Sick Of Red & Pink? Make Some Alternate V-Day Plans.

There is no shortage of lists of romantic things to do and places to go in Connecticut this Valentine's Day.

But if you're single, or if your and your beloved's idea of romance does not involve stuffed bears, red roses, and high-pressure advertising campaigns, here are some alternative ideas for how to spend February 14th.

Go to an Anti-Valentine's Day event.

Bridgeport Theatre Company is presenting a concert full of break-up songs called Love Bites at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. Stars of BTC's production of Dreamgirls and special guests will perform pop hits and Broadway tunes, ranging from the angry to the maudlin. The show is February 14th at 8:00 p.m.

Several days before the holiday, Tisane in Hartford is hosting an anti-Valentine's Day drag show. On February 11th, beginning at 10:00 p.m., the café-slash-club promises drink specials and "no romantic music."

For teens and tweens, there are a bunch of unromantic options. The Guilford Free Library's In Be-Tween program has an Anti-Valentine's Day Party with crafts and snacks from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. In Avon, the Free Public Library's Teen Room has a similar event with "anti-conversational cupcakes" from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The City of Groton's Bill Memorial Library holds their Anti-Valentine's celebration, involving food and black duct tape roses, at 6:00 p.m. on the 13th. 

Distract yourself.

Many venues statewide have – shockingly – completely forgotten that we're all supposed to be standing on line at Edible Arrangements on the 14th.

Among the many events in Hartford which have nothing to do with hearts and flowers, Alton Brown is speaking at 8:00 p.m. the Bushnell, and there's a film and concert celebrating women in jazz at Real Art Ways (movie begins at 7:30 p.m.) 

In Hamden, the Outer Space is hosting a vintage clothing swap with special beers from Southern Tier Brewery and live music.

In New Haven, there's the Yale Concert Band's Winter Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Woolsey Hall. (Which is not only Valentine-free, but actually free!)

Go for a walk outdoors.

Because they can't hang tinfoil hearts from all the trees in the state forests, right? Weather permitting, of course, many of Connecticut's beautiful state parks, town parks, walking trails, and beaches are best in the quiet off-season.

Do something decidedly unromantic.

Something where you can't dress up and you might look really silly, like bouncing about at Launch Trampoline Park in Hartford.

There's also the 17th Annual Northeast Fishing and Hunting Show at the Connecticut Convention Center, not a particularly cozy or date-like activity.

Or, did you know there was a bowling alley under the CVS on Farmington Avenue?  Nothing says unromantic like "someone else's ugly shoes."

Except perhaps "musical about Nazis." There's a production of Cabaret at the Opera House in Broad Brook at 8:00 p.m.

Celebrate something else entirely.

February 14th is Susan B. Anthony Day. Hey, it's a state holiday in Florida! Anthony's causes included women's rights and the fight against slavery. So visit a site that's on both the Connecticut Women's Heritage Trial and the Connecticut Freedom Trail: the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford.

February 14th is also Library Lovers' Day - a perfect excuse to take out a book and curl up with it under a blanket. Visit Books, Ink at HamletHub for some reading ideas.

Take the best, leave the rest.

There's no need to throw the baby (by which I mean the chocolate and candy) out with the bathwater (by which I mean the saccharine slogans and shades of pink.) Plenty of sweets aren't Valentine's-specific. The Connecticut Chocolate Trail maps out selected chocolatiers across the state. Or make up your own pilgrimage to one of Connecticut's many excellent candy stores – Gumdrops & Lollipops in Niantic has old-school charm and vintage treats, Sweet Rexies in Fairfield makes you wish you were 10 years old again (and what do ten-year-olds care about Valentines?) and Litchfield Candy Company's unique little building  is filled with fudge and penny candy.