Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
Gerrit van Honthorst, The Triumph of the Winter Queen: Allegory of the Just, 1636. Oil on canvas. Anonymous Loan to the MFA. (Courtesy Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Art
Triumph of the Winter Queen
The wedding anniversary of the Winter King and Queen brings the opening of Gerrit van Honthorst’s Triumph of the Winter Queen to the MFA this Valentine’s Day. The regal, recently-conserved portrait depicts Elizabeth Stewart, Queen of Bohemia, sitting in a lion-drawn chariot surrounded by her children. An ominous painting, the size and scope of this innovative exhibit will allow you to delve deep into the stories of struggle behind the painting.
$25, Feb. 14-July 21, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., 617-267-9300, mfa.org
Food & Wine
Boston Wine Expo
It’s only February, but the year seems to be flying by. With work piling up, it’s time for a little indulgence and, thankfully, the 22nd Annual Boston Wine Expo is here to help. Play to your romantic side and listen to Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo, who have crossed countries to join in their love of wine, or taste the delicacies of celeb chefs Ming Tsai and Barbara Lynch. There is plenty to love about this reason to leave the house, so swirl, smell, sniff, and savor your way through this year’s expo.
$85+, Friday & Saturday, Feb. 16 & 17, Trade: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Consumer 1-5 p.m., Seaport World Trade Center and Seaport Hotel, wine-expos.com
Comedy
Craig Shoemaker at The Wilbur
Who says we have to take Valentine’s Day so seriously? Who better to spend the night with than “The Lovemaster,” Craig Shoemaker? Don’t bring the kids to this one; Shoemaker doesn’t shy away from the raciest of love topics that will keep you laughing all night long. Bring that special loved one for a hilarious romantic night out (or one of your friends to make fun of the holiday), and catch Shoemaker’s Valentine’s Special at the Wilbur Theatre.
$31, Feb. 14, 8 p.m., Wilbur Theater, 246 Tremont St., 617-248-9700, thewilburtheater.com
Music
Tony Bennett at the Boston Opera House
If you need a more heartwarming Valentine’s Day activity, the crooning of Tony Bennett at the Boston Opera House is sure to make you swoon. You can turn on a Bennett CD as background music for your home-cooked dinner, but then you wouldn’t be seeing him dazzling an audience live in a magical theater. The winner of two Emmys, 16 Grammys, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Tony Bennett believes in the power of what he sings. With this Valentine’s date, you’ll leave your heart at the Boston Opera House.
$57+, Feb. 14, 8 p.m., Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., 617-259-3400, bostonoperahouse.com
Musical
Disney on Ice
Bringing the Happiest Place on Earth to Boston, Disney on Ice: Rockin’ Ever After opens at TD Garden this Friday. Watch royal suitors compete for Brave’s free-spirited Scottish princess, listen to the musical madness of characters from Tangled, or honor the classics with the regal Beast as he puts the moves on Belle. Ending February 24, this show mixes the old and the new for singing, dancing good fun on the ice at the Garden.
$21+, Feb. 15, 7 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, 617-624-1050, tdgarden.com
