Five ways to make your Valentine’s Day a special adventure

Whether you love the chance to shower your darling with affection or hate the over-hyped marketing, Valentine’s Day seems to stir up different emotions. Jenn Sharp offers five ideas to shake it up on this day dedicated to love.

1

Hit the dance floor

Treat your date or yourself to a night out that’s not easy to find in Saskatoon: Dinner and dancing. On Friday night, Saskatoon Salsa hosts Mi Amor at LB Distillery. The evening includes a distillery tour, cocktails, dessert crepes, on-site photographer and a salsa lesson followed by a dance until midnight.

If you’d rather jump on the soul train, head to Drift Cafe’s Vista Lounge tonight, where Saskatoon’s favourite funk DJ, Dr. J, will spin vinyl at Love Thyme. Watch Amanda Murray from Def Sol demo a few moves before you get on that dance floor.

2

A winter road trip

Road trips are an awesome way to discover the landscape outside city limits and there’s something special about the countryside when it’s covered in snow.

Consider taking a half-day trip on a lesser-travelled road heading north to the village of St. Louis along the scenic South Saskatchewan River. There are some outstanding spots to stop and admire beautiful sweeping views of the river valley. Buy a map for this trip — just in case your cellphone coverage fails.

Since the ferry is closed in the winter, take Highway 41 east to Aberdeen. Keep driving about another 30 minutes until you reach Range Road 2271 ( just before Wakaw).

Turn left (north) and then take a quick left (west) to Highway 312. This is the road you want, and it’ll take you back west to the river. Once you reach the river, head north, slow down and enjoy.

To get home, take Highway 2 north over the St. Louis Bridge. The second grid on your left is Donny Brook Road — keep following it west until you hit Highway 11 and then head south to Saskatoon.

On your way, stop at the Station Arts Centre for a hot bowl of soup and a thick slice of bread made from stone milled flour.

3

Take the kiddies out Valentine’s Day isn’t just for adults. Children’s entertainer Sylvia Chave is putting on a Jelly Jam with three shows (at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.) geared for the little ones at The Refinery.

4

The anti-valentine

If all the lovey-dovey stuff just isn’t your thing, Winston’s Anti-valentine’s Day Celebration is the best way to spend the day. Grab a friend and head down to the pub to high-five your independence from coupledom over a pint and anti-cupid fun all day.

If a little culture is more your jam, Live Five’s Elemental opens tonight and runs all weekend.

5

Make your tastebuds sing

A few independent restaurants in Saskatoon are putting on one heck of a V-day menu that will open your palate to a next level dining experience.

Always a sumptuous choice, Calories’ Thoughts Of You evening is like nothing else. Top off your night with an additional cocktail and wine pairing with dinner, and have some fun listening to The Leo Laniece Trio.

No one in Saskatoon does a tasting menu quite like The Hollows, and its Valentine’s Day spread will have you starry-eyed. Take your beau to the Wildebeest Room (aka Lovers’ Lounge) for a late-night nip.

For a spectacular dinner surrounded by the best views in Saskatoon, head to Shift Restaurant in the Remai Modern, and hey — the wine is half-priced on weekdays.