Kenosha Calendar: Valentine’s Day weekend has something for everyone

Local events this Valentine’s Day weekend cater to romantics and readers, the broken-hearted and history buffs, music fans and winter sports aficionados. In other words, it’s another Kenosha weekend with something for everyone. 

Best Bet

Kenosha Fusion, 5014 7th Ave., is hosting a unique Valentine’s weekend event that doesn’t require a date or a big wallet, although both are certainly fine to bring along! 

The Broken Heart Art Show, 6 p.m.-midnight Saturday (Feb. 12), will showcase 20 local artists’ unique interpretations of what love means to them, expressed through paintings, photography and mixed media. 

“Love can be beautiful, it can be messy, it can be painful, it is multifaceted,” Fusion co-owner Aimee Crucianelli said. “Everything that love is will be on display.” 

An artist meet-and-mingle will open the show at 6 p.m., accompanied by open mic performances. Food and beverages, including a mixologist creating theme drinks, will be available for purchase. Art on display will be sold at Fusion through February. 

The Broken Heart Art Show is curated by local artist/promoter Jill C. Zgorzelski, a member of the Lemon Street Gallery Board of Directors. 

Top Picks

A romantic, candlelit walk sounds like a perfect Valentine’s outing, and Pringle Nature Center at Bristol Woods Park sounds like the perfect setting. 

The Valentine’s Candlelight Hike is set for Friday (Feb. 11) starting from the Pringle Nature Center, 9800 160th Ave., Bristol. Three time slots are available, 6, 6:30, and 7 p.m. (time is selected during registration). Participants will check in at the front of the nature center building before following the candlelit trail through the woods. Organizers ask that participants dress for the weather, bring a face covering, and “leave lights at home to improve the experience for everyone.” 

Required Pre-registration (no walk-ins) is due Thursday (Feb. 10). Tickets are $6 for the general public/$4.50 for members.

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Imagine a blind date that is stress-free, and pretty much guaranteed to be a good time. Blue House Books’ popular “Blind Date with Book” is back beginning Friday (Feb. 11) during normal business hours at the shop, 5915 6th Ave. A. 

Books are completely covered in plain paper, with a short, vague written description to hint at the book’s subject. Genres range from love stories for the hopeless romantics, to motivational guides for the independent readers, to horror novels for the anti-romantics.

The event is scheduled to run through Sunday (Feb. 13), but that will be determined by inventory; it will continue until the books run out. Stop in to pick out your mystery date during this much-loved BHB event.

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Happy tunes come easy with KPL Kids To Go: Good Vibrations – The Science of Music and Sound, a take-home kit for families with kids ages 5-12, available on a first-come, first-served basis 9 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 12). 

The to-go kits help families explore the science of music and sound through science experiments, making musical instruments like a head harp, flute, bee hummer, or sound sandwich. Each box is designed for one child, and the library respectfully requests a two-box limit. 

To-go boxes no longer require registration. Instead, a limited quantity of boxes will be made available at each library branch as of opening time on Saturdays.

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In honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, the Civil War Museum presents Lincoln and the Presidential Campaign of 1860, with Doug Dammann, 1 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 12) at the museum, 5400 1st Ave.

What were the experiences of Abraham Lincoln as he prepared for the November 6, 1860 election? How did he campaign and market himself? How did he and his running mate get along? Are there any parallels between modern campaigning and what Lincoln and his supporters did in 1860?

This program will consider these questions, looking at the daily and monthly actions of Abraham Lincoln during the Presidential Campaign of 1860 for answers. The program is free and open to the public. 

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The Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave. will provide a Sensory Friendly Day prior to regular visiting hours Saturday (Feb. 12). This event is specially designed to give visitors of all ages with complex developmental disabilities, sensory sensitivities, or on the autism spectrum a safe, comfortable environment to explore the museum exhibits during special hours before the museum opens to the general public.

Where possible, lights will be dimmed and the sound turned off. Signage will be posted for those areas where sound is necessary and/or there may be other sensory triggers. Trained staff will be available to help visitors navigate the museum and offer supportive resources including noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, weighted blankets, quiet spaces), as well as opportunities for sensory engagement during your exploration of the museum. General admission to the museum is free. 

Day Tripper

Multi-talented musician and comedian Pat McCurdy brings his “Making Friends Valentine Show” to the Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Ave., Saturday (Feb. 12). Tickets are $13 for members and $15 for non-members. For tickets, reserved table rates, and more information, see the Cedarburg Cultural Center website. 

Can’t make that show? Tune in to McCurdy’s Facebook Live shows which continue twice a month. The idea began when he dedicated himself to entertaining his far-ranging fan base during the early pandemic months when his wildly popular in-person shows weren’t possible. 

Heads Up

The UW-Parkside men’s and women’s basketball teams are on the road this weekend, but they’ll be back next week with a pair of doubleheaders at the De Simone Arena. That homestand will be the last chance to see the Rangers at home this regular season. On Feb. 17 the Rangers take on Ferris State with the women’s tilt at 5:30 p.m. and men’s game at 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior State visits Feb. 19, beginning with the women’s contest at 1 p.m. and men’s game at 3 p.m. for Senior Day. 

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The second in Blue House Books’ series of Open Mic nights for writers is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 15). This month’s genre is poetry, with writers welcome to read from their works in front of an audience at BHB, 5615 6th Ave. A. 

The Lineup

THURSDAY, Feb. 10 

Music

Rhythm Dogs Blues Jam, featuring Marie Martens, 8 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.

Art 

V Crushable exhibit at the H. F. Johnson Gallery, Carthage College campus, 2001 Alford Dr. Sculptures and paintings created by Noah Kashiani and Kelly Reaves. Noon-8 p.m. (Through March 11). Free. 

Opening reception for the V Crushable art exhibit opening reception, 3:30-6:30 p.m.

H. F. Johnson Gallery, Carthage campus, 2001 Alford Dr.. Free and open to the public. 

African American Club exhibit highlighting notable Black Kenoshans,10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl. and Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. (Throughout Black History Month).

Artist of the Month: Mitch Braver, Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St. (Throughout February) 

Scared Scars, Shadowed Ground – Battlefield Photographs by Larry Stuart, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. This visual narrative of 25 archival photo prints captures the emotional essence of the famous and forgotten stories of the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County.

Selections from the Collections: Inuit Art. Prints and sculptures from the Arctic Circle. Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through March 6.

Chiwaukee Prairie Exhibit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum. This exhibit is a photo journal of the preservation of Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area located in Kenosha County. 

Potpourri 

Behind the scenes tour of the Fiery Trial Gallery, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Tour guide Doug Dammann. $20 general public/$15 Friends of the Museums members. This special tour highlights the history, stories and artifacts displayed in the main gallery, and also features special tidbits like hidden details in the artwork and photographs as well as how the exhibit was constructed. 

Family

KPL Kidding Around Yoga (Virtual) for ages 3-5, 4:30-5:15, this month via Zoom. Registration required.

Kenosha Public Library Virtual Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m. on KPL’s Facebook Live 

Downtown Story Walk, “When the Snow is Deeper than My Boots are Tall.” The story is told page-by-page in the windows of local businesses. See online map for all locations. Free and always open. (Through March). 

Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free. 

FRIDAY, Feb. 11 

Music 

Mykal Baas & The Delivery Men (rock) with Maxwell Tate & The Clean Plate Club (rap), 8:30 p.m. Fusion, 5014 7th Ave. 

Evening Breeze (R&B, jazz), 9 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.

Craig Seidl (Piano favorites), 58 Below, 514 58th St.

Art

V Crushable exhibit at the H. F. Johnson Gallery, Carthage College campus, 2001 Alford Dr. Sculptures and paintings created by Noah Kashiani and Kelly ReavesNoon-8 p.m. (Through March 11). Free. 

African American Club exhibit highlighting notable Black Kenoshans, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl. and Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. (Throughout Black History Month).

Artist of the Month: Mitch Braver, Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St. (Throughout February). 

Scared Scars, Shadowed Ground – Battlefield Photographs by Larry Stuart, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. This visual narrative of 25 archival photo prints captures the emotional essence of the famous and forgotten stories of the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County.

Selections from the Collections: Inuit Art. Prints and sculptures from the Arctic Circle. Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through March 6.

Chiwaukee Prairie Exhibit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum. This exhibit is a photo journal of the preservation of Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area located in Kenosha County.

Potpourri

Lecture on “The Fatal Rush: The 29th USCI at The Crater, Petersburg,” Noon, Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave.Dr. Laurie Schiller examines the role of the U.S. Colored Infantry including the 29th USCI, which was the only one of 149 black infantry, artillery and cavalry USCT regiments credited to the state of Illinois. Free.

Free Book Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Studio Moonfall, 5130 7th Ave. 

Family

Downtown Story Walk, “When the Snow is Deeper than My Boots are Tall.” The story is told page-by-page in the windows of local businesses. See online map for all locations. Free and always open. (Through March). 

KPL Virtual Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m. on KPL’s Facebook Live 

KPL Family Game Night (Virtual), 4:30-5:30 p.m., via Zoom. Play Zap! by answering trivia questions and listening to song selections. Registration now open. 

Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free. 

SATURDAY, Feb. 12 

Music 

The Westerlees (Western Swing) 8-11 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.

Saint Tragedy, 58 Below, 504 58th St.

Andrew Scott Denlinger, 8:30 p.m., The Brat Stop, 12304 75th St. 

Art 

Broken Heart Art Show 12-6 p.m., Fusion, 5014 7th Ave., Love-themed showcase of 20 multi-media artists. Meet-and-mingle with show artists and Open Mic, 6 p.m. Food and beverages available for purchase. 

V Crushable exhibit at the H. F. Johnson Gallery, Carthage College campus, 2001 Alford Dr. Sculptures and paintings created by Noah Kashiani and Kelly Reaves, Noon-8 p.m. (Through March 11). Free. 

“The Figure in the Story — An Art Exhibit by Margaret Clark” at Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. The exhibit, which will be featured through March 3, features photorealistic paintings that convey captivating narratives through a combination of seemingly unrelated images. Through the juxtaposition of images from multiple sources and Clark’s painting of an imagined environment, Clark contrasts the past and the present. Her work creates an immersive and thought-provoking experience for the viewer as they step into Clark’s world of magic realism. Doors to the exhibit will open at 1 p.m. and the artist opening reception will be from 5-9 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

African American Club exhibit highlighting notable Black Kenoshans,10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl. and Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. (Throughout Black History Month).

Artist of the Month: Mitch Braver, Public Craft Brewing, 628 58th St. (Throughout February) 

Scared Scars, Shadowed Ground – Battlefield Photographs by Larry Stuart, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. This visual narrative of 25 archival photo prints captures the emotional essence of the famous and forgotten stories of the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County.

Selections from the Collections: Inuit Art. Prints and sculptures from the Arctic Circle. Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through March 6.

Chiwaukee Prairie Exhibit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum. This exhibit is a photo journal of the preservation of Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area located in Kenosha County.

Potpourri

Presentation: Lincoln and the Presidential Campaign of 1860, with Doug Dammann, 1 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. Free. 

HarborMarket Indoor Season, 9-1 p.m., Kenosha Union Club, 3030 39th Ave. 

Kenosha Public Market Indoor Season, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., The Vault, 625 57th St. 

Family

Downtown Story Walk, “When the Snow is Deeper than My Boots are Tall.” The story is told page-by-page in the windows of local businesses. See online map for all locations. Free and always open. (Through March). 

Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free. 

SUNDAY, Feb. 13

Music

Cy’s Piano Jams, 4-7 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.

Open Mic with Daniel Thompson and his 3 AM Saints, 4-8 p.m., Fusion, 5014 7th Ave.

Art

Scared Scars, Shadowed Ground – Battlefield Photographs by Larry Stuart, Noon.-5 p.m., Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. This visual narrative of 25 archival photo prints captures the emotional essence of the famous and forgotten stories of the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County.

African American Club exhibit highlighting notable Black Kenoshans, Noon-5 p.m., Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Pl. and Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave. (Throughout Black History Month).

Selections from the Collections: Inuit Art. Prints and sculptures from the Arctic Circle. Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 1st Ave., Noon-5 p.m. Through March 6.

Chiwaukee Prairie Exhibit, Noon-5 p.m., Kenosha Public Museum. This exhibit is a photo journal of the preservation of Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area located in Kenosha County.

Potpourri

Studio Moonfall 5 for $5 Little Libraries project. $1 of each pack will go toward building more Little Libraries in our area.

Family

Downtown Story Walk, “When the Snow is Deeper than My Boots are Tall.” The story is told page-by-page in the windows of local businesses. See online map for all locations. Free and always open. (Through March). 

Open Skate, City Ice Rink at Veterans Memorial Park, 625 52nd St. Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (weather permitting). Free skate rental (first-come, first-served) available 4-9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Photo ID required for skate rental. Free. 

To submit an event for Kenosha.com’s Calendar, please email Laura@Kenosha.com and be sure to include contact information.