Ten romantic Valentine's Day dates

By TED SULLIVAN, Chronicle Staff Writer

Whether it's your first date or you've been married 50 years, Valentine's Day celebrations shouldn't include the same old dinner and a movie.

A Valentine's Day date should be spontaneous, romantic, special and memorable for you and the object of your affection.

Your date deserves to be spoiled - chocolates, candlelight, soothing music, dancing, laughter, sleigh rides, champagne and intimate conversation. Sound too good to be true?

Luckily, couples can find a number of places to be in love this Valentine's week. So grab your sweetie's hand and head out to one of the area's many events.

Your date is sure to end with kiss.

Evening with Montana Mandolin Society

Sliding your arm around your date as you listen to a mandolin ensemble vibrate acoustic rhythms off the theater's walls should score you points.

The Montana Mandolin Society will perform its seventh-annual Valentine concert at the Willson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.

"It's a Bozeman tradition," director Dennis White said. "Once a year, people come out of the woodwork for this event. It's a great evening."

Founded in 1999, the Mandolin Society is a Grammy-nominated, touring ensemble based in Bozeman. The society's four acclaimed albums are played on the radio around the world.

The music retains the flavor of an early classical ensemble while incorporating contemporary flair, drawing from bluegrass and jazz roots, White said.

Early in the last century, Montana was a hotbed for mandolin players, he said. In fact, a mandolin concert was held on Valentine's Day in Bozeman in 1902. The society continues that tradition with its annual concerts, White said.

"We're always encouraging everyone to bring their sweetie out for this event," he said.

Doors open at 7 p.m. at the Willson, 404 W. Main St. Tickets are $16 in advance, $17 at the door.

Arts on Fire

Painting by candlelight is an intimate and creative way to spend an evening with the one you love.

Arts on Fire is a paint-your-own pottery studio, where you pick out a piece of pottery and paint it. The studio has templates, books, sample pieces and staff to guide you.

And at the end of your date, take the results of your artistic expression home with you, providing you or your sweetie a special Valentine's Day keepsake.

Arts on Fire, located at 200 S. 23rd Ave., will be open until 9 p.m. on Valentine's Day.

For more information call 526-8081.

Spontaneous Combustibles shows and dessert buffet

For a night described as chock full of comedy and madness, with an emphasis on romance, relationships and love, make a date to attend to the Spontaneous Combustibles comedy show.

Equinox Theatre Company and Spontaneous Combustibles improvisational comedy troupe will host their annual Valentine's Day show at 8 p.m., Feb. 14. The show is for mature audiences only.

And it comes with dessert.

The theater is located at 2304 N. Seventh Ave. Tickets are, appropriately, $14, including dessert. Call 587-0737 for reservations.

Livingston Depot Center

Take your honey to the Livingston Depot Center to indulge in rich, chocolate desserts that may work as an aphrodisiac and put you in the mood.

The Depot Center will hold its 15th annual Chocolate Lover's Party on Friday, Feb. 16.

Guests at the party get to eat all the chocolate and desserts they want, said Bruce Lay, who is in charge of this year's party.

The event, sponsored by the local Rotary Club, benefits Livingston children in need, Lay said. Rotary members provide desserts and serve guests; local businesses and caterers also provide desserts.

The party also includes beer, wine and live music, and a Valentine's Day theme.

The party begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Depot, 200 W. Park St. The cost is $10 a person. Call 222-0304 for more information.

Chico Hot Springs

If you like stripping down to your swimsuit and soaking in 100-degree water or swigging beer and dancing to rock music, Chico Hot Springs offers a variety of options for you and your date.

The resort will have live music in the bar on the weekend nights before and after Valentine's Day.

On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9-10, Alter Ego will play rock 'n' roll in the bar. On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17, Blackwater will take the stage. The bar has no cover charge.

Soaking in the hot springs costs $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for children ages 7 to 12; kids 6 and under swim free.

The resort also has a formal dining room and a poolside cafe.

The pool has locker rooms for people who want to swim and go into the bar or to dinner afterwards.

Chico Hot Springs is 23 miles south of Livingston. Drive south on U.S. Highway 89 to the flashing yellow light in Emigrant, then turn left. Go about a mile to a stop sign and turn left again. Drive about a half-mile and turn right onto Chico Road.

Sacajawea Hotel

For a romantic night at a historic hotel, make reservations for the Valentine's Day sweetheart special at the Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks.

The special includes dinner for two in the dining room, a bottle of wine and a night in the hotel for $145, dining room manager Michelle Vernon said.

In addition to the regular menu, the dining room will offer seafood specials, steaks and barbecued pork ribs, Vernon said. Special desserts will also be made for couples to share.

Mike Myers, a singer and acoustic guitar player, will serenade diners from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Sacajawea Hotel at 5 N. Main St., can be reached at 285-6515.

Bozeman Senior Center

No matter your age, you're never too old to slow dance with your loved one or enjoy a nice dinner.

The Bozeman Senior Center will host a dance on Friday, Feb. 9, and a dinner on Valentine's Day.

The Old Country Players will be provide music at the dance from 7 to 10 p.m., center director Judy Morrill said.

On Valentine's Day, the center will host a dinner at noon, Morrill said. Mark Cheshire will play guitar and sing.

"We'll have a good crowd that day," Morrill said.

Anyone 60 or older may attend the events. The center is at 807 N. Tracy Ave.

Hypnotist show

You are getting very sleepy. When you awake, you will be romantic. You will treat your better half like a king or queen. You will always be affectionate.

Tom DeLuca, a nationally acclaimed hypnotist, will perform at the Strand Union Building ballroom at Montana State University on Valentine's Day.

His shows are spontaneous and humorous and demonstrate how valuable a tool imagination can be.

DeLuca has been a big draw at universities nationwide, performing for 10,000 people at the University of Virginia, according to his Web site. He has been named the National Association for Campus Activities' variety entertainer and performing artist of the year.

The show starts at 8 p.m. and is free.

Pinnacle at Big Sky restaurant

How about cuddling on a sleigh ride to the Pinnacle at Big Sky restaurant and listening to an award-winning artist during dinner with champagne and chocolate dessert?

If that sounds nice, hop a sleigh from Big Sky's Mountain Village to the restaurant on Valentine's Day.

After arriving for dinner, you will find singer and songwriter Jim Salestrom performing in the restaurant. His music is described as thought-provoking and emotional. It can make you laugh or cry.

Sleigh rides leave the village at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Call 993-5800 for reservations.

Murder mystery weekend

Townsend's weekend of mystery, suspense and thrills could be just the thing to get a couple's heart rates pumping.

The Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual murder mystery weekend at the Mustang Motel in Townsend on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-11.

Guests play the role of investigators trying to solve a murder, creator Bob Saxby said. They will be allowed to question witnesses and suspects and view the murder scene to determine who did it and why.

Townsend residents are hired as actors to play along in the mystery weekend, Saxby said. "A lot of people really get into their roles, and you'll see some elaborate costumes."

Guests meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Fishtail Tavern, where the mystery begins; stay at the motel Saturday night; and gather Sunday morning for breakfast to solve the mystery, Saxby said. Cash prizes are awarded to those who solve the crime.

The weekend costs $50 per person or $90 per couple, which includes a prime rib dinner and brunch.

The Mustang Motel is on U.S. Highway 287 in Townsend. For reservations call 406-266-3491.