Burlesque & Bloodshed | Rethink Valentine's Day in Pittsburgh

Burlesque & Bloodshed | Rethink Valentine's Day in Pittsburgh

Events perfect for daring couples, anti-Valentine's Day celebrators and singles

Valentine's Day originally began after St. Valentine was beheaded by the emperor of Rome after performing secret marriages for young lovers.

This year, if you're not feeling the flowers and lovey-dovey messages, we entice you to give in to the murderous, the macabre, the melancholy and the mesmerizing with Valentine's Day events that are just a little off from the usual heart-filled holiday.

Dracula | Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Valentine's Day bites. Celebrate Fangsgiving instead with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's spine-chilling production featuring the o.g. master of seduction himself, Dracula. Even if you're new to ballet, this gothic tale of bloodlust has appeal for all audiences and is the perfect perversion of this saccharine celebration.

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Turn Out the Lights & Mall Ball | Scarehouse

Looking for something a little darker? How about a total blackout? Scarehouse at Pittsburgh Mills is ratcheting up the thrills at their award-winning haunted house on Feb. 11 with a Turn Out the Lights experience, where you can cling to your date or a total stranger guided only by a glowstick. Survivors that purchase the RIP ticket will also be rewarded with exclusive access to the Mall Ball afterwards with live music, spooky denizens to meet and complimentary drinks and snacks.  https://www.scarehouse.com/

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Animal Instincts Valentine's Dinner | Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Let's talk about sex, baby / at Water's Edge under the sea. Join the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium on Feb. 10 and 11 for their Animal Instincts Valentine's Day dinner which includes dinner, drinks and a funny, adults-only presentation on mating habits and finding love in the wild. Insert Bloodhound Gang lyrics here.

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Classic Burlesque & Variety Valentine's Show | Storyville Lounge

When you see the red light in the entryway, you know what's up. The Storyville Lounge at Dr. Tumblety's is spicing things up this Valentine's Day with a burlesque Valentine's Day show Feb. 10 and 11. Red is the theme, but we're not talking hearts and romance. Instead, this event is inspired by New Orleans' Red Light District, complete with a Speakeasy secret password you'll need to enter, complimentary Prohibition Era cocktails and a red dress code.

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Laced/Unlaced Fashion Show

Silken voices will match the outfits at Laced/Unlaced, a scintillating runway experience from Pittsburgh Opera at Bitz Opera Factory Feb. 13. Enjoy accessible luxury from Skye Douglass, House of Couture Designs and Pulchra Intimates runway fashions as the stars of the opera add their voice for this dazzling night of sleek performances and scandalous designs 🥵

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How to Strip for your Partner

Learn the art of seduction with Thrive on Health and The Velvet Hearts burlesque troupe on Feb. 11. This How to Strip for Your Partner workshop includes everything from chair routines to learning the classic burlesque glove peel, and perfect for beginners. Be sure to dress in layers.

Murder Mystery Dinner Show

Pull out your best Benoit Blanc impression and head to the Omni William Penn on Feb. 14 to solve your own Knives Out mystery courtesy of The Dinner Detective, accompanied by a fantastic meal. But be careful, that's not jam on your partner's knife; the murderer just may be the person you're sharing the table with...

Emo Nights and Songs for the Dumped

Scream and be sad (hey, it got me through high school) this Valentine's Day with music events throughout the city. Join the Black Parade with Pittsburgh Emo Night at Squirrel Hill Sports Bar Feb. 10 and let it all out at Mr. Smalls' Show for the Dumped II Feb. 17 or Emo Nite ft. Hellogoodbye's Forrest Kline Feb. 24.