improv comedy troupe, and they’re also the largest collegiate improvisation troupe in the nation. You will fall in love with the hilarious personalities of the four different teams: Brostradamus, Blown to Kingdom Come, The Founders and the new Incubator Team in their debut performance. Long form improv is what member Morgan Crouch describes as “similar to Seinfeld. We take one suggestion from the audience and then perform a 30 minute piece.” The show begins at 7 p.m. at the Play Circle on the 2nd floor of the Memorial Union.
Sunday is also the final day to see “The Vagina Monologues” presented by the Campus Women’s Center. The play is a celebration of women’s strength and sexuality, and is based on a book of the same title by Eve Ensler in which she interviews more than 200 women. It is absolutely spectacular. And you’d be going for a good cause — all proceeds benefit the prevention of violence against women. The performance begins at 3 p.m. at the Union Theater. Tickets are $15 for students and can be purchased at the Memorial Union Theater. It is such a humorous, joyful production, and a great way to spend Valentine’s Day.
For those looking to go out drinking on Sunday evening, I recommend checking out the Ivory Room. Located near the Overture Center, the Ivory Room is a piano bar featuring live performances from many of Madison’s talented musicians. On Sunday night, Mike Massey and Francie will play from 7 to 9 p.m. You can make requests and sing along as they play a variety of genres. The Ivory Room is definitely a different scene than the typical bars on State Street, but for Valentine’s Day it can be fun to do something out of the norm.
Of course there are plenty of other ways to spend your Valentine’s Day in Madison, but these made the top of my list. The real point of this column is that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be an exclusive event for couples. Singles, feel free to join in on the fun! Stop worrying. You might say, “Well, the hook up I met on Saturday night can technically count as my Valentine since we woke up together the next morning, right?” Who cares! Valentine’s Day isn’t depressing or lonely. Really, it’s just another excuse to party.
Jessica Gressa is a junior majoring in journalism. Want to share your love for her column? Email her at [email protected].
