Weekly Planner

METRO's guide to the week's best events in food, fashion, music and more

The Midtown Greenway Coalition plans to take advantage of this winter's unusually warm conditions with the first annual Winter Wonder Walk-Ride on Saturday.

Image credit: Photo by Mulad via Creative Commons

By: Adam Marks

The Twin Cities is blessed to have a deep cultural well from which to draw. But the diversity of options can be downright discombobulating. To help readers make the most of their precious free time, METRO is hand-selecting a collection of their favorite happenings every week. The "Weekly Planner" feature will appear every Wednesday. Whatever you do, doing nothing is not an option.

Guy’s Night Out

Combine scotch, beer, and lingerie and even guys won’t mind doing a little shopping. Back by popular demand, it's a special night just for men featuring beer and scotch tasting with Chuck from Solo Vino, a cigar from Stogie's on Grand for the ride home, and “guy snacks” from Cheeky Monkey. Valentine's Day shopping has never been so enjoyable. Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., Flirt Boutique, 177 North Snelling Ave., St. Paul, flirt-boutique.com.

Date For Life

Looking for a Valentine? What better way to meet someone than at an event for a good cause? Bid on your favorite Twin Cities bachelor or bachelorette, and contribute to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund at this year’s Date For Life event (couples are welcome too). Also on offer: a silent auction, cocktails and appetizers. Thursday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m.; ARIA at The Jeune Lune, 105 N. First St., Mpls, $25-$50. dateforlife.org.

Mu Daiko 15th Anniversary Concert

In Japanese, Taiko means “great drum.” For anyone who has seen Mu Daiko perform, this makes complete sense. The Minneapolis-based group plans to embark on a statewide tour to celebrate their 15^th anniversary, starting at the Ordway’s McKnight Theater in St. Paul. Friday, Feb. 10 – Sunday, Feb. 19. Ordway, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, muperformingarts.org. 

Heartless Bastards

Valentine’s fever have you searching for something a little less sappy? Join the Heartless Bastards at First Avenue as they debut a new lineup of songs from their forthcoming album, Arrow. New singles “Parted Ways” and “Low Low Low” showcase front-woman, Erika Wennerstrom’s dynamic vocals. Don’t blame us if you fall in love. Friday, Feb. 10, Friday, 8 p.m., First Avenue, 701 First Ave., Mpls, $15, first-avenue.com.

Winter Wonder Walk-Ride

The Midtown Greenway Coalition plans to take advantage of this winter's unusually warm conditions with the first annual Winter Wonder Walk-Ride. The event offers a perfect opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the Greenway. Activities include a marshmallow-roasting bicycle, biking and walking tours of the Greenway. Treats will be provided by Common Roots Cafe, Rye Deli and Peace Coffee. Pick up your event map at the Sheraton Midtown Hotel, and enjoy the free event. Saturday, Feb. 11, noon to 2 p.m., Midtown Greenway, midtowngreenway.org.

Valentine's Day TC 5K

Grab your friends or significant other, and feel the love of the Twin Cities running community at the Valentine's-inspired 5K fun run around Lake Harriet. This is a run that is guaranteed to get your heart racing in more ways than one. Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m., Lake Harriet, tcmevents.org.

Be Mine! Dog Adoption and Art Show

Many of us suddenly find that we need a little companionship around the dreaded Valentine’s Day. Fill the void with some puppy love at the Be Mine! Adoption and Art Show at Ruff Love Dogs, featuring the work of Stray Dog Arts, Sara Beth Photography – as well as a host of activities for you and your four-legged friend. Sunday, Feb. 12, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ruff Love Dogs, 1528 Marshall St. NE, Mpls, rufflovenortheast.com.

+ Have a great event to share? Submit it to web editor Drew Kerr at drew.kerr@tigeroak.com.