Can't Miss This!

The sun is out and, although it looks pretty, it isn't doing us much good. It's still colder than a Phillyist's, uh, hand, in a, um, brass, hm, glove? Politically correct humor is an oxymoron. Since it's Valentine's Day, we'll offer something angry for the loners, something romantic for the lovers and something educational for the learners to do in the city that is suddenly too cold for murderers. At least there's something good about single-digit wind chills.

POISON THE WELL WITH THE CHARIOT / DANCE GAVIN DANCE / CRIME IN STEREO
We know the image is THE Church, but you get the idea. Plus, the shows are in a basement, anyway. Poison the Well offer catharsis. They are loud and they are intense. Their lyrics discuss otherworldliness, pain, and the anger of an abandoned species left to live out a life with no clear purpose. Oh yeah, and they rock. As for their friends, we have yet to experience the music of The Chariot, Dance Gavin Dance or Crime In Stereo, but maybe you have. So go get kindly violent in the basement of a church!
WHO: Anyone!
WHERE: The basement of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 22nd and Chestnut Streets (map)
WHEN: 7:30pm
HOW MUCH: $12. Get 'em at Relapse Records, 608 South 4th Street (map)

VALENTINE'S DAY APHRODISIAC GUIDED TASTING
Love, sex, Rittenhouse Square. All good things any self-respecting Philadelphian longs to at least visit from time to time. But let's make it a quartet: Food. And food that contributes to the mood for sex with the one you love (or just say you love to get the sex: You know who you are! Perv). It ain't cheap, but you can expect some delicious tips on how to up the ante during an otherwise dull dating experience. An hour and a half is a long time to stuff your face with stimulating eats, so hopefully it'll lead to something when you cheeky, cultured, city couples return to the nest. Oh, and considering the menu consists of hand-crafted and artisanal (is it really spelled that way? it looks a little suspicious at the end there...) foods, don't expect any edible panties (NSFW!).
WHO: Couples. Or it ain't worth it.
WHERE: DiBruno Bros, 17th and Chestnut Streets (map)
WHEN: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
HOW MUCH: $40 per person. Get 'em here BEFORE 3PM!

A MEMORY, A MONOLOGUE, A RANT, AND A PRAYER
This reading, down the street from our food tasting extravaganza, reminds us that while it's good to spend time with our lovers, and good to make light of the loneliness, violence in general and in particular against women is still a very real for people all over the country. V-Day is a response to that violence. The title of the event is also the title of a collection of monologues that expresses the personal takes - sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, but always beautiful and inspiring - of several women who have experienced that violence. This is not a depressing event, but an uplifting example of rising above the struggle and reclaiming your pain. We have nothing sarcastic or witty to say: These women are wise, and the willingness to share that wisdom speaks volumes about their character.
WHO: Anyone.
WHERE: The Ethical Society Building, 19th and Rittenhouse (map)
WHEN: 6pm
HOW MUCH: $10 for the reading; $15 for the reading and a copy of the book. BrownPaperBag tickets is selling Will Call tickets but we spoke to one of the organizers and she said that they will definitely be available at the door, as well.

Image Credit: Flickr user flattop341

The listed events were chosen by the editors of Phillyist and brought to you by the 2009 Toyota Corolla.