Valentine’s Day is this weekend and I’m sure the significant others out there are frantically thinking up plans for showing their special someone how much they love them. Sure, there’s flowers, dinner, chocolates, etc. but personally, I relish the times when my wife and I have gone out and enjoyed some good music. Whether we be dancing or just swaying to the beat, music has a transformative quality that makes us feel that we’re the only ones in the room and that the musicians are playing just for us.

So, this week, I’m going to highlight some musical events that are sure to get you in the mood for love. Doesn’t matter where you’re at or what kind of music you dig, I’m sure there’s something here for everyone.

Valentine’s Day – Friday, February 14

Loves Me- Presented by Marco Collins – Seattle, Washington   Get your romance on with an intimate evening curated by Marco Collins showcasing a cross section of diverse NW artists. Featuring live performances from: Shelby Earl, Shaprece (with IG88), Shawn Smith (Brad/Satchel), Maiah Manser and Mark Shirtz.

Always… Patsy Cline – Conway, Washington   Ria Peth Vanderpool and Kelly Bohon reprise their roles as Patsy Cline and Louise Seger, respectively. The musicality and humor of the two on stage is a can’t miss! Join them at The Conway Muse, the perfect venue for such a show. The show opens on VALENTINES DAY, and runs Friday and Saturday evenings for six weeks! Dine before the show in the restaurant, or bring your dinner and drinks from the restaurant into the theater with you! The laid back atmosphere of the theater is perfect for a special date night.

An Evening of Love and Laughter with Peter Yarrow – A benefit concert for Wisdom of the Elders – Portland, Oregon   Wisdom for the Elders is pleased and honored to announce a benefit concert with Peter Yarrow of the famous folk trio from the ’60’s Peter, Paul & Mary. For over 50 years Peter has dedicated his life to social justice issues, peace activism, educational initiatives and a better world.  This Friday, Valentine’s Day, Peter will lead us through songs right out of our American history and into contemporary issues of anti-bullying and youth education; songs like “Leaving on a Jet Plane” “Blowing in the Wind” “If I Had a Hammer” “Don’t Laugh at Me” and “Puff.”

Love on Bourbon St. – Ashland, Oregon   This Valentine’s Day be transported to Bourbon Street, the sultry, seductive heart of the French Quarter New Orleans! The concert will feature the musical stylings of legendary saxophonist Karl Denson and his amazing eight-piece band – Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. Denson has moved bodies and minds dating back to his earliest years with Lenny Kravitz’s band through his ongoing tenure as a founding member of seminal boogaloo revivalists The Greyboy Allstars and his current role as a member of San Diego dub rockers Slightly Stoopid. Fans know when KDTU is in town it’s party time! The fantastic and bombastic Dave Clay will be the Master of Ceremonies. Dave will orchestrate the dinner theater experience, featuring performance art by members of Levity, emily alrick, Wanderlust Circus and many others. The performance art will be complemented by a five course gourmet Cajun meal presented by Iron Chef, Neil Clooney of Smithfields Restaurant in Ashland.

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE-The Songs of the Eagles – Roseville, California   Spend Valentine’s Day with the one you love and enjoy a tribute band that is sure to take you on a musical journey that transports you to the very best of times with similar chart-topping music of The Eagles.

The Peter Pupping Quartet Valentines Concert – Encinitas, California   Romantic Valentine’s Day concert featuring nuevo flamenco, bossa nova, samba, Cuban, Latin jazz and contemporary music with the Peter Pupping Quartet. If you like the Gipsy Kings, Ottmar Leibert, The Buena Vista Social Club, Jessie Cooke, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Carlos Santana you will love this concert.

Rave On : A Buddy Holly Tribute – Middleton, Wisconsin   Rave On! re-invents the ordinary tribute show with an electrifying, high-energy, rock n’ roll extravaganza featuring America’s premiere Buddy Holly interpreter, Billy McGuigan, who is a dead-ringer for the legendary rocker. Backed by the rockin’ Rave On Band, their incredible musicianship helps ignite the stage and breathe new life into the music of Buddy Holly.

Heartland Café’s Valentines Day Barn Dance – Chicago, Illinois   Come out and enjoy Valentine’s Day in a low key but high energy way! The Heartland Cafe’s having a barn dance, with Jo Mortland calling. You don’t need to know how to dance, Jo will provide a basic lesson. You don’t need a partner, although pairs are welcome. Live music by The Mudflapps! PLUS, they’ll have a delicious all-you-can eat dessert table for your Valentine sweet tooth. Fresh chocolate-dipped fruits and other goodies. Vegan chocolate cake, carrot cake and more!

Of Love & Mischief: A Valentine’s Day Celebration with Caravan of Thieves – Winchester, Virginia   Join Bright Box Theater this Valentine’s Day as they celebrate love with a twist: TWO floors of fantastic-ness: decadence and dancing! The Gypsy Heart Cafe will OPEN AT 7PM upstairs for a gourmet chocolate bar, featuring the most decadent and outlandish of treats! Expect chocolate covered grasshoppers, chocolate fountains, chocolate covered bacon and habanero peppers, and LOTS more to titilate the senses. Enjoy soft roving accordion and violin in a dimly lit cafe perfect for Love & Mischief! A cash bar will be offering plenty to choose from. The featured performers for the evening are the magical Caravan of Thieves. The husband and wife team affectionately known as Fuzz & Carrie will bring their special love with a brilliant circus-y twist. Driving gypsy jazz rhythms, acoustic guitars, upright bass and violin lay the foundation for mesmerizing vocal harmonies and fantastic stories. If Django Reinhardt, the cast of Stomp and The Beatles all had a party at Tim Burton’s house, Caravan of Thieves would be the band they hired.

Steamy Valentine’s Night @ Russian Baths – Brooklyn, New York   Break out your bikini or swim trunks, and join Gemini & Scorpio‘s hand-picked crowd of artsy, funky (and nearly naked) New Yorkers for the glorious return of their legendary Russian Baths party. Guests will have the banya to themselves, with a few hand-picked professionals on hand for the optional platzas and massages. Enjoy: Russian, Turkish and Swedish steam rooms, jacuzzi and cold plunge pool; poolside dance floor; rooftop smoking deck; hookah lounge and chillout rooms; authentic and delicious Russian food in a private restaurant room with a view of the dance floor. The dance floor will be sizzling with live Balkan brass bands & ethno-mesh DJs till 2am while the hosts dole out pierogies for everyone. There will be an open vodka bar 9-10pm. This is the kind of party you always imagine, but can never quite find in real life…and the only one where you’ll come out cleaner than when you came in.