Make Time for Valentine's
Even though it has a bad rap of being a holiday that’s most meaningful to card and gift companies, Valentine’s Day actually has much to recommend it. Music, gourmet meals, flowers, and greeting cards are nice any time, but they feel especially welcome in the middle of the cold, gray month that is February in these parts. Whether it moves you to carve out some extra time for that special someone or just to remind friends and family that they’re dear to you with a card or a call, any holiday that celebrates love and togetherness can’t be all bad.

Beat the crowds and celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early -- and with a lot of culture -- this year. The Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra is staging its Valentine’s concert on Sunday, February 10, at 3 pm at the Upper Darby High School. The program is highlighted by performances by soprano Cassandra Lambros. Among other things, she’ll be singing that famous, famous aria from “La Boheme” -– you know the one even if you don’t think you do, and it’s sure to move you. Tickets are available at the door and are $15 general admission, $12 for seniors, and $5 for students. (Get $2 off with a valid WHYY membership card.)

On the day itself, February 14, the award-winning restaurant Mission Burrito is serving its second annual three-course Valentine’s dinner. This white linen affair will showcase gourmet dishes prepared by chef/owner Javier Bendana, including rack of lamb with vegetable ratatouille and mint demi-glaze, filet mignon with baked potato strudel and burgundy-fig sauce, and mussels in white wine tarragon sauce. A captivating live performance by the nationally known Flamenco Ole! will complement the meal. The fine print: Three courses are $65, it’s BYOB, reservations are required, and making them soon is a good idea (610-622-6900).

Any local Valentine’s roundup is incomplete without mention of Bonnie’s Wondergardens, the go-to Lansdowne flower and plant shop for the past 30 years. In that time Bonnie and her crew have delivered not only posies but stuffed animals, chocolates, photographs, clothing, and even rings along with the roses. So if you have something meaningful you’d like to get into a loved one’s hands, take it to Bonnie, and she’ll see it gets there along with your flower order (beats FedEx!). If you want to do the handoff yourself, the shop at 233 Scottdale Road is open 8 am to 6 pm on Valentine’s Day. (Bonnie has a theory that the newer the relationship, the more tries it takes to get the wording on the card just right. Four or five torn-up cards = fresh out of the gate.)

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Joshua Marcus
Thursday, February 7, 7:00 pm; Regency Cafe, 14 S. Lansdowne Avenue; Free
Philadelphian Joshua Marcus presents two sets of his banjo-driven melodic folk songs this week at Regency Cafe.

Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra Valentine's Day Concert
Sunday, February 10, 3:00 pm; Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill; $15 General admission, $12 seniors, $5 students
Featuring Soprano Cassandra Lambros, this concert will include performances of romance-themed works by Ravel, Handel, Puccini, Verdi, and Brahms.
For more information visit http://www.lansdowneso.org

Concerts at the Beach House: Jeff and Vida Band
Sunday, February 17, 2008; 7:00 PM
Kate, Debra, and Bob Beach present an evening of well-arranged harmonies and mandolin, guitar and banjo from the critically acclaimed Jeff and Vida Band. $15 donation to the artist is requested. Read more.
For reservations please email bob@bobbeach.net or call 610-626-0012.

View the complete listing of local events

MARKET COUNTDOWN: The Lansdowne Farmers market returns in See you there on Saturday, May 24, 2008!