Activity: Banya 5, $25/person. Plunge your body into a Russian bathhouse without flying to Moscow. This is an out-of-the-ordinary experience, fun with a group of friends or your sweetie. A cool place to spend part of your day. A series of different pools and hot rooms exhilarate and relax the body. Sometimes, your heart rate speeds up; other times, it slows down. All you know is, when you leave, you certainly feel a lot more rejuvenated!
Opera: Baroque Opera, Feb 11th - 13th, $35. OK, we all know how wonderful the Seattle Opera is, but every now and then, it's still nice to see a different production. Early Music Guild presents two English operas. Go see romance and comedy 17th century style. Else, if you are going to the upcoming Florencia in the Amazons, then go to a pre-Opera lecture discussing the background of the work, Feb 15th, free. A little extra knowledge can really increase the enjoyment of taking in this grand work.
Competition: Yo-Yo Competition, Feb 12th, free to watch. And you thought Yo-Yos went out with hula hoops. Watch pros and amateurs strut their stuff. A fun event to watch, and actually a whole lot less geeky than a Star Trek convention. We'd compete ourselves, but our fifth grade teacher took away our yo-yo at the start of the school year back in '89, and still hasn't given it back.
Music: Kodo Drumers, Feb 11th - 12th, $38. Primal, but not primitive. This is high energy percussion that just puts you in a headlock and pounds your skull with musical noogies. It's one of Japan's oldest art forms, and it still inspires just as deeply today as it did way back when.
Business: Capturing Value in the Information Age, Feb 11th, free. An all-day seminar on using information for competitive advantage and providing compelling informational services to your customers. Get a brain dump on a good subject and meet new people helping you further your own business objectives.
Celebration: Chinese New Year, year of the Rooster. If you already had a good time ringing in the new year, then think of this as a bonus New Year's celebration. Check out the Chinese New Year Celebration, Feb 12th, $8, for a bit of the party. Else, if you're more into watching performances, see the celebration by the International District, Feb 12th, free. Lots of entertainment, costumes, and great food.
Market: Fremont Sunday Market, free. Always a fun choice, sometimes it's easy to forget that it's going on. A cool outdoor marketplace with the funky flair of Fremont. Go and find something you didn't know you needed. Sometimes it's fun to double this trip up with the Sunday Ice Cream Cruise, $8.
Sports: Women's Hockey Exhibition Game, Feb 12th, $5. The NHL season is a non-starter, so take in something different this time around. Just because it's women's hockey doesn't mean the body checks are any softer or the trash talking is any lighter. The fun thing, at these smaller arenas, you can get so close, you can practically hear the bones crunching.
Sensory Seminar, Feb 10th, $15. If people with no sense of smell loose interest in sex, then on the flip side, what do pleasurable fragrances do? Find out with a Flirting with Fragrances seminar, exploring aromas and sensuous scents, followed by everyone's favorite of chocolate.
Art: Preview Party, opening on Feb 8th, exhibition continuing through April. Free to attend the opening, need to RSVP to fineartguy@comcast.net. A wonderful display of 20 works of northwest landscapes by Pieter Van Veen, learn more about this artist and how he captured the beauty we live in. You will be stunned.
Organizations: Seattle Scrabble Club. What's the highest scoring three letter word? Dunno that one, but these folks surely do. If you think you're a word smith, then go see if you got the chops to play with these folks.
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Valentines Day: Even though many claim this holiday as a “Hallmark holiday,” not worthy of celebrating, it’s nice to have one day a year devoted to love. Whether you’re single or with someone, Valentines Day can be celebrated in memorable style. No matter your present situation, use this day to pamper yourself or your special somebody.
Dinner: The classic choice, and no shortage of inspiring options in town. Andaluca will certainly impress. Very romantic, an innovative menu, and an enchanting atmosphere. This restaurant will practically get you to the next base with your date.
Singles: No one likes to be alone on Valentines Day but if you’re creative, you can still have fun and enjoy this day of love. If you’re flying solo, book yourself a spot of pampering massage at a local spa. Ummelina is a wonderful downtown spa that puts you in a self-loving Zen mood from the moment you walk through the door. Sip a cup of hot tea in your robe while your masseur lovingly washes your feet Jesus style, then loosens you up with a relaxing hot oil massage.
On the cheap: If you’ve just met your sweetie and are not up to the romantic dinner for two or need to go light on the dollars, consider an inexpensive light romantic experience by going for a walk down Alki with a pit stop at the Alki Bakery for something gooey and sweet.
