Featured Performer:

This years special guest is Matt Dusk. He is one of Canada’s most beloved male vocalists, forging a career in music. The 31st Annual Great Valentine Gala have patrons attending such as The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Also, Honorary Chairs: Brian Porter, President & CEO, Scotiabank and, Ellis Jacob, President & CEO, Cineplex Entertainment

Website: http://www.cfpdp.com/

If you’re thinking ‘ I hate Valentine’s Day, it was created by card companies to get more money’, you’re in luck because we have a list of anti VDay activities for you too!

Couples 

This weekend (Feb 15-16) the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) will be screening the classic film Casablanca as the TSO will perform Max Steiner’s iconic score.

For couples wanting to sweeten things up, Le Dolci is offering a Valentine’s Day cupcake decorating class. Learn how to bake and decorate like a pro while working with fondant, and buttercream making hearts, roses, bows and Cupid’s arrows, in this hands-on decorating class.

Sweep your partner off their feet with the Valentine’s Big Band Dance.  An evening promising to deliver a night of romance, dinner and dancing. The band will be performing hits from the big band era, including hits by Bobby Darrin, Peggy Lee and Glen Miller.

For the animal lovers out there, The Toronto Zoo will be featuring a Valentine’s event with the opportunity for couples to look at how different animals raise their young.  The evening will start off with a romantic dinner, followed by meeting some animals, learning about their offspring, and culminating in a visit to the zoo’s reproductive labs.

Family 

For parents who want an evening of romance but can’t find a sitter, Pawsitively Pets has an exciting alterative that the kids will love. Close encounters with several animals and a special pizza dinner! A fun evening for everyone.

On Sunday if you’re feeling to lazy to cook from all the weekend excitement, Old Mill Toronto will be hosting Sunday brunch and dinner buffet with a little Valentine’s twist on it. Both meals will feature a selection of favourites and specialty dishes. And did you know the Old Mill is celebrating 100 Years?

Take a walk on the sweeter side of Kensington Market at Tasty Tours.  Chocolates, cupcakes, pastries, you name it the tour will bring you there.  The tour will take place on Friday, February 14.

Singles 

Single and ready to mingle? Well you’re in luck because Valentine’s Day seems to be a bumping time for singles events.
On Friday House of Moments will hold the Sugar and Spice Valentines Party. This event features a dinner, dance with open bar option included.  Attendees will groove to live music and DJ Ricky Lee amusing music.

Those in their 20s to 30s can search for love at Simply Sophisticated Speed Dating with a complementary glass of wine and gourmet appetizers.

Singles looking for their Sherlock or Nancy Drew make your way to the Royal Ontario Museum. The ROM is holding a singles-only murder mystery. A curator has been murdered and a trail of clues left behind. After the code has been cracked have the opportunity to explore the ROM famous collections. A night of mystery, learning and maybe even love.

The Beaver (ladies only) on Queen West, with a DJ’s spinning all female artists (LGBTQ)

An all male singles evening will be held at The Marquis of Granby. Meet 10 – 12 single bachelors while enjoying complementary drinks and appetizers. (LGBTQ)

The BOND Affair Pop Up Dinner Series promises to be a night of mystery and luxury. Four course gourmet meals, unknown set locations (golf clubs, museums art galleries ect.) and hors d’oeuvres with drinks in the Bond lounge.  Valentine’s Day has already sold out but will be hosting others, so keep your double o’ open for the next one!

Anti-Valentines Day

Finally those of you who can’t stand this day, why not be surrounded by others who feel the same.

Revival Restaurant will be holding its 2^nd annual Anti-Valentines Day Mixer. Enjoy fun and games as well as Dj Ideal who will be spinning everything from R&B to Funk.

Looking to let off some steam, Zirger Academy Martial Arts has a workshop for you.  Pad Drills Valentine’s Day workshop is a great workout and an even better way to forget the chocolates, flowers or even that ex. 

If you need a good laugh to get through the day, Second City has the show for you,  “We’ll Tickle The Funny Bone. The Rest is Up to You.”  So put down the ice cream bucket and save the tissue for tears of laughter.

While everyone was exchanging chocolates and candy this Valentine’s Day, CityEvents assisted The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons (CFPDP) host The 28^th Annual Great Valentine Gala. Held at the prestigious Fairmont Royal York Hotel, The Great Valentine Gala was an evening filled with great food, appreciation of our paralympians hosted by CBC’s News Now Suhana Meharchand, with a performance by Adrien Breda and Debby Boone!

The CFPDP works to assisting Canadians with physical disabilities to improve their life, while recognizing the contributions and achievements they’ve made to society. Every February, the CFPDP hosts The Great Valentine Gala to showcase and celebrate all of the contributions and talents of physically disabled people. Raising close to 13 million over the years, The Great Valentine Gala offers guests an evening to congratulate Canadian paralympians for all of their hard work.

During the night, The CFPDP gives out awards to corporations and individuals, recognizing them for all of their contributions to the lives of people with disabilities. The King Clancy Award was given to three extremely generous and wonderful people, Rick Mercer, from The Rick Mercer Report; Dr. David Legg is the President for the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Faye Blackwood paralympian coach. They have both made huge contributions to the physically disabled community and paralympians.  The corporations that were awarded included Shoppers Drugmart Home Healthcare, represented by VP of National Rehab Operations Fred Kosseim and The Royal Ontario Museum, represented by Director and CEO Janet Carding.

Some of the special guests who attended the event were:  Lt. Governor, Hon. David C. Onley and his wife, the Honourable Michael Wilson, Chairman Barclays Capital Canada and John Lutz, President, IBM, Other special guests who attended the Gala were, Honourable Preeti Saran Consul General of India, Senator Con Di Nino, Senator Joyce Fairbairn, Senator Don Meredith, Senator Jim Munson, Senator Asha Seth, Deepak Chopra, President & CEO, Canada Post, Sabi Marwah, Vice-Chairman & COO, Scotiabank, and Wilf Wilkinson past President Rotary International.

The Valentine Gala closed the evening with a moving performance by Debby Boone, ending her performance with a classic love song, “You Light up My Life”.

The Great Valentine Gala was a perfect evening; CityEvents staff contributed to the success of the event on and, behind the scenes as the event producer. Prior to the event, CityEvents was responsible for booking the suppliers of the event and organizing the flow, making sure our special guests were accommodated, as well as overseeing all of the logistics of the event. During the event CityEvents team worked to set-up and take down of the event. CityEvents were responsible to make sure guests and speakers were accommodated, and managed the stage flow.

If you would like to hear more about CFPDP, the Gala, how to get involved, or see pictures from this event, please visit http://www.cfpdp.com, www.torontocityevents.ca, http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityeventstoronto, or the CityEvents Twitter page for more event information.

Unfortunately on Valentine’s Day most events or parties are for couples, so where does that leave us singletons? We could take the oh-so familiar route of sitting on the couch, watching “The Notebook” , “Titanic” and “P.S I Love You”, while eating all of the contents of one’s fridge. Instead why not follow my three simple rules on how to survive Valentine’s Day, while avoiding the food-coma and cheesy romantic comedies.

Be Social. Nothing says “depressing single night” like spending the evening alone. That is why it is so important to grab some of your same-sex friends, and have a fun night out. As unwilling as you may be in the beginning, trust me, you will be glad you left the house (and your pity-party!). When you go out with your friends, you will be reminded of how you are not the only one who’s single on Valentine’s Day; the singles are actually the majority!  So go out, enjoy yourself! You’ll have so much fun you will forget it’s Valentine’s Day.

Treat Yourself. Valentine’s Day is one of the most expensive holidays of the year right after Christmas. The worst part is, couples are spending money on things that aren’t even useful! Flowers, candy, teddy bears, chocolate, cards and dinner can all add up. All together the average couple spends almost $200 for one day on things that won’t last you past the weekend! What I suggest, instead of spending hundreds of dollars on someone, treat yourself. Sorry Cupid, we’re going to be selfish this year and love it! Buy yourself a massage, facial, some new clothing or save it. Either way, you’ll have something to show for this candy-made holiday.

I am Beautiful. Although my first two tips are great for getting you out of the Valentine’s Day funk, essentially, you don’t need a man/woman to feel loved.  This holiday should not make you feel sad, alone or depressed because it is just a day. You should embrace the relationships you have with your friends, loved ones and family. Celebrate your love with them; buy your best friend a well-deserved rose, or a box of chocolates.  You do not need anyone to feel happy or better about yourself, because you are beautiful. If you find yourself feeling sad or alone, tell yourself at least ten times, with oomph, “I am beautiful”.

If all else fails, at least remember there is an even better holiday on Feb 15^th. “Flag Day”.

It happens every year. You and your sweetheart are basking in the post-holiday glow. All of the chaos of Christmas, Hanukah, New Years and oh-so many family get-togethers has passed and its back to just the two of you when suddenly you see it: that first pink and red shiny teddy bear in the drug store window.

Valentine’s day is a great fun day to show your partner how much you care about them, but the pressure to create a lasting romantic memory strikes fear in the hearts of even the most assured couples. So whether you’re old flames or a new romance check out these fabulous ideas to sweep even the hardest to surprise valentine off his or her feet.

Make it Unique
A box of chocolates and flowers are Valentine’s Day staples, but think outside the box to really knock the socks off your date. The perfect gift starts in knowing your date’s interests. At the same time picking a hobby related item when you don’t know much about the subject is a minefield. The safest route is to pick something fun, luxurious, and that they would never treat themselves to (forget practical gifts for this day). A great resource for strange gift ideas is http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/. Updated daily, here you can find gift ideas ranging from suit-jamas (silk suit pajamas), Ninja Star coat hooks, to remote control sharks. Prices range from the $55,000 working Tron motorcycle to the $6.87 glow in the dark toiler paper. It’s everything you never thought of, but always want.
Transformers USB Flash Drive $14.00

Make it Homemade
Not every Romeo and Juliet has the old-family money to throw around. There are hundreds of things you can make or do, even if your pocket book is on the lighter side. Homemade cookies, brownies, or other sweet treats always show your care and effort (which is always better than throwing a lot of money around). Can’t cook? Try a homemade craft or card. Everyone at CityEvents is in love with this neat idea guaranteed to impress: “Rainbow Roses”. Pick up 6 white roses and with a sharp X-acto knife, slice a 3 inch strip in the stem at the end, then quarter it so the end of the stem breaks into 4 prongs. Get four cups, and add 30 drops (super saturated) of food colouring of yellow red, blue and green in each cup (one colour per cup). Dip one piece of the stem in each for each rose, then gently tie the roses together so they don’t fall over (they tend to do that once the stems are split). Leave for 3-4 days and the roses will soak up the colours and the petals will begin to turn. Once they are coloured, cut off the split ends and be prepared to stun your date.

A Night on the Town
Now that you’ve picked out something to give your Valentine, it still leaves the question about what to do? We live in an amazing city. Any night of the week there is something interesting going on, the problem is narrowing it down to find the perfect event to take your Valentine to. Any savvy-Torontonian knows to do their research before hitting the streets. The City of Toronto lists all festivals and larger events: http://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf/. Here you can find everything from the fantastic Winterlicious meal-deals to Valentine’s Day parties. As always http://torontocityevents.ca/site/ has featured events if your date enjoys touring the city.

Hiberdating
Not every Valentine is the type to dance till dawn. Knowing your date’s style social style will dictate if you paint the town red or curl up inside in front of a roaring fire. Staying in and “Hiber-Dating” as it’s affectionately known can be better than spending your money and time outside. Make it a perfect cozy evening for two with a bottle of wine (check the LCBO’s blog for hot deals) and a home cooked meal. Making the night a personal party for two does take some planning however, so stock up on snacks, treats, and movies and your evening is sure to be sizzling.

There are many different routes to take when planning the perfect Valentine’s Day but when in doubt keep it simple, keep it thoughtful, and just remember: make it unique to your unique couple style!

Couples

Singles needn’t worry about lack of events to attend on a day geared towards couples; Toronto is filled with opportunities for singles to have fun. No Sweetheart Required, is a festival presented by Cabbagetown Theatre Company from February 9 to the 14, the festival includes performances, music and more.  There is also the humorously named Toronto’s Largest Singles Anti-Valentine’s Day Party hosted by C-Lounge on the February 11.  and our recommended event:  Among the numerable things happening in the city this Valentine’s Day a few stand out among them is Shanny in the City and Gary Wilson’s Eligible Inc. Social Club present Valentine’s Masquerade Event, it is an exclusive and mysterious event happening in downtown Toronto on February 10. The event includes appetizers, drinks and door prizes.

image from freeimageslive.co.uk

1. Set a Romantic Scene: Set up a scene that evokes feelings of love and desire – a lacy white or red table cloth with candles, fancy napkins and good china and wine glasses. Get creative – why not get cozy and do your dinner on a blanket by the fireplace or sit on pillows by your coffee table!

2. Plan a Romantic Menu: Take your lover’s likes and dislikes into consideration, maybe there is something special that he or she has always loved or something that they have always wanted to try? Foods that are red, pink, and white evoke the spirit of the holiday.

3. Serve a Romantic Dessert: This is one of the most important aspects for the entire meal as it will set the tone for the rest of your evening. Chocolate is known for it’s mood and libido enhancing properties so chocolate cake, brownies, or cupcakes are great choices. You could also try a fruity desert with Valentine’s Day theme colours like white chocolate raspberry cheesecake or strawberry sorbet with whipped cream!