707′s guide to Valentine’s Day

by Heather Irwin and Crissi Langwell

Oh, the pressure to get Valentine’s Day right. This year, it falls on Thursday, February 14 — giving you the option of celebrating the weekend before, after or on the day itself. Why not spread out the love?  With amorous date ideas for twosomes that include everything from animal mating to sonnets and barrel room dining, the options for celebrating right here in Sonoma County are delicious, romantic…and interesting, to say the least.

Here are some Valentines Day happenings in Sonoma County to romance your sweetie with your amazing thoughtfulness.

Discover what love has in store for you with a Valentine’s Tarot Reading.  Kooch and Victor Daniels, co-authors of the book, Tarot d’Amour, will be at Many Rivers Books & Tea from 7:30-9 p.m. on February 14th to offer prophetic insight to matters of the heart through short readings.  The readings are free, but donations are accepted.   130 S. Main St., Sebastopol.  Call 829-8871 or visit manyriversbooks.com.

Lemurs reclining at Safari West. Photo by Judy Bellah.

Make your Valentine’s Day ultra risqué with a sex tour.  That is, a Safari Sex Tour.  Safari West is offering their 11th annual Wild Jungle Love Sex Tour on Saturday, February 16th, leading lovers on an open-air vehicle ride through the safari grounds to see how romance is done animal style.  The tour includes a chocolate and wine reception that precedes the tour sex-cursion.  Of course, the popularity of this 18 & over event means that it fills up quickly, so advance reservations are required.  Cost is $80 per person, or $750 for a group of ten (which includes a wine, chocolate, and cheese basket).  3115 Porter Creek Rd., Santa Rosa.  More information at safariwest.com/wildjungle.

Take the captor of your heart out for a night of dancing when salsa instructors Jesus and Kristen of Santa Rosa Salsa lead beginners to more advanced dancers in an Intro to Salsa lesson at Society: Culture House. Cocktails will be served starting at 6 p.m. on February 14th, with an intro to salsa lesson from 7-8 p.m. From 8-10 p.m., show off everything you just learned in a night of open dance. Cost is $10 per person, $5 after 9 p.m. 528 Seventh St., Santa Rosa. More information at santarosasalsa.com.

Treat your sweetie to a night at the cabaret when vocalist Bonnie Brooks serenades the Occidental Center for the Arts on Saturday, February 16th with songs of L-O-V-E.  Backing her up will be pianist John Simon, with special guests Cliff Hugo on bass, Michael Brandenburg on drums, and Mel Martin on sax.  Tickets are $25-$45 and include cabaret or concert seating, and chocolate and champagne.  Concert starts at 7 p.m.  3850 Doris Murphy Ct., Occidental. More information at occidentalcenterforthearts.org/valentine-cabaret-let-there-be-love

Cabaret de Caliente, photo by Will Bucquoy

There’s going to be a Whole Lotta Love going on at Aubergine After Dark on Valentine’s Day evening when the celebration doubles as an ode to Led Zeppelin and to the day of love itself.  With Cabaret de Caliente as your spicy party hosts, you can expect a night filled with Burlesque, Belly Dance, pole dancing, and more.  To spread the love even further, bring a pair of pajamas for the, The Pajama Program, a charity that gives clean and warm pajamas to kids in need.  Anyone who brings a pair of PJs will be entered in a drawing to win a prize basket filled with goodies from iCandy, Hotease Burlesque, and Spice Sensuality Boutique, among others.  Pre-show seating and dinner begins at 6 p.m. on February 14th, and costs $35.  For tickets to just the 8:30 p.m., tickets are $15 advance, and $20 at the door.  755 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol.  More information at 861-9190, or auberginebarandcafe.com.

Give your Valentine the gift of butchery

Who needs dinner and a movie when you can have dinner and a butchering class? Now that’s some serious romance. Beginning Feb. 13, 2012, Meat Revolution’s Berry Salinas and Fork Catering’s Sarah Piccolo are teaming up for a three-class series focused on teaching home cooks how to make the most of their meat — with the benefit of dinner and wine as part of the learning process. Session one (5-8pm, Feb. 13) focuses on breaking down a whole chicken, how to brine and marinade and culminates with a communal dinner of coq au vin. Subsequent sessions include rabbit cookery, sausage and pork curing. Classes are $75 each, or $60 if you purchase the series. Limited to 10 students, 330 Main St., Sebastopol. Email info@forkcatering.com for reservations or call 707-494-0960.