Sweet treats in Eastern Iowa for Valentine’s week

When Valentine’s Day falls midweek, we get two weekends to celebrate the year’s sweetest holiday. However, Feb. 14 is the first day of Lent, so those who observe that season, will have to choose their dining options more carefully.

And never fear: If sweet makes you sour, a couple of events in the Corridor are tailored just for you.

WINE & DINE

Feb. 10, 2024: Chocolate Love, 1 to 4 p.m., Center Point Historical Society, 700 E. Washington St., Center Point. Free chocolate festival, with a chocolate fountain, cocoa bar, kissing booth, homemade chocolate goodies.

Feb. 11, 2024: Galentine’s Day Brunch, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, 1441 Marak Rd. NW, Swisher. Features brunch buffet; complementary mimosa; cocktails for purchase; coloring sheets with your favorite lady icons; group photo booth; music; pop-up shops with candles, pastries and jewelry 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Buffet cost: $19.99 plus tax, reservations required at (319) 857-4300. cedarridgedistillery.com/event/galentines-day-brunch/

Feb. 14, 2024: Linn County Tales of Love and Romance, 6 to 9 p.m., The History Center, 800 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner served at 6:30 p.m. On Valentine's Day, headlines often turn to stories of love. We’re turning to our community's news archives to find the most touching, most amazing and most hilarious tales of romance; narrated by Rob Cline, music by Alisabeth Von Presley. Cost: $60 per person, includes one drink ticket, historycenter.org/valentines

Feb. 14, 2024: Eagles Valentine’s Dinner and Dance, 6 to 10 p.m. Cedar Rapids Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2272, at 1735 11th St. NW, Cedar Rapids. Bacon-wrapped smoked pork loin, twice-baked potato, salad, roll, chocolate-covered strawberries, bottle of red or white wine. Cost: $25 singles, $40 couples; foe2272.com/future-events

WEEKEND AWAY

Feb. 9 to 11, 2024: Romance Weekend in the Amana Colonies. Die Heimat Country Inn, 4434 V St., Homestead, has packaged a two-night stay that includes its hot gourmet breakfast each morning, two tickets to “Death by Disco” murder mystery dinner theater at Fireside Winery, and an add-on package in your room that includes a hand thrown pottery mug by owner Marc and a dozen homemade, decorated sugar cookies. Check in: 4 p.m. Feb. 9. Check-out: 11 a.m. Feb. 11. Cost: $520 for two people. Reservations: (319) 622-3937 or email at dieheimat@southslope.net.

MUSIC & MORE

Feb. 9 and 10, 2024: Love is in the Details, 7:30 p.m., Opus Concert Cafe, 119 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Valentine’s Cabaret featuring Amy Friedl and Luke Viertel as they reflect on the intricacies of love and relationships with just their voices blended together with piano. Music ranges from Ray Charles to Joni Mitchell. Tickets: $32, artsiowa.com/tickets/concerts/love-is-in-the-details/

Feb. 10 and 11, 2024: 50 Years of Love Songs, Starlighters II Theatre, 200 E. Main St., Anamosa. This musical event showcases the love songs from musicals that Starlighters II Theatre has staged over the past 50 years. Some of the original cast members from those musicals will be coming back for an extra special trip down Memory Lane. When: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 2 p.m. Feb. 11. Tickets: $15, starlighters.org/ticket-sales

Feb. 14: Candlelight Concerts, The Midnight Gem, 2613 Ders Dr. NW, Swisher. Listeso String Quartet: 6:30 p.m. “Romeo & Juliet” and more; 8:45 p.m. A Tribute to Coldplay; $40 to $65 per concert, themidnightgem.com

FAMILIES & YOUTHS

Feb. 10, 2024: Valentine's Day Family Storytime, 10:30 to 11 a.m., Storytime Room, Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St. Iowa City. For all ages and includes both shorter and longer stories combined with action games and activities. Cost: Free. icpl.org/events/53371/valentines-day-family-storytime

Feb. 10, 2024: Family Night: Share the Love! 4 to 6 p.m., Storytime Room, Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St. Iowa City. All ages are welcome to create homemade valentines for all of the residents of Melrose Meadows, a local senior living community. Supplies provided, with information about the residents to help you make a custom valentine. Cost: Free. icpl.org/events/53373/family-night-share-love

Feb. 11, 2024: Sweetheart Party and Playtime, 9 a.m. to noon every Sunday in February, The Play Cafe, 143 Marion Blvd., Marion. For toddlers and their siblings to enjoy love-filled activities specially designed for this heartwarming month. Cost: $8 per child; socks required, reservations and details at app.getoccasion.com/xp/GX6BLHMZ

Feb. 11, 2024: Sunday Funday: Alma Thomas Heart Mosaics, 2 to 4 p.m., Storytime Room, Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St. Iowa City. To celebrate Valentine's Day and Black History Month, create collage heart mosaics based on the art style of Black artist Alma Thomas, known for her vibrant colored abstractions made after she turned 60 years old. Thomas's work “Resurrection” (1966) is the first painting made by an African American woman to hang in the public spaces of the White House as part of a permanent collection. Cost: Free. icpl.org/events/53365/sunday-funday-alma-thomas-heart-mosaics

Feb. 12, 2024: Valentine’s Building Activity, 2 to 3 p.m., Ely Public Library, 1595 Dows St., Ely. With everything you need to build the tallest and strongest structures with the supplies provided. Free and open to all ages. ely.lib.ia.us/

Feb. 13, 2024: Valentine’s Day Music and Movement, 10 to 10:30 a.m., Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W. Willman St., Hiawatha. Celebrate with songs, stories and movement presented by the Orchestra Iowa School. Families are encouraged to attend and make music together. hiawathapubliclibrary.org/

Feb. 14, 2024: Valentine’s Day Cupcake Decorating for Tweens, 4 to 4:30 p.m., Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W. Willman St., Hiawatha. Tweens ages 9 to 12 are invited to transform a plain cupcake into something lovely and good enough to eat. Free. hiawathapubliclibrary.org/

MATURE AUDIENCES

Feb. 9 and 10: Bawdy Bawdy Ha Ha presents “Bawdy Heat.” Valentine’s Day burlesque, $30 to $50 VIP. Cedar Rapids: 8 p.m. Feb. 9, The Olympic South Side Theater, 1202 Third St. SE, Suite 200, Cedar Rapids, theolympiccr.com/events/burlesque-show. Iowa City: 8 p.m. Feb. 10, The James Theater, 213 N. Gilbert St., thejamesic.com/

Feb. 9 and 10, 2024: Bloodlust haunting, 7 to 10 p.m., The 5th Realm haunted attraction, inside near Lindale Mall’s First Avenue Entrance, 4444 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. Long ago, famed vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing imprisoned the Master, Vlad Draculea, in The 5th Realm. His faithful servant, Renfield, learned the ancient spell that banished Vlad and has released him into the asylum. Blending interactive theater with a traditional haunted house, guests will search for clues throughout the haunt to learn the incantation to banish the vampires back to The 5th Realm. Tickets: $24, enterthe5threalm.com/

Feb. 10, 2024: My Bloody Valentine and Aphelion Afterdark After Party, 6 p.m., CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Features five bands, followed by an after party with DJ Grimm. Warning: This event is all ages but features extreme and bloody decorations that may not be suitable for everyone. Also, costume contest for bloodiest, best dressed, and more; giveaways, prizes, drink special, horrific “Love is Messy” art exhibit. Bands: Grave Corps, Abstract Forms, Dark Agenda, Fish Bait, Polyachi. Tickets: $15 advance, $18 door, includes after party; or $10 after party alone; cspshall.org/my-bloody-valentine

THEATER

“Company”: various times through Feb. 11, 2024, Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, Why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st century could drive a person crazy. Tickets: $40 to $150, desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/company

SOLD OUT: “Death by Disco”: Feb. 9 and 10, 2024, Fireside Winery, 1755 P Ave., Marengo. TKM Theatrical Productions presents a comedic murder mystery dinner theater production of “Death by Disco,” by James Daab. Return to the 1970s at The Land of Oz Discoteria, and the World Championship King and Queen of Disco Dance Contest. The finalists will be bumping to that disco beat, hoping to be crowned the new monarch of the light fantastic. The DJ, The Boogie Man, will be spinning some killer tunes, so put on your polyester and your platform shoes, because one of the contestants will Cha-Cha right into the chain gang as murder erupts. When: Seating begins at 6:30 p.m., first course at 7 p.m., performance starts shortly after. Tickets sold out: $75, (319) 662-4222 or firesidewinery.com/events

“Something Rotten!” Feb. 9 to March 3, Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids From the co-director of “The Book of Mormon” and the producer of “Avenue Q” comes something original, something hilarious, something rotten. Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that overrated Shakespeare guy. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theater involves singing, dancing and acting — at the same time — Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $25 to $59, theatrecr.org/event/something-rotten-2/2024-02-09/

“Sondheim on Sondheim”: Feb. 9 to 11, by City Circle Theatre Company at Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St., Coralville. A celebration of the master of the modern musical, the late Stephen Sondheim. Full of stories and music, this event includes audience-favorite songs from “Into the Woods,” “West Side Story,” “Company,” “A Little Night Music,” and more. When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and 10, 2 p.m. Feb. 11. Tickets: $24 adults, $20 ages 65 and up, $16 students, $30 premium seating; $10 student rush one hour before curtain Feb. 10; coralvillearts.org/276/Sondheim-on-Sondheim

LITERATURE, TALES

Feb. 12, 2024: Author Event with romance writer Denise Williams, 6 to 7 p.m., Marion Public Library, 1101 Sixth Ave., Marion. An evening of love, laughter and literary joy as Williams shares the passion behind her novels. Books will be available to purchase. Admission: Free. Hosts: HEA Book Boutique, Marion Public Library and Swamp Fox Bookstore. Details: swampfoxbookstore.com/events/32453

Feb. 17, 2024: Romance Lovers in the Library, 2 to 4 p.m., Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; for ages 18 and over, free. Meet Chloe Angyal, author of romance novel “Pas De Don't,” for an author discussion and sweet treats. Then join forces to create a "Dude, Where's My Shirt?" book display. Finally, challenge yourself with romance book and television trivia and bingo. Shop Friends of the Library Romance Book Sale all day. crlibrary.org/

Feb. 18, 2024: Valentine’s Day Around the World, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Granger House Museum, 970 10th St., Marion. Hear stories about Valentine’s Day and how some of the traditions came to be. Cost: $10; reservations at grangerhouse.org/events

POTPOURRI

Feb. 10, 2024: Marion Winter Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Marion American Legion Post 298, at 625 31st St., Marion. Valentine’s theme selfie photo booth, plus specialty foods, handcrafted and homemade goods, and small business wares. Admission: Free. marionsun.com/wintermarket/

Feb. 10, 2024: Love at Lightning Speed, 5 to 9 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 4640 N. River Blvd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Speed dating event for ages 30 and up. Each single will go on a series of mini-dates lasting about 3 to 4 minutes. After each date, you can indicate on the sheet provided if there is a match. The sheets will be collected, and if there is a mutual connection, The Heart Agency will do a formal email introduction of both parties. Cost: $45 Speed Dating and Mixer, $25 Mixer Only; both include a drink ticket. theheartagency.com/valentines-mixer/

Feb. 13, 2024: Palentine’s Day Celebration: Meet the Pets, 1 to 2 p.m., Iowa City Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St., Iowa City. Learn about the pet adoption process, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center. Plus, meet some adoptable pets. Cost: Free; register at icgov.org/residents/calendar or (319) 356-5220.

Until Feb. 14, 2024: Toad-ally In Love, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, 350 E. Third St., Dubuque. Name a Wyoming Toad tadpole or breeding toad, or purchase a Toad Note for $5 to put on display at the museum Box Offices. For each named tadpole or toad, a digital certificate with the name will be sent via email in time for gifting on Valentine’s Day. Proceeds will directly impact the River Museum’s efforts with the Wyoming Toad breeding program, protecting and supporting a species classified as extinct in the wild. rivermuseum.org/events/toad-ally-love

Feb. 14: Luminaria Walk, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Bellevue State Park, 21466 429th Ave., Bellevue. Stroll a candle lit trail, starting near the Nature Center in the Nelson Unit. Free; open to all ages. Details: (563) 652-3783.

Feb. 15, 2024: Stained Glass Hearts, 6 to 9 p.m., Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, 907 17th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Create a heart or choose from another one-and-done design in this one-night class with local artist George Madlon. Cost: $55, includes supplies; ages 16 and older invited to participate with a parent. Register at easterniowaartsacademy.org/classes.

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com