The Tony Award-winning musical An American in Paris is loaded with toe-tapping songs by the Gershwin Brothers, and its story, of an American soldier and aspiring painter falling for a Parisian woman in the aftermath of World War II, is a romance fit for the holiday. The touring production comes to Dallas before moving over to Fort Worth. The Music Hall at Fair Park, Jan. 31-Feb. 12. Bass Performance Hall, Feb. 14-19.
It’s an unconventional romance, but this touring Broadway production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the gender-bending rock and roll musical, is all about the search for love. Winspear Opera House, Feb. 7-12.
It’s a Dallas theater tradition for good reason: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, slightly revamped with a new staging this year, remains a hilarious send-up of relationships, illustrated through a series of vignettes. These shows, particularly on Valentine’s Day weekends, also tend to be a hot spot for marriage proposals, so be prepared to “aawww” in the audience. Theatre Too at Theatre Three, through Feb. 26.
The heart has long been a subject of art, and its versatility keeps the long-running annual “El Corazon” exhibition fresh. The art on display at this show varies in tone and medium, but each portrays the heart. Much better than a Valentine card. Bath House Cultural Center, Feb. 4-Mar. 4
Ancient Rome: Innovative plumbing, gladiator battles, the poetry of Virgil, and love. Respighi’s soaring tone poem Pines of Rome highlights a weekend of performances by the Dallas Symphony, joined by the inimitable Emanuel Ax on piano. Meyerson Symphony Center, Feb. 10-12.
R. Kelly coming to town on Valentine’s Day is a cosmic, planets-aligning event for fans of one of R&B’s smoothest operators. Gas Monkey Live, Feb. 14 at 8:30 p.m.
Introduce a little Halloween to your Valentine’s Day by visiting a haunted house. Find out whether love or fear is more powerful at Plano’s Dark Hour, open on Feb. 11, 12, and 14, or at Cutting Edge in Fort Worth, open Feb. 11 and 14.
Let Neil deGrasse Tyson take you and your significant other on a trip through the cosmos as the astrophysicist holds forth on his favorite subjects: space, and our role in it. Winspear Opera House, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Ladybugs bring good luck, and good luck brings love, so why not release some during a stroll through Texas Discovery Gardens’ butterfly house? “Love Is In The Air” at the Fair Park garden, where guests will also eat chocolate-covered bugs and the resident entomologist sets the mood with a talk on insect reproduction. Texas Discovery Gardens, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m.
The Pretty Things PeepShow is a variety act that cherry-picks the most risque bits of circus performances and burlesque for its shows, which take on an even more salacious nature for its Valentine’s Day tours. Kessler Theater, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.
NBA fans are out of luck on Valentine’s Day itself, but the Mavericks play the Boston Celtics the day before. American Airlines Center, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Klyde Warren Park’s family-friendly Valentine’s Day celebration Hearts in the Park includes dance lessons, a puppy kissing booth (aawwww), and a movie screening, among other things. Klyde Warren Park, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m.
A major inspiration for La La Land, the 1964 French film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a technicolor musical wonder tracking the bittersweet path of a romance that may or may not be meant to be. The Texas Theatre, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.
Enjoy chocolate, champagne, and maybe a few laughs at the Backdoor Comedy Club’s Valentine’s Day celebration with Paul Varghese and Aaron Aryanpur. Backdoor Comedy Club, Feb. 11, 12, & 14.
It’s the 75th anniversary of Casablanca, as good a reason as any, including Valentine’s Day, to catch the classic love story on the big screen. The Angelika Film Center, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.
Why even bother seeing 50 Shades Darker, the sequel to the kink-friendly 50 Shades of Grey, if you can’t shout and cheer at the mainstreaming of BDSM? “Rowdy” late-night showings of the new film at both North Texas outposts of the Alamo Drafthouse encourage audience members to be vocal about the consensual, politely depraved sexual activity depicted on the screen. Alamo Drafthouse (Locations in Richardson and the Cedars), Feb. 9-12.
Have yourself a retro Valentine’s Day with New Wave legend Adam Ant, performing some of the greatest hits of the ’80s. Majestic Theatre, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.
Juicy J is a romantic at heart. “Bandz A Make Her Dance ” won’t be played at many candlelit dinners, but it’s a hit at every after-party. The Three-Six Mafia alum is joined on this tour by Project Pat and Belly. House of Blues, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.
The percussive excitement of Stomp makes for a heart-pounding night out. Music Hall at Fair Park, Feb. 14-19.
