It’s that time of year again where we’re reminded of exactly where we stand in our romantic relationships — Valentine’s Day. Some love it, some hate it, and some strive to make one big joke of it, but no matter how you’re feeling, the date is certainly impending. This Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the week on a Wednesday, but Denver will still be lively enough to give you some way to celebrate. We found 11 shows happening that evening — some love-centric, others absolutely not — so that there will be something for everyone, no matter what your relationship status is.
LISTEN: Local Love Songs to Annoy Your Coworkers with On Valentine’s Day
For The Old-Timey Lovers
Kathryn Radakovich Quintet
When: 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Where: Nocturne Jazz
Cost: $95; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: This is easily the most traditionally romantic event on our list, with a four-course tasting menu to accompany the musical performances. With two seatings, at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., Denver’s lovebirds have two chances to experience an evening that will take you back in time with renditions of vintage torch songs. The quintet consists of Kathryn Radakovich herself, along with Matt Smiley on bass, Dru Heller on drums, Annie Booth on piano and Gabriel Mervine on trumpet, and is sure to deliver one idyllic Valentine’s Day.
For The “Galentines”
“Sweethearts of the Rodeo” featuring Chella and the Charm, Ryann & Lee, Jennifer Nicely, Bonnie & Tyler and Five Mile Woods
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Hi-Dive
Cost: $7; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Grab your best group of pals, because this is Denver’s unofficial Galentine’s Day show. Who needs a boo when you’ve got the “three C’s” — cocktails, country music and your crew. The evening features some of “Denver’s finest female-fronted country music,” which is exactly what your non-celebratory V-Day needs this year. Instead of pretending like it’s not the most suffocatingly romantic day of the year, let’s embrace it in all of its cheesy glory, and celebrate the best of friendships.
READ: Hi-Dive is Hosting a Valentine’s Day Show Featuring All Women
For The Disco Couple
An Evening with ABBA MANIA!
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Oriental Theater
Cost: $22; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Mamma Mia, will this be a fun time next Wednesday evening. The pop supergroup that took stages, cinemas and stereos by storm is back in the form of this cover band. This is an ideal show for lovers or friends — so dancing queens, we’ll see you on the dance floor.
For The Epitomic Local Couple
Jessica Jones & The Project
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Be On Key Psychadelic Ripple
Cost: $5; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: A local singer-songwriter that has collaborated and performed with dozens of artists and groups, Jessica Jones is bringing her weekly show to Be On Key on Wednesday evening. Self-proclaimed as the soul singer in “that band,” Jones has even performed with New Orleans funkers Galactic. Since Jones owns the stage each Wednesday night, she’ll be warmed up and ready to give you a soulful V-Day.
For The Hip-Hop Couple
G Perico
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Larimer Lounge
Cost: $15; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: One of the hottest up-and-coming hip-hop artists, G Perico hails from LA but is quickly becoming known throughout the nation as an artist-to-know. Coming off the release of not one, not two, but three albums, the soon-to-be superstar will have a plethora of material to Denver’s hip-hop scene.
For The Electronic Couple
RE:Search featuring Supervision (Pretty Lights Live) with Valerie Molano, Mikey Thunder and Jordan Polovina
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
Cost: $5-10; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: This show is a stacked lineup of incendiary DJs, topped off with RE:Search, which is being promoted as Pretty Lights Live. The group consists of Pretty Lights members, along with the trio that makes up Supervision — Richard Blake Hasnsen, Michael Menert and Vincent Smith. If you and your boo love to rage electronic music, then this is the sort of romantic evening you’ll want.
For The Couple Who Likes Trying New Things
1000 Mods with Telekinetic Yeti
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Globe Hall
Cost: $14; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: 1000 Mods will bring its heavy rock-psychedelia to Denver from Greece, where the band was founded in 2006. Since then, they’ve graced stages all across Europe at festivals and concerts. The band is unique in that they use vintage equipment, which compliments their passionate onstage performances. For the couples who strive to discover new and interesting bands, this is the show for you.
For The Punk Couple
Floating Teeth
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Lost Lake
Cost: $8; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Falling into the genres of emo and indie rock, Floating Teeth had a special message for Denver fans about the upcoming show that they shared on Facebook — “bring ur bae or we will be ur bae this Valentine’s Day.” Enjoy.
For The Couple Looking For A Throwback
Howard Jones
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Soiled Dove Underground
Cost: *sold out
The Lowdown: If you and your boo are into ’80’s music, then you’d better start searching on the World Wide Web for extra tickets to this sold-out show. Instrumentalist Howard Jones will be at the Soiled Dove for a two-night run next week, because how could anyone pass up the chance to witness live performances of Jones’ hits, like “What Is Love?”
For The Couple That Loves To Get Funky
Chaos in the CBD
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Bar Standard
Cost: $10; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: These brothers from New Zealand are not your average house music duo. The pair started out with classic house music, and from there interpret jazz to create something special, something extra groovy. Their latest releases have even included a horn section, adding extra funk to the already booty-shaking sound, which they’re bringing to Bar Standard for one spicy V-Day celebration.
For The Classy Couple
Megan Burtt (early show) and Slaid Cleaves (late show)
When: 6 and 8:30 p.m.
Where: DazzleJazz
When: 6 and 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $15; Get tickets here. Late show sold out.
The Lowdown: Paired with a three-course pre fixe dinner menu, singer/songwriter Megan Burtt will please the Dazzle crowd for the first seating, and folk guitarist Slaid Cleaves will awe the crowd during the second seating. Either way you go, it’s bound to be an ideal setting for an intimate evening with your other half.