Even a lot of money can’t buy you love. But a little bit of it can get you a great night on the town to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special someone. If your wallet says you can afford a fancy show and a fine dinner these days, go for it. But if you’re not so lucky, we say it’s a great year to think differently. It’s all about figuring out what your love really loves and making a frugal night of it — whether that means a lush chorus, a sentimental movie, a touching bit of theater or a rock concert with a particularly cynical musical lineup. (Hey, you love her for that offbeat sense of humor, right?) Here are a few good — and not-sold-out — suggestions.
The color of love
There is a reason red lipstick, red dresses and red sports cars turn heads and quicken pulses, and why red roses and red hearts symbolize Valentine’s Day. Red is the color of love, romance and passion. The Rule Gallery, 227 Broadway, celebrates red in a multiplicity of manifestations with “Red@Rule,” a free exhibition opening today with a public reception from 6 to 9 p.m. and continuing through April 4. The works by 18 mostly regional artists display a range of styles, media and approaches, but they all have one thing in common: the incorporation of red in one fashion or another. 303-777-9473 or .
Sounds around town
Believe it or not, love songs didn’t begin with Neil Diamond and Celine Dion. In case there is any doubt, the Boulder-based Ars Nova Singers will showcase great romantic music from the past four centuries in a program titled, “Love: The ‘Fifth’ Element.”The lineup will begin with music by such Italian baroque masters as Claudio Monteverdi and Antonio Vivaldi, and continue with selections from the 19th and 20th centuries, including “All I Ask of You” from “The Phantom of the Opera.” Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. today at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine St., Boulder, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Englewood. $20, $15 seniors and $10 students. 303-499-3165 or .
Esquire entanglement
Doesn’t sound quite right to kill two (love)birds with one stone. But tonight and Valentine Day’s night you can take your adored to “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” a strangely romantic flick about romantic estrangement. Michel Gondry directed this Charlie Kaufman-penned wonder, which has two midnight showings at the Esquire theater. Jim Carrey is terrific as Joel Barish, a guy who learns his ex-gal has undergone a procedure that erased him from her memory. He opts for the same experimental treatment, then struggles with the decision. Consider this a well-timed chance to also catch Oscar nominee Kate Winslet in one of her finest roles to date as Joel’s fading beloved, Clementine. Midnight tonight and Saturday. Rated R. 108 minutes. $7.25. Esquire Theatre, East Sixth Avenue and Downing Street; 303-733-9939 or .
Harmonies at the Skylark
Outside of a few ubiquitous names, you don’t hear a lot about the country music coming out of Colorado. But if you like your alt-country local, then check out either of this weekend’s shows at the Skylark Lounge. Tonight the Hollyfelds will take over the South Broadway rockabilly room for some good-time music and plenty of harmonies. And on Saturday, the Culhanes — a Longmont group with a more reverent country tone — will celebrate the release of the new CD, “No Part of Nothin,” at the Skylark, 140 S. Broadway. A five-spot gets you into either of the shows. More: .
A weekend at home
The frugal valentine stays home and snuggles in front of the TV. Getting a jump on the holiday, avoid “Wife Swap” tonight on ABC and instead watch 2003’s “Love Actually,” at 7 on Oxygen. Practically painless, with Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman and Bill Nighy. A pint of Amazon Valley Chocolate Haagen Dazs wouldn’t hurt. That will put you in the mood for one of the more romantic movies of our age on the big day, Saturday night’s showing of “Sleepless in Seattle” on Oxygen at 6 or 8:30. The perfect ice cream accompaniment: the pinkish- swirled White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle.
Love, live at Paragon
When it comes to theater, an irresistible love-themed choice is Saturday’s opening of, appropriately enough, “Love Song,” an offbeat modern comedy by John Kolvenbach. It’s about an introverted exile named Beane and his better-adjusted but tough sister, Joan. When Beane transforms into a blissfully happy person, she sets out to unravel the mystery of his new love, Molly. It’s been called “a rhapsody to the power of love in all its forms.” Presented by Paragon Theatre at Crossroads Theatre, 2590 Washington St., 7:30 p.m. (through March 14). $17-$19. 303-300-2210 or .
Anti-valentine deal downtown
Thumb your nose at this made-for-Hallmark holiday and have a downtown slumber party with your girlfriends.”Girls Only,” a sketch comedy intended for female audiences, is hosting a “Date Free Zone” Valentine’s party. For $65 each, you and a friend get tickets to the play at the Galleria Theatre, and one room with two queen-sized beds at the Curtis Hotel, complete with girly drinks and junk food. On other nights, the same package runs $190 per person. The two-woman play, which has performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, is based on the childhood diaries of the performers. Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100,
Dance it off at Lipgloss
When was the last time you danced so hard you felt it the following morning? TheLipgloss crew is out to make this Valentine’s Eve one to remember with their annual Bloody Valentine Party. This year’s special guests have a way of making people shake it: Todd Fink and Jacob Thiele of electro band the Faint. The Faint will play a full-band show May 5 at the Ogden Theatre, a co-headlining outing with Ladytron, but tonight the members will be DJing alongside Lipgloss resident DJs boyhollow and Tyler “Danger” Jacobson. Tickets are $6 in advance at and $8 at the door. Lipgloss takes over La Rumba each Friday, 99 W. Ninth Ave. More: .
Kissing Party at Meadowlark
While some will distribute candy hearts to their loved ones, others will take their significant others to theBloodshed Deathbathparty at the Meadowlark on Saturday night. (No, it’s not a night of black metal — although that is a great idea for next Valentine’s Night.) The night features twee-rockers Kissing Party alongside Cacheflowe and Elephant Foot — and the world premiere of Ryan Policky’s short film “Motel London.” Cover is $6, and remember, the Meadowlark is down the lit stairs at 2701 Larimer St. More: .
Contributors: Ricardo Baca, Lisa Kennedy, John Moore, Joanne Ostrow, Kyle Macmillan
