There’s Plenty to Love, No Matter Your Passion
Set the scene for a fun, Valentine’s-inspired outing. Whether it’s a romantic dinner date, an evening at the opera, a brisk run or some special one-on-one time with the little ones, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Get your hearts racing at Cupid’s Chase 5K on February 12, 2011. This community-oriented event will commence in several cities and states across the nation including Glen Rock, New Jersey; Princeton, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York City. It’s a great way to start the morning, meet new people and enjoy T-shirts and prize giveaways. Same-day registration is available. Proceeds from the race benefit Community Options, Inc., a national non-profit organization that helps provide housing and employment support services and those with developmental disabilities. For more information, visit www.comop.org/cupidschase.
Nothing quite sets the romantic mood like an enjoyable evening at the opera. New York City’s Metropolitan Opera presents some wonderful classics. Fall in love with Verdi’s La Traviata, showing on select dates now through January 29. La Traviata’s story of love’s triumphs and tragedies through the lives of characters Violetta Valéry and Alfredo Germont is spellbinding; sung in Italian, the opera features stunning soprano Marina Poplavskaya as Violetta. The Metropolitan Opera also brings you Puccini’s La Bohème, a work that has enjoyed worldwide popularity. Set in Paris during the mid-19th century, La Bohème centers on the relationship between Mimì and Rodolfo. The opera runs now through February 25, 2011. For more information, visit 
www.metoperafamily.org/metopera.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day the Animal Way. The Philadelphia Zoo brings you this entertaining event as part of its weekend workshop series. This festive program, all about animals, is filled with fun activities, songs and interactive animal encounters suited for the young and curious crowd. The event will take place on February 5, 2011 at the Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pre-registration is required. For more information, visit http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/.
Take your love out to sea on a Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise. Treat your sweetheart to a delicious buffet dinner at a table for two, an evening of dancing, a bouquet of roses and a bottle of champagne to toast your love with your souvenir champagne flutes. Stroll along the climate-controlled deck and gaze at the stars. Valentine Dinner Cruises are offered by Spirit Cruises and depart from Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, NYC, as well as Lincoln Harbor, New Jersey. Valentine’s Dinner Cruises take place on February 14, 2011; other departure dates vary by location. For more information, visit www.spiritofnewjersey.com or www.spiritofnewyork.com.
Art lovers, collectors and artists come together at the Art Bazaar. The Art Bazaar provides a platform for emerging artists and others to exhibit their works while also allowing collectors and art aficionados from the general public to discover great pieces. Begun in 2009, the Art Bazaar has showcased more than 300 artists and generated close to $100,000 in sales, and it draws crowds that include national and international collectors and participants. Beginning February 1, 2011, the Art Bazaar will offer two bi-weekly exhibitions at their Chelsea, NYC gallery location. Each session will include an invitation-only First View Dinner for artists and their guests, as well as artist receptions. For more information, visit www.artbazaar.tv.
Find inspiration in the area’s fun, artistic and entertaining activities.
