Top things to do this Valentines day

Legacy of love to mark Valentine celebrations

LOUISE LEMOINE

Forget Paris, Liverpool is turning into the city of love this Valentine’s Day. We have rounded up the quirkiest and unique events happening in Liverpool that will appeal to all.

What’s on:

Epstein Theatre: A Very Liverpool Love Story

A Very Liverpool Love Story is staged at the Epstein Theatre on the eve of Valentine’s Day this year.

The play is described as a moving real-life story of love and loss, and the grief that follows once loved ones pass on.

Sandra Richardson from Toxteth was admitted to Marie Curie Hospice in Woolton with stage 4 breast cancer last year. Despite her terminal diagnosis, she and her wife, Clare Beloved, have fundraised over £21,000 for the team caring for Sandra.

Sandra’s wife Clare has gathered unpublished words, poems and love notes written by Sandra while in the hospice along with her own musings and diary entries from the time of her wife’s illness and death.

Clare Beloved explained her inspirations behind the play: “I promised Sandra we would carry on her legacy that her poetry would contin-

Photo of Sandra Richardson and Clare Beloved.

ue to raise much needed funds in her name.”

She also said how grief and the experiences once loved one’s die are not written about enough. Going on to say: “Our night at The Epstein will open up difficult conversations about bereavement, love and loss. [...] As we all know, the love we have for people carries on after someone is physically gone.”

The second half of the evening will be hosted by Liverpool-born performance poet Gerry Potter, and there will be an opportunity for the audience to write a special Valentine’s card to loved ones who have died to post into a Marie Curie post-box and light a candle of remembrance.

Doors open at the Epstein Theatre at 6:30pm on Sunday 13th February 2022. Tickets are still available for the event online and are priced at £18.50 per ticket, all proceeds will be donated to the Marie Curie Hospice in Liverpool.

Galentines at 30 James Street

30 James Street Hotel is hosting a Galentines event this Valentine’s Day to ‘Celebrate Friendships’.

‘Galentines’ events have become more popular over recent years, the concept being that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to feel like the loneliest day if you are single and there are still ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day such as celebrating friendship.

The event will be taking place at the Carpathia Bar & Restaurant where attendees will enjoy a bottomless dinner with unlimited drinks for ninety minutes. There will also be a live DJ and Sax player to get you ‘Movin’ and groovin’ all night long.’ The event begins at 7:00pm and ends at 1:00am. Tickets are selling for £55 each.

Electrik Valentines Traffic Light Party

Liverpool’s Electrik Warehouse on Wood Street is known for its unique and sell-out events. Most students in the city are familiar with the venue as it hosts one of the largest student nights in the city every Thursday.

This Valentine’s they are hosting a ‘Traffic Light Party’ for students in the city. Attendees receive stickers based on whether they’re single (green), in a complicated situation (amber), and those not on the look-out for love (red).

The venue has four different floors that will be playing an array of genres for the event. From indie to soul, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Doors open at 10:00pm on Valentine’s Day and the event is set to end at 4:00am.

The event is set to be a sell-out, but tickets are still currently available online at £5.00 per ticket. NHS workers can gain a free ticket before 11:30pm if they display their NHS I.D. upon entry.

Liverpool Singles Cocktails Class. Ages 24-36, by SpeedDater events

For all those who find themselves single this Valentine’s Day, SpeedDater events have partnered with Revolution de Cuba Liverpool to host a cocktail making speed dating event for singles aged between 24-36.

Upon arrival, the SpeedDater team will welcome attendees and they will be given a welcome cocktail and will be given a badge number that will match a table in the room.

Ladies will stay seated whilst men rotate from table to table until they have met all the women. Each date will run across 3 minutes to ensure everyone has had the chance to meet. You will also be able to write down the individuals that you like.

After the dates, the Albert Dock Revolution de Cuba team will be hosting a cocktail making masterclass. The class will run over 90 minutes, and you are able to pick from a wide variety of cocktails to learn how to perfect your favourite tipple from the experts!

After the event, attendees can log in to their SpeedDater account where they can find their ‘matches’ tab. You will find out who you have mutually matched with and get in touch via their messaging system. They also guarantee that if you do not meet someone you liked the first time, your next singles event is free.

The event is taking place on Thursday 10th February at 6:30pm, tickets are still available until the day of the event and are priced at £25.00 each.

Background via Unsplash by Annie Spratt

Paint and Sip- Picasso Kiss, Liverpool Arts Bar

Liverpool Arts Bar on Hope Street is hosting a Valentine’s Paint and Sip event on Thursday 17th February and runs from 6:45 to 9:00pm.

The event is set to be a creative evening of drinking and painting which can be enjoyed by all, with a two for £12 cocktail offer also running for the event.

No painting experience is needed as there will be a 2-hour step-by-step painting tutorial led by their experienced artists and assistants. Materials will also be provided by the organisers, including acrylic paint and a high quality stretched canvas.

The event will be an opportunity to explore your creative side this Valentine’s and create a one-of-a-kind piece of art to take home- without having to do the clean-up yourself. Tickets are priced at £29.00 each and are still available online via DesignMyNight.

Open Air Cinema: Pride

In celebration of Valentine’s and LGBT+ History Month, St. Luke’s Bombed Out Church is hosting an open-air cinema over the 10th, 11th, 12th & 14th of February. Over the course of the four days, they will be showing Pride, Romeo and Juliet, The Bodyguard and Casablanca.

Whether you take a partner or friends, the venue is a beautifully charming setting and is the perfect backdrop to a Valentine’s date or a friend’s night out.

There will be a bar at the event, with boozy hot drinks, beers, spirits, wine and fizz on sale. Alongside soft drinks and a selection of movie snacks, all delivered straight to your seat. However, the bar is cashless, but they do take payments via Apple/Google Pay.

Audience members are encouraged to bring their own blankets to stay warm underneath the Liverpool sky and to wrap up warm. Tickets are still available and are selling for £10.00 each.