What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1336786
8 WHAT'S UP! FEBRUARY 7-13, 2021 FEATURE Love Is In The Air Ideas for entertaining yourself or others on the big 2/14 JOCELYN MURPHY NWA Democrat-Gazette V alentine's… Palentine's… Galentine's… Singles Awareness Day… Treat Yo' Self… The middle of February is no longer reserved solely for reveling in the relationship between a romantic couple. The celebration of love and affection that rolls around on Feb. 14 has come to encompass all relationships — including the most important one: loving oneself. Whomever you're showing love to this year, why not throw a little extra their way on Valentine's Day? Though covid-19 numbers appear to be on the slow decline, Valentine's Day will still need to look a bit different this year as we endeavor to continue keeping our loved ones safe. The holiday is on a Sunday, which presents the perfect opportunity for a whole weekend of celebration, if you want. So if you're in need of some covid-friendly ideas for showering love upon your sweetheart, your friends, kiddos or yourself, we've got just the thing with our V-Day roundup to ensure 2021's Valentine's Day is one for the books. (A note: Though there are plenty of restaurants and businesses open and ready to welcome you for the holiday, this list serves as an idea board for those who are not yet comfortable attending events or gatherings in person, or sitting down inside a restaurant.) Learn We know you may be a little disillusioned at the thought of another holiday spent in front of a screen, but why not shake that screen time up a bit and learn something new together? If there's something you don't know — how to salsa dance, how to pot or re-pot a beautiful Chinese evergreen, how to paint a tranquil beach scene, how to arrange the perfect charcuterie board — there are most certainly online resources out there to teach you. And with everyone pivoting to the digital realm over the last year, more activities, workshops, YouTube tutorials and even TikTok instructionals exist than ever before. Start by finding something that interests you and your loved one, then try searching for a class, workshop or how-to video online. If you're long-distance from your honey, want to make it a double-date night with another couple, or are having a virtual get-together with some friends, look for a class that connects you through Zoom or another platform so that you all can attend. Some classes will require no setup or extra components, some mail participants the materials ahead of time, and some will provide a shopping list of items that should be easy to acquire. Here are just a few virtual ideas to consider: — Take a "paint & sip" class. — Or a dance class. — Try a new workout routine or discipline. — Take a virtual guided tour through a museum or city. — Enroll in a massage workshop. — Try your hand at floral arranging with a Galentine's workshop at Eden's Flower Truck in Fayetteville. Eat What's that saying? "The fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach"? Well, we're pretty confident good food can fortify affection among any people. Between all those sourdough loafs and pans of banana bread you made over the past year, how many times did you think about dipping into, or actually take the plunge and trying, gourmet cooking? Crafting the perfect cocktail? Building a meal or a whole evening around a theme? Or if you're not the culinary type, plenty of local establishments already have decadent and exciting prix fixe meals available for pre- order or festive desserts to add that special something to your day. — If you're of the competitive nature, try challenging your partner to a cook-off. — Cook the same recipe, and pair it with the same bottle of wine, with your girlfriends over Zoom. — Set up your own at-home bar crawl with a selection of brews from local breweries, or a virtual wine-tasting event with a fellow oenophile. — Order takeout from your favorite local eatery and dine by candlelight. Or throw down a blanket and have an indoor picnic. — Join (from home) Bentonville's artisanal cheese shop Sweet Freedom Cheese for a "Celebration" Springdale artist and oil painter Lisa Nance has a few of her whimsical and thought-provoking pieces in Downtown Rogers' February Art on the Bricks exhibition. The theme for this month is "Love Is…", providing a virtually blank canvas filled with possibilities to showcase art that is meaningful, beautiful and/or inspirational. The works in the exhibition can be found at facebook.com/ArtOnTheBricks or @rogersartonthebricks on Instagram. lisananceart.com. (Courtesy Photo/Lisa Nance, courtesy Downtown Rogers Inc.)