So, it’s the time of year when everyone gets dewy eyed and love struck – yes Valentine’s Day is coming. Not that we’re keen on falling in love with the ‘commercialism’ of it all but it’s good to have an extra excuse to party or wine and dine the ones we love, right? Here’s our pick of what to do, whether you’re coupled up or single and ready to mingle.
Drayton Manor Park – Valentine’s Dinner
Friday 15th February
Tickets £27.50
Bookings call 01827 252408
If you love eating as much as you love your partner, then this could be the dinner for you! There’s a romantic sparkling Rose arrival in the Hamilton Suite, followed by a sumptuous 4 course meal and a never ending chocolate fountain to gorge on. If you need to dance off some calories from the drool worthy fountain, then DJ Noel Walker will be on hand to play the tunes.
Winterbourne House and Garden
University of Birmingham, 58 Edgbaston Park Road
If you’re bored of the normal restaurants, then treat your loved one to a romantic candlelit meal in the popular tea room. This hidden treasure will certainly provide something different for the occasion, bringing a flavour of Edwardian times for the modern day.
Roman Holiday, mac Birmingham
February 14th
Restaurant Bookings slots between 6 – 7.45 pm
For £20 a person
You can grab a loved one or some gal pals and make your way to the screening of the classic film ‘Roman Holiday’ at Birmingham’s Mac. With a sharing platter, glass of bubbly and a trio of mini desserts, you’re definitely in for a treat. So what you waiting for, who better to spend Valentine’s with than Audrey Hepburn?!
Cocktail Masterclass, Jekyll & Hyde
Now this is the way we’d like to ‘un-celebrate’ Valentine’s Day. This hour long course at the pub’s gin parlour will have you serving the most perfect martini – with gin of course! Grab a handful of buddies and learn a few cocktail tricks, play a few games and sip a few samples, hiccup…
Aladdin (pictured)
Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome
From 15th February
Tickets range from £15 – £47.00
Forget having a fancy meal and catch this treacherous tale of love, trickery and triumph instead. Created for the National Ballet of Japan in 2008, Aladdin boasts choreography by the creator of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s brilliant Cinderella and music by Carl Davis, composer of the Company’s Cyrano and numerous well-known television scores including Pride and Prejudice, Cranford, The World at War and Up Pompeii.
Kerrang Tour 2013
O2 Academy
14th February
Tickets £16.50
If you would rather mosh your brains out on V-Day, then get yourself a ticket to this Kerrang extravaganza featuring headliners Black Veil Brides, Chiodos, Tonight Alive and Fearless Vampire Killers.
The Circus of Horrors at New Alexandra Theatre
18th Feb
ruary
Tickets – £13.50 – £27.00
This show will take you on a whirlwind journey featuring the most bizarre, unbelievable and unique performers in the world. This circus began 17 years ago at Glastonbury festival and has performed all over the world to open jawed audiences. This whirlwind journey is set in 1927 Berlin, featuring people hanging from their hair, Girl In The Bottle, Demon Dwarfs, Contortionists, Sword Swallowers, plus great aerial acts and Voodoo Warriors – all alongside a rock’n’roll soundtrack!
Words Kimberley Owen
Area Culture Guide 