Valentine’s Day is just over the hedge. All the women are drenched with anticipation, while the men are already elaborating post-V-Day plans with their buddies at the bar.

Here is a list of dating shindigs happening Thursday, February 14-Saturday, February 16 that try to make the best of both worlds – so the fun of Valentine’s Day can be had by both parties. Choose from the list wisely, and may the love be with you.

Thursday, February 14

Harley-Davidson Valentine’s Day
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2535 Gowanda Zoar Rd., Gowanda
Are you a motorcycle couple? Spend the perfect day by taking a trip to Gowanda to socialize with fellow fellow Harley-Davidson lovers.

Ballroom, Latin and Social Dancing
1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Arthur Murray Dance Center (4524 Bailey Ave., Amherst)
Whether you are single, in a relationship or married, the benefits of ballroom dancing are limitless and can be yours to keep for a lifetime. Dancing techniques include the cha-cha, disco/the hustle, fox trot, mambo, meringue,rumba and more!

Valentine’s Day at Blue Monk
4 p.m.
Blue Monk (727 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo)
Celebrate at the Blue Monk, whether taken or single, with some amazing stouts from Southern Tier, including Choklat, Jahva, Oatmeal, Creme Brule and Mokah. There will also be a special performance from Terry Sullivan at 9 p.m.

Tableside Magic with Magician Mike Seege
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Gardenview Restaurant (1744 Union Rd., West Seneca)
Ladies, how adorable would it be to dine with your man and watch a silly magician do magic tricks? Magician Mike Seege has brought much joy to his guests by entertaining at parties, restaurants and even corporate meetings!

Hearts in the Garden
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Buffalo Botanical Gardens (2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo)
Walk down the florid path while embracing your valentine’s hand. That’ll get the lovebuds sprouting.

LeeRon Zydeco Solo New Orleans Boogie Show
6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Shango Bistro/Wine Bar (3260 Main St., Buffalo)

Ron Davis (a.k.a., LeeRon Zydeco) is a professional keyboardist, accordionist, vocalist and composer, and is the frontman of LeeRon Zydeco & the Hot Tamales, in which he plays accordion and sings. His band plays a mix of Cajun, Caribbean, Blues, Tex-Mex and New Orleans party funk. So have a romantic bite to eat, and then dance the night the away to classy kick-back music.

A 2nd Cup of Comedy Show
7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The 2nd Cup (36 Broadway, Buffalo)

After eating some muffins and cakes and drinking refreshing tea, laugh your lid off with some FREE comedy shows, including improv comic Tim Joyce.

Open Mic Night with Tom Bender
8 p.m.
Club 55 (55 Main St., Tonawanda)

Here it is, the most popular way for anyone to humiliate themselves, singing style. If your singing doesn’t scare off your date, nothing will, so if he/she stays, consider it fate because you two were meant for each other.

Friday, February 15

1st Annual Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance
6 p.m.
Statler City (107 Delaware Ave., Buffalo)
Featuring live music from BPO clarinetist Sal Andolina and his Big Band, with vocals by Nick Battistella. Only 500 tickets available, and they are $99 per person.

Improvisational Comedy
8 p.m.
ComedySportz (4476 Main St., Amherst)
ComedySportz is fast-paced improvisational comedy, played as a sport. Two teams take turns making up scenes, playing games, and singing songs - and the audience votes on which team they like the best. It's all presided over by a referee, who plays host for the evening, calls the ComedySportz fouls, and takes suggestions shouted out by the audience before each game.

Dan Harper with Magic Show
8 p.m.
MIXology Bar (443 Forrest Ave., Buffalo)
MIXology is notorious for its martinis, but while you’re enjoying happy hour, feast your eyes on Dan Harper and company performing live music.

Karaoke with Steve
10 p.m.
Klub Karaoke (2081 Niagara St., Buffalo)
Pretty straightforward here: This is the second-most embarrassing activity behind open mic nights, where your significant other makes his/her final call to stay with you or not. But pucker up, champ. I’m sure he/she will make the right decision.

Saturday, February 16

The Magic of Michael Joseph
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Frog Hair Grille and Golf (7800 Transit Rd., Williamsville)
The Frog Hair has four different dining locations, along with several different golf courses. So after hitting off a few tees and getting some food, relax in each other’s arms and watch an entertaining magic show.

Stand-up and Improv Comedy
8 p.m.
Rob’s Comedy Playhouse (1340 North Forest Rd., Buffalo)
Visit one of the hottest comedy clubs in the city, which will have a line of comics ready to bust your cheeks.

Colleen Williams and the Bobby Jones Trio
8 p.m.
Della Terra Restaurant (200 Delaware Ave, Buffalo)
For the “lovey dovey” couples, here is the musical for you. Colleen Williams sings in a mellow, romantic voice that couples can dance to and lose themselves in each other’s eyes.

Sunday, February 17

Wine Dinner with Gates Circle Liquors
5 p.m.
Butterwood Restaurant (391 Washington St., Buffalo)
Visit Butterwood Sweet & Savory to enjoy four courses of freshly prepared food, including some Italian and Australian cuisines. All meals include Mitolo Jester wine, originated from the vermentino grape in Italy.

Niagara Falls

1. Start off your morning by taking a classic Maid of the Mist boat ride. The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River, near the Rainbow Bridge, and takes its passengers past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then into the dense mist of spray inside the curve of the Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls. The tour is available starting from either the Canadian or American side of the river, returning to the starting point in each case.

2. Settle down later with a trip to Fallsview Casino, to try your luck at money and love. Stand-up comic Wanda Sykes will be performing on Valentine’s Day and the day after, and Band From TV, a musical group containing television stars, will perform on Feb. 16.

3. Smell the roses at Niagara Botanical Gardens. Established in 1936, you'll enjoy 40 hectares (99 acres) of beautifully maintained gardens. Enjoy their perennials, rhododendrons, azaleas, formal parterre garden, shade, herb and vegetable plantings, as well as their world-famous rose garden, featuring over 2,400 roses.

4. Then travel to the top of the infamously ultra-modern Skylon Tower for a romantic view and dinner. The tower offers two restaurants: The Summit Suite Buffet and the world-known rotating diner that spins 360 degrees. Spending a night in a place like this will certainly be one to remember.

5. At Journey Behind the Falls, you'll experience the awesome spectacle of one-fifth of the world’s fresh water crashing down to the basin below. During summer daylight hours, over 2,800 cubic meters of water thunders over the brink every second, traveling 65 kilometers per hour! The sound is like thunder; the sight is awe-inspiring! Take a journey deep below and behind the heart of Niagara, and stand in the mist where the mighty Horseshoe Falls tumbles from 13 stories above.

Romantic Restaurants

Mulberry Italian Ristorante
64 Jackson Ave., Lackawanna
(716-822-4292)
With various choices of wine and Italian cuisine to choose from, the Mulberry is ideal for romantic meals.

La Galera
6621 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls
(716-283-4274)
If you aren’t able to cross the Canadian border and can’t dine at the Skylon Tower, La Galera is on the American side of Niagara Falls and can serve you authentic Mexican cuisine.

Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More
6675 Transit Rd., Buffalo
(716-636-4900)
With hotel accommodations directly next door, Russell’s is perfect if you plan to get away for a day or two. The service at Russell’s is renowned as perfect, granting every request. If you are looking to spoil yourself, this place is for you.

Butterwood Desserts
391 Washington St., Buffalo
(716-652-1013)
Butterwood is the perfect location for delicate sweets to spoil your loved one, especially when you desperately need to force a smile on his/her face. Butterwood conveniently hosts Valentine's Day dinner-for-two specials, including special prices on champagnes and desserts.

Contributed by Jake Knott

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