This week in Detroit, love is all you need

You know what we love about February? It’s short and, exactly half-way through this, possibly the cruelest of months, love rears its head for a day. Despite the snow and grey, there are a bevy of events that remind us of warmth. We’ll point your compass towards a few bright lights shining this Valentine’s Day evening.

Corktown

The Blackman’s infamous album The Coleman Young Experience isn’t exactly about love, but everything this guy does screams it. But here's the hook: back in the late-1980s he was mentor to a teenage bumpkin from Romeo name of Robert James Ritchie, now known the world over as Kid Rock. The Blackman is at Le Petit Zinc spinning warm sounds like reggae and dub at Sweetheart Rub a Dub.

St Cece’s is serving an ambitious four-course prix fixe meal with numerous vegan and gluten-free options, including a vegan pot pie entree. A glass of champagne is included in the $75 price.

Midtown

(Note: Due to east coast weather issues, the Donelle Woolford event has been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m., with her artist talk to follow.) Who is Donelle Woolford? Was s/he really born in Detroit in 1980? Does s/he have the supernatural gift of performing, as has been claimed, in two cities at once, separated by hundreds of miles? Is that a picture of her with a mustache on the home page, or is it an actor playing an imposter? We’ll see at MOCAD, where s/he will perform a re-enactment of a Richard Pryor skit that he performed on the last evening of his short-lived variety show in 1977. Don’t take it from us: "Instead of Richard Pryor playing Richard Pryor playing Mudbone, Dick's Last Stand is Donelle Woolford playing Richard Pryor playing Richard Pryor playing Mudbone across generations and in drag." This brand of shapeshifting subversiveness is perfectly in tune with the museum’s just-opened James Lee Byers show, a must see. Tickets here.

Film more your collective style? Get ahead of the awards-show curve with an evening of Oscar-nominated shorts at the inimitable Detroit Film Theater. Sherlock’s Martin Freeman (Dr. Watson, we presume?) appears in one, if you’re into that sort of British thing. But of course you are.

Whichever the destination, impress with a prix fixe neighbor-near dinner two walkable blocks away at the Majestic Cafe beforehand. 

West Village

Head east, young lovers! The highly lauded Detroit Vegan Soul is offering two seatings for a dinner that will make you both forget how to spell meat.

Woodbridge

Wear your bestest high school garb and head to Detroit Contemporary, where an art show featuring love letters and assorted ephemera opens at 7 p.m. and DJ Ahee promises to play your most favorite romantical requests beginning at 10 p.m.

Hamtramck

You might wish you were seated at Revolver but, sorry, it’s sold out. Thank St. Valentine for the V-Day Smoochfest -- also acting as the Blowout launch party -- at the New Dodge Lounge a bit farther south on Jos. Campau, featuring Illymack and Sleepless Inn.

Also in Hamtramck, but on Thursday, is Eight & Sand's Valentine's Day HLDY MRKT. If you checked out the first one in December, you'll know we're talking quality indie retailers selling groovy stuff at affordable prices.  

Southwest Detroit

For a $10 donation, proceeds benefitting the Clark Park Coalition, embrace the chill for Cold-Hearted, a skating extravaganza at Detroit’s only regulation outdoor skating rink. Bring your own skates or rent there (for free!) and enjoy a new Southeast Asian food truck, Tuktuk-Tuktuk, while you’re on a break from rounding the ice.

Eastern Market

Partner yoga and a vegetarian feast are served at this pairing-up of the elegant Trinosophes and BE NICE Yoga. Stretch and dine, how lovely! Tickets and info here.

Kelli Kavanaugh is a Detroit freelance writer and a bicycling advocate and entrepreneur.