They say, “All you need is love,” and yet, they also say, “Love stinks!” Regardless of your views on the notions of romance and this chocolates-and-roses rigged holiday, we still don’t want you feeling lonely this weekend. We’re also not tacitly implying that you should hit up any of these events with specific intents (or worse, naive hopes) of finding a hot hook-up. We just want you out on the town, is all, Being social and listening to loud music. Maybe dance a bit? Up to you.
Saturday: Love Bang!
Don’t show up if you’re not ready to dance! The Bang! Mixtape Dance Party is basically a local institution, but this weekend, you can expect some particularly sentimental surges from hits like Bowie’s “Modern Love,” or maybe Pulp’s “Common People.” We’re talking nothing but hits: new wave and Northern Soul, funk and maybe even some tasteful disco grooves. Low stress social outing, high returns on celebratory vibes. Just show up and dance.
9:30pm at the Blind Pig (208 S. 1st st, Ann Arbor)
$8 (or $11 for under 21)
Saturday: Bona Sera
Bona Sera over in Ypsilanti would be an ideal place to start your night of amorous frivolity, as they’re prepared a special dinner menu (that will be served on Sunday evening, as well, btw). Click here for the full menu. Then, consider staying later that night at Bona Sera for the Guilty Pleasures Burlesque Show.
$15 admission (21+) for Burlesque, opening at 8pm
More info: bonaserarestaurant.com
Saturday: Ypsi Honors Bowie with “Oh! You Pretty Things”
I only recently got through my grieving period for David Bowie. And even then, I am still getting a bit misty as I playback “Modern Love” over my speakers while writing this. I know you’ve read it everywhere already, but any emphasis upon the impact this creative celestial being had on music and culture can’t be overstated. Ypsilanti pays particular tribute to Bowie’s influence upon self-expression, an encouraging demonstration to all of us who thought we were too weird or too awkward that we actually just weren’t being weird enough, and that it was the square mainstream that was actually awkward, not us! So, band as well as local artists will come together for both an aural and visual celebration of Bowie; costumed attendees are encouraged! More info & lineup HERE.
7pm at Corner Brewery (720 Norris, Ypsilanti)
Saturday: Benefit for the Breakfast at St. Anthony’s
Acoustic Routes Concerts and The Ark are hosting this benefit concert for the vital services provided at St. Andrew’s; a daily meal program that has been feeding the hungry in the Ann Arbor community every day for 34 years running. Matthew Altruda (whom we spoke with, earlier this month) will be emceeing, along with performances by Nathan Bell, Rachel Brown & the Beatnik Players, Dakota Dave Hull, Rollie Tussing & Midwest Territory Band, and an introduction of local audiences to the up-and-coming jazz singer Miss Samantha Dunlap. Click here for ticket information and click here for more info on the Breakfast at St. Andrew’s.
7pm at the Ark (316 S. Main St, Ann Arbor)
$30
Saturday & Sunday: Love Fest at Dreamland Theatre
This free, all-ages, 2-day event is a casual, and very cool way to celebrate the Valentine’s Weekend, grooving, swooning, and quite likely dancing, to the tunes of Ypsi’s finest in experimental underground, indie sweetness and anti-folk pop. Let’s get to some streaming songs, finally…
Modern Lady Fitness
Best Exes
That’s right… Best Exes, Modern Lady Fitness, Autumn Wetli (of Rebel Kind), Wraiths, Scotty Karate, Slug Love (a new one with members from Truman, Tanager, Child Sleep and Mother Night), Circument and Nick Zomparelli are lined up for a weekend’s worth of music. DJ Ryan Cady will spin romantic jams while touring bands like Frank Hurricane come to join in the fun.
Lineups for Night 1 and Night 2
Free…but donations are encouraged!
Dreamland Theatre (26 N. Washington, Ypsilanti)
Jeff covers music for Current, posting weekly show previews and highlighting new bands in the area.
