Valentine’s Day preparations are always inconvenient for those students whose school work, extra-curricular activities and job hours are at an all-time high. Some students, many of whom have landed their first date of the semester or year, wake up Feb. 13 without even thinking about what to do the next day. So, to help ease the nausea that inevitably ensues, the Daily Beacon entertainment beat has supplied a few last-minute options, both conventional and otherwise, to make planning a little less stressful.
A Meal for Two
It’s the oldest trick in the book, but there’s hardly a person who doesn’t enjoy a tasty meal or dessert cooked by their date, boyfriend or girlfriend. Though many people admit their own culinary impairment, cooking is fairly simple. For an easy meal, stay simple and elegant — perhaps a pasta dish with salad, wine and a couple microwavable cakes by Little Debbie or Duncan Hines for dessert. A good Web site for the inexperienced is http://www.studentrecipes.com.
And although having a kitchen helps, there are many options for students confined to the less-than-romantic dorm room. From brownies to pasta and rice to even beef stroganoff, there are many microwavable options to check out at http://www.astray.com/recipes. Remember, candles and flowers work wonders, and if you’re bored afterwards but the wallet or purse is dry, try the Carmike 7 Dollar Theater. Tickets run $1.50 for evening showings.
Organ Recital
For students who would rather not leave campus to celebrate, John Brock, professor of organ, along with violist Hillary Herndon and the UT Chamber Orchestra, are kicking off the UT Organ Week with the first recital at 8 p.m. today. Admission is free to the public, and the concert will be held in the James R. Cox Auditorium.
Tennessee Theatre “An Affair to Remember” Film Screening
Although dinner and a movie is the most popular Valentine’s Day date, students can break the mold with a movie at the Tennessee Theatre. The theatre is screening the 1957 classic, “An Affair to Remember,” starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 with a $2 service charge for phone and Web reservations. For more information, visit http://www.tennesseetheatre.com.
Sweetheart Dinner Cruise
If expense is not a problem, the Tennessee Riverboat Company is running the Sweetheart Dinner Cruise aboard the Star of Knoxville today, Feb. 16 and Feb. 17. For $34.95 a person, which doesn’t include tax or gratuity, diners can enjoy a three-course meal and live entertainment. The cruise is two hours long and includes champagne, chocolate kisses and a rose. Today and the 16th, the cruise boards at 6:30 p.m. and sails from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Feb. 17, it boards at 5:30 p.m. and sails from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All cruises board at Volunteer Landing. For reservations, visit http://www.tnriverboat.com.
World Grotto’s Anti-Valentine’s Day Party
For students would rather not celebrate relationships on Valentine’s Day, the World Grotto is hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Day Party. Hosted by Ammi Knight, the party asks guests to dress up for the theme in order to win prizes. The event begins at 9 p.m.
Market Square
Of course, if the Anti-Valentine’s Day theme isn’t your thing, Market Square is chock full of tasty restaurants, coffee houses and bars for romantic dinners, casual dates and late-night entertainment and dancing for singles and couples. For more information, visit http://www.worldgrotto.com or http://www.knoxvillemarketsquare.com.
