Sweethearts, singles and lovers of music and Mark Twain have a number of options on the Peninsula this Valentine’s Day weekend.
There’s even the Valentine Optional Ball, a dressy dance Saturday night at the Sequim Elks Lodge, 143 Port Williams Road. The Stardust Dance Band will play, and those who come need no sweetheart, said organizer Carol Hathaway.
“This is open to non-dancers too,” she added, “who just want to come for a delicious meal and an evening of listening to big band music.”
The reservation deadline for a 6:30 p.m. dinner catered by Kokopelli Grill passed Wednesday morning, but for those just wanting to dance or listen to Stardust from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., admission is $15 at the door.
The ball is all about elegance, with tuxedoes, suits and ties, gowns and sparkle encouraged.
Here’s a sampling of other Valentine’s Day dances and events in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
■ A Sweetheart Ball, complete with dance lessons, rhythm and blues comes to the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 2333 San Juan Ave., on Saturday night.
Singles and couples are welcome, and seasoned dance instructor Janice Eklund will give an intermediate lesson at 6 p.m. and a beginners’ lesson at 6:30 p.m. Jim Nyby & the F Street Band will dish out the music from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., while dancers are welcome to bring snacks, desserts and beverages to share.
Tickets to the Sweetheart Ball are $12 if purchased by Friday, and $15 at the door Saturday night.
■ Photographer Trey Hensley will set up a lovers’ photo booth while Howly Slim and Sandy Summers play love songs at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., on Friday night. Admission is $3 for this 8 p.m. episode of Second Friday Art Rock, the monthly live-art-and-music party also known as 2FAR.
The picture-taking booth, Hensley notes, is just for fun, for sweethearts “old and new, permanent and temporary, fancy and free.”
■ The Masquerade Ball will bring a mask contest, music by DJ Ideambeats and an array of guest performers to Studio Bob, 118½ E. Front St., on Friday.
This steampunk-flavored ball for the 18-and-older revelers will go from 9 p.m. till midnight, with music and dance by many including Dark Jester, Matthew McCarthy and Lauren Jeffries-Johnson of Shula Azhar. Advance tickets are $10 at Odyssey Books, 114 W. Front St., or $12 at the Studio Bob door.
■ “So Full of Sweetness” is the theme of the Valentine’s Day dance at the Madrona MindBody Institute from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.
Everyone’s invited to bring and share chocolates and other sweets during this event, which also features Zipper Dance founder James Schaberg with a light-hearted lesson.
Zipper Dance, an improvisational partner dance style, will also be the subject of “Zipper blues” and “Zipper swing” workshops this weekend at Madrona, which is inside Fort Worden State Park at 200 Battery Way.
Tickets to Friday’s dance are $12, and more information awaits at Madrona: 360-344-4475.
■ Dinner, dancing and a burlesque show will converge at 7 Cedars Casino’s Club Seven, 270756 U.S. Highway 101, Friday night. The “Pretty Twisted” choreographed rock ‘n’ roll show will start at 9 p.m., while other activities include a champagne-and-roses reception for $15 and a dinner package for $45.
For details, phone 360-683-7777 or see www.7cedarsresort.com.
■ Key City Public Theatre brings Mark Twain’s “Diary of Adam and Eve” to the Alchemy Bistro for one night only this Sunday.
In this world’s oldest love story, Richard Clairmont is Adam — based on Twain himself — while Erin Lamb plays his Garden of Eden-mate. The performance will begin at 6 p.m. at the bistro, 842 Washington St. in Port Townsend, with a four-course dinner themed to match.
Tickets are $48 for dinner and show, not including drinks and tip. For reservations, see www.keycitypublictheatre.org or phone 360-385-5278. Advance purchase is recommended, as space is limited, and remaining tickets will be available at Alchemy’s door.
________
Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
