If you haven’t made your Valentine’s dinner reservations yet, you’re probably out of luck. But who says V-Day has to be about dinner? Not when you can:
LAUGH together
The Odd Couple (Female Version). Neil Simon’s revision of his classic comedy features a fussy Florence instead of Felix and a slovenly Olive instead of Oscar, Trivial Pursuit instead of a poker party and the Constanzuela brothers instead of the Pidgeon sisters. Trust Hat Trick Theatre Productions to find the laughs, whatever the genders — especially since they’ve cast two of the best comic actors around in the leads, Jonelle Marie Meyer and Emily Belvo. And here’s a fun fact: They’re roommates in real life, and the Constanzuelas are being played by real-life brothers, Cristian and Nick Torres. 2/14-24, Murray Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall, rutheckerd.com.
LEARN together
World Affairs Conference. It’s the perfect date for smart people: Go to a panel at the World Affairs Conference and then go out for coffee afterwards and argue about it. You’ll have plenty to talk about after any of the discussions on tap today. Subjects range from Brexit to climate change to “Why is everyone a wounded minority; or, what happened to e pluribus unum?” (2 p.m.) with panelists including John Zigby of polling fame, and Florida in the world’s imagination: From conquistadors to Disney (11:20 a.m.) with panelists including Gary Mormino, everyone’s favorite Florida historian, and Laura Reiley, everyone’s favorite Tampa Bay restaurant critic (who’s leaving us soon for the Washington Post, so catch her if you can). Just make sure to register ahead of time via the conference website or by phone, and plan ahead; seating is first-come, first-served. USFSP University Student Center, 200 6th Ave. S., 727-873-4872, worldaffairsconference.com
LOVE together
LOVE IS CALLING and Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculptures at the Tampa Museum of Art. This is the ultimate no-brainer for the Valentine’s-inclined: The final day of Yayoi Kusama’s mind-blowing mirror-room installation at the Tampa Museum of Art, which is also hosting (through March 17) a retrospective of work by the sculptor whose bold, graphic LOVE sculptures are instantly recognizable. Both shows would probably make a great backdrop for a wedding proposal, doncha think? tampamuseum.org
