Valentine’s Day is almost here. Sappy, romantic songs are in the air. Lovebirds are singing, cash registers are ringing.
And single people are rolling their eyes and making gagging sounds.
When the whole world around you is celebrating the joys of idealized love, it’s only natural for a single person to feel a little cynical about the whole thing.
That’s no reason to stay at home and pout, though. A better idea: Be the gleeful arrow through all that saccharine.
Denver cycling coach and marketing whiz Jen Nordhem, 26, finds herself single this year.
“I just kind of don’t like the holiday, whether or not I’m with someone,” she says. Happily, Nordhem is well- equipped to deal with any bitter feelings that might arise: On Monday nights, she teaches a hard-core “Metal Mondays” cycling class at Breathe, a yoga and cycling studio.
“I always listen to metal,” she says. “That’s fun if you want to get some aggression out on your bike. . . . I typically do lots of long, grueling climbs and endurance work.”
But this Monday’s class is special. Afterward, “We’ll hit the bar,” says Nordhem. “Make it a single ladies’ night.”
Eric Elkins, 43, has a complex relationship with V-Day. The chief executive of Denver social-media consulting firm writes a blog, “Dating Dad,” about life as a single father.
“It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself when you’re doing the single-parent thing,” he says. “That said, I will avoid any event on that day with the word ‘single’ in it. That stuff can seem so contrived.”
When Elkins’ 10-year-old daughter is with him on Valentine’s, Elkins treats her to her own heart-shaped box of chocolates. This year, though, Elkins is on his own.
He and other single friends will be bound for Ginger Perry’s hipster “Blingo” night at the Hi-Dive — a regular Monday thing (9 p.m., 7 S. Broadway).
Party for a cause or
revel in some mayhem
Here are just a few suggestions for more ways to revel in your freedom.
Saturday-Sunday. Smash those Valentine blues watching the Monster Jam Trucks at the Pepsi Center (1000 Chopper Circle). No romance here, just destruction. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Sunday (gates open an hour earlier). $30-$107. monsterjam
Saturday. Scrub Valentine’s Day from your mind at the My Bloody Violent-ine Film Festival Feb. 18-19 at Three Kings Tavern (60 S. Broadway). Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite horror characters as they view short, gory films, drink and dance. Sunday. The cast of the drag show “Tucked” presents “$@#! Love” at Charlie’s (900 E. Colfax Ave.). Let the ladies skewer all the things you love to hate about love while you raise a toast or two with $4 pitchers of Bud Light. Monday. Single’s Day Soiree. Meet up with other singles, and contribute to a good cause at Casselman’s, 2620 Walnut St. Money raised at the party goes to the International Relief Fund, a charity that combats hunger and malnutrition. Entry is $5 for ladies, $10 for dudes, and gets you live music, mingling and a giant Twister game. Doors open at 6 p.m.
