the next five years. To get your date hot and bothered, lay beneath the night sky at Abram’s Planetarium as the sooth- ing voice of an astronomy expert guides you through the galaxy. Maybe play footsie a bit when the Virgo constellation is pointed out. Afterwards, visit the Michigan State University Museum to check out the “On Equal Terms” exhibition beginning Feb. 5, which celebrates women in construction and heavy industry. Planetarium: Farm Lane and Shaw Lane, MSU campus. Shows approximately every 20 minutes. (517) 355-4672. $3. Museum: West Circle Dr. and Auditorium Rd., MSU campus. (517) 355-7474. Free.


Hipster Date


Down a few PBRs in the basement of your co-op before swinging by to pick up your date on your Honda café racer. Polish your black plastic glasses with the soft fabric of your organic, sustainably grown cotton V-neck and peer dashingly over your mustache at your date as he or she floats down the steps in a pair of distressed vintage boots. Share some beer with your date. Because hipsters are the most educated eaters on the planet, opt for a shopping trip to the East Lansing Food Co-Op instead of spending your parent’s cash at a restaurant with suspicious practices. Gather a medley of seasonal vegetables and grains with complicated names to assemble the quasi-Indian dish you’re famous for making. By now you should be drunk. After your romantic meal, play Scrabble while listening to Neutral Milk Hotel. ELFCO: 4960 Northwind Dr., East Lansing; elfco.coop, (517) 337-1266


BFF Date


Several weeks before your date, confirm with your BFF that you’ll be exchanging adorable Valentine’s gifts. This will ensure that you’ll receive something cool, since your BFF will secretly be battling you to create the most thoughtful present. Perhaps visit Rae’s Yarn Boutique to knit a cable scarf with hand-dyed alpaca wool yarn. Bring along a nice bottle of pinot noir to prove that someone wants to get your BFF drunk tonight, even if it’s only you. Choose a restaurant that’s suitably cute but not overwhelmingly fancy, like the Traveler’s Club International Restaurant and Tuba Museum, which has an impressive sampling of dishes from around the globe and a beer menu that includes a variety of microbrews. After dinner, exchange gifts, watch a chick flick. Rae’s Yarn Boutique: 2004 East Michigan Ave., Lansing, rae- syarnboutique.com, (517) 336-YARN; Traveler’s Club, 2138 Hamilton Rd., Okemos, travelerstuba.com, (517) 349-1701


First Date


First dates are not something you should mess around with. These several hours will make or break your future with this individual, and the stakes are especially raised around Valentine’s Day when you’re surrounded by googly-eyed couples who are already planning the interior décor of their bungalow. Instead of frantically scrambling to make conversation with the stranger sitting across from you, turn the would-be awkward pauses into moments of hilarity at one of REACH Studio Art Center’s “Casual Clay” drop-in sessions. On the third Friday of every month the studio is open to curious novices who are interested in clay work. A facilitator will provide basic instructions and suggestions, and even if your bowl ends up looking more like a telescope, it’s guaranteed that you’ll have charmed the wits out of your date. It worked for Demi and Patrick in Ghost. REACH Studio Art Center: 1804 South Washington Ave., Lansing; Casual Clay sessions on the third Friday of every month, 7:30-9:30 p.m.; $15 per person, clay purchased separately.


Healthy Date


If you’re in the point in your relationship where getting all hot and sweaty in front of your mate is habitual instead of uncomfortable, try a hot vinyasa class at YogaState. The warm room makes muscles and tendons pliable, so you can manipulate your extremities in ways you never thought pos- sible. All of the ohm-ing will calm a jumbled mind, and when you sneak a wink at your date as you lie in savasana, chakras balanced and body in tune, the rest of the evening will as- suredly proceed blissfully. Be on the lookout for couple’s yoga classes, which are frequently offered at local studios in February and focus on poses for two. If a sweat-soaked rendezvous isn’t your thing, sign up for a five-week ballroom dancing workshop at the Platinum Dance Academy. Swing classes begin on Feb. 8, and run every Wednesday from 8:30-9:15 p.m. Yoga State: 515 E. Grand River, East Lansing. $13 per drop-in, $11 for students, yogastate.net; Platinum Dance Academy: 4976 1/2 Northwind Dr., East Lansing. $65 per person, plat- inumdanceacademy.com.


Quaint Date


You’ve been with your significant other for years now, and though you still adore each other, the thought of planning an extensive outing for Valentine’s Day is so 10 years ago. That’s OK, because grandiose gestures are no longer necessary to


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remind your partner how much you love him or her. Instead, set aside an evening, turn off your cell phone, order some take-out from Wok & Roll, and snuggle underneath a blanket while playing a board game such as Trivial Pursuit, which requires more interaction than sitting in front of another movie. Wok & Roll’s vegetables are crisp and flavorful, the shrimp is perfectly cooked and fresh, and the dishes are not doused in an excessive amount of gloppy sauce, allowing the flavors of meat and veggies to come through. The portions are generous enough that you and your mate can share a meal; try the Szechuan Shrimp, which is perfectly spicy. Pop some champagne to wash it down and celebrate your relationship expertise. Wok & Roll: 3050 East Lake Lansing Rd., East Lansing, (517) 332-1811


Hilarious Date


No, this doesn’t mean balancing a bucket full of water at the top of your girlfriend’s door so you can film her reac- tion when she’s drenched. Stick to safer material and visit Connxtions Comedy Club, which offers a “Laugh Package” that includes admission for two, four drink tickets, and one appetizer. Though we, of course, can’t guarantee the funniness of the various stand-up acts, keep in mind that everything is more hilarious after a few drinks. Connxtions Comedy Club: 2900 N. East St., Lansing, $8-$15. Laugh Package is $49. connxtionscomedyclub.com.


Esoteric Date


For an offbeat adventure, conjure forward the wild rhythms in your soul with a small group of like-minded dancers at 5Rhythms, a movement meditation practice that weaves five rhythms (flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness) together to create a “wave.” The soundtrack changes each time and is assembled by different people to ensure an ever- evolving dance. The principals behind the practice state that everything produces energy, which moves in waves and pat- terns. In dancing each of the five rhythms, participants are taken through a broad experience of emotion and expression, and though talking isn’t allowed, participants are encour- aged to communicate physically through touching or body percussions. 5Rhythms at the Orchard Street Pump House: 368 Orchard St., East Lansing. 8 p.m. every Thursday. Free. n


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SOUNDS | SIGHTS | SCHEDULE


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