Valentine’s Day – love it or hate it, it’s HERE, and you’ve got plenty of options throughout the weekend. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, somewhere in between, or just looking for an excuse to dry hump your significant other in public, we’re happy to inform that Bushwick’s got OPTIONS. (If you’re an art & love lover, check out our sexy art picks here.)
(By Maria Gotay and Katarina Hybenova)
On the V-Day’s Eve, stock up on new NYC condoms
National Condom Awareness Day @ The Bridging Bushwick Garden, 900 Broadway, Brooklyn (FRI 12-4PM, $free)
What is a better way to start the weekend of love, than to stock up on some newly branded NYC condoms? The Health Department and CAMBA’s NYC Condom Distribution Program will unveil a new addition to the City’s NYC branded condoms: The KYNG condom and a new design for the NYC branded condom this coming Friday at The Bridging Bushwick Garden!
If you’re willing to use spells and magick to be loved…
Hoodoo Your Love: Love (and LUST!) Spells Around The World @ Catland, 987 Flushing Ave (FRI 7-9.30PM, $10-20 sliding scale)
Join the shaman and hoodoo rootdoctor, Khi Armand from Brooklyn, for a night of love magick anthropology. This workshop promises to cover a wide-range of the symbolism, techniques, and entities called upon in love and sex spells around the world.
To benefit a cool new webseries about singles’ and online dating…
Us/3 Production’s Bitter Ball @ Owl Juice Pub, 48 Wyckoff Ave (FRI 8PM – midnight; $25)
Owl Juice Pub is hosting a night to benefit Mix-Matched, an improvisational mockumentary style webseries following singles as they hit the highs and lows of online dating. During the evening you’ll get a sneak peak at the webseries trailer, meet the cast, and enjoy wine, food, and door prizes!
For some serious romance pregaming…
Brooklyn Wildlife presents: Love and Eros @ The Paper Box, 17 Meadow St., Brooklyn (FRI from 9PM, $?)
For Valentine’s Day eve, Brooklyn Wildlife has prepared a night of art, film, poetry and music at The Paper Box in Brooklyn. Couples, singles and non-traditionals are all welcome to the “gathering to edify companionship, passion, desire and intimacy – all expressed in the art, music, dance and poetry that will take place throughout the evening.”
Start your V-Day early with brunch
AP/BRUNCHVIBES (with LOVE) @ AP Cafe, 420 Troutman St., Brooklyn (SAT 11PM)
AP Cafe has a BRUNCHVIBES series going on (think cocktails and DJs) and this Saturday’s edition is said to be the sexiest, sweetest and most lovable yet. Join the crowds early, enjoy the love celebration day!
Get super-cheesy at Shwick
SHWiCK Market of Makers – Valentine’s Day Edition @ Shwick, 6 Charles Pl., Bushwick (SAT 11AM-6PM, $free)
After brunch wander to Shwick Market. You can use their Microphone of Love to serenade your special someone. They will be selling $2 roses whole day and will provide craft supplies to make V-Day cards. Yes, It’s going to be that cheezy. But sometimes cheese is all you need.
V-day Eve = everybody gets laid:
EYES WIDE FUCKED 2k15: a Valentine’s Masquerade Ball @ Alphaville 140 Wilson (FRI 8PM, $?)
On your average weeknight things are usually pretty sloppy here at Alphaville. Now IMAGINE: all those lonely hipsters getting extra wasted because they’re being single-shamed…to the love-gasmic soundtrack of The Love Supreme. Panties are gonna drop y’all.
Impress your “into indie rock” Tinder date:
HBR’s 3rd annual Valentine’s Day Showcase @ Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan St (SAT 8PM, $FREE)
Do some research beforehand and you’ll look like a total genius. First, brush up on Pine Box’s list of vegan beer and empanadas, then impress your date with your lust for not only them…but also for saving animals. Study up on these bands (Maginot, The Planes, The Dregs, Dialogue from a Silent Film, & Dahl Haus) and show off your knowledge of only the indiest at the free rock’n’roll in the back room. Then slip in the fact that Pine Box Rock Shop used to be a coffin-making factory. SCORE. Knowledge is sexy.
If you’re looking for some romance in your (dull) relationship:
Mister Lies, Eskimeaux, My Favorite & Band Practice @ Shea Stadium 20 Meadow St (SAT 8PM, $?)
If your significant other never takes off his/her faux-prescription glasses and sometimes insists on wearing a sweater to bed (“but it’s so COLD!), we understand the romance might be on the back burner. But we assume you guys really love each other, and other things, like Pocky and Game of Thrones, so we’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say this show might be the best bet. Find tenderness in this concert, guided by romantic and soft music, dim lighting, a balcony for a smoke– and you don’t even have to leave the ‘hood. We hope this lights some fire.
Share the love with friends:
#BUSHWICKLOVE PARTY @ Fine & Raw Chocolate Factory 288 Seigel Street (SAT 8PM $?)
If this isn’t your first time around the love merry-go-round, you’ll have gotten over all the Valentine’s Day hype. Could celebrate with friends, lovers, significant others, and strangers in a badass benefit party in a chocolate factory! Donation-based entry and free chocolate!
If you’re looking for love…
RUBULAD !!! “A Spy in the Warehouse of Love” Valentine’s Day Party @ Secret Location (SAT 10PM, $20)
If you’re in the mood for an all-out V-Day celebration, look no further! Art/warehouse party Rubulad has some Valentine’s making craft stations, kissing booths, women on stilts, and heart-shaped everything awaiting for you. It’s impossible NOT to be in a romantic mood when literally everything is wrapped in a shade of red. Find a corner and makeout without shame.
If you’re looking for love and are willing to play dating games…
Hugs Before Tugs @ King’s County Saloon, 1 Knickerbocker Ave, Brookyn (SAT 9PM, $free)
King’s County Saloon has a definitive solution for those looking for love (or at least a manual release). This special Bushwick flavored dating game, Hugs Before Tugs hosted by locally beloved drag queen and hostess of the Smallest Penis in Brooklyn Pageant, Ms. Chicken Bitches, allows Brooklyn lonelyhearts to meet like minded individuals in a highly inebriated environment. Contestants will compete in a dating-game style format which involves over-sharing and short displays of improvisational talent and wit. Anyone who wants to become a contestant should send an email to [email protected] with “hugs before tugs” in the subject. Include your contact info, a brief personal statement, and sexual preference. This event is open to swingers and multiples!
Mega dance off for the LGBTQ community
Hot Rabbit presents… Valentine’s Day Party @ Lot 45, 411 Troutman St, Brooklyn (SAT 10PM-4AM, $5 before midnight,$8 after)
LGBTQ dance party collective Hot Rabbit is inviting everyone to a stoplight party, which means wear…GREEN if your single and ready to mingle; YELLOW if maybe you do, maybe you don’t…; RED if you’re off the market and just wanna dance!
If your date didn’t go as planned:
TUNNEL VISION: VALENTINES DAY DEATHMATCH EDITION with ITAL & HALAL @ Bossa Nova Civic Club 1271 Myrtle Ave (SAT 10PM, $)
If something went horrifically wrong during your date (she wasn’t into bathroom sex / he had an allergic reaction / etc) and you end up alone any time between 10 and 3:45, you might as well truck it over to Bossa Nova, where the music will be heavy and the grinding dirty. Maybe you’ll score a second chance to woo someone with your terribly white dance moves.
Let out your inner animal:
Kostume Kult’s Baaaaad Valentine @ Union Square Ballroom, Union Sq W (SAT 10PM, $20/30)
Kostume Kult is serious about their over-the-top outfits, and this party is themed somewhere along the lines of Burner goes to the Zoo. Attractions include: Petting Zoo, Naughty Pinatas, Chinese Goat Alter, Goat Portraits by Emri & Link, Horny Goat Photobooth & more. Basically, fashion yourself a light-up vest, throw on some goat’s ears, you’re basically guaranteed some heavy petting.
If you just want it to be like any other Saturday Night:
Trabajo, L00K (ATL), Steve Sobs, Many Mansions, It Is Rain In My Face @ Trans Pecos, 915 Wyckoff Ave (SAT 10PM, $8)
It’s gonna be a fairly normal time over at Trans-Pecos, where some Bushwick groups do their Bushwick thang (yea we kno it’s in Ridgewood). You might even be able to forget it’s Vday altogether!
If the only person you’re trying to love for once is yourself
Yin + Reiki Workshop: A Journey to Self Love @ Daya Yoga, 360 Jefferson St, Brooklyn (SAT 6-8PM, suggested donation $15)
How can you love anybody else if you don’t even love yourself? V-Day might be the perfect time to join Yin Yoga teacher Kiersten Cregger and Reiki Master Corinne Feinberg for combine a slow, introspective yoga practice with energy healing to create a unique opportunity for self-care. This special workshop encourages participants to get out of their heads and into their hearts, taking the time to be present with emotions and explore where and how they manifest in the physical body.
Use your love & yoga for a good cause
Valentine’s Day Benefit Yoga Class for the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore @ Loom Yoga, 1087 Flushing Ave (SAT 6:30-7:45PM, suggested donation $15)
Loom Yoga Center is organizing a special Valentine’s Day yoga class, proceeds from which will be 100% donated to the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx. Children’s Hospital at Montefiore provides an extensive range of specialty health services for children and deliver the highest quality medical care for children of all backgrounds — including some of the most complex medical and surgical cases.
Continue the love also on Sunday
♥`·.¸¸.·´*´¯`··._.·PoRTAL OF LoVE`·.¸¸.·´´¯`*··._.·♥ @ Museum of Sex, 233 Fifth Ave. (at 27th St.) (SUN 10PM till late; $25-30)
Bushwick’s party, love and mysticism collective, House of Screwball takes over the Museum of Sex for an otherworldly party, where dreamers manifest beauty through human interaction. They will feature, Lesphinxx, Fritz Donnelly, Lindsee Lonesome, DJ Sex Libris, and more. Think 4 floors, 6 rooms, and 2 stages.