The clock’s ticking. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and you still don’t have a date night planned. Yours is a love that requires mental stimulation and intellectual arousal. Chocolates and fancy dinners are fine for other lovers, but you’ve got a special relationship that aches for cerebral release.
Sure. It could be a love that will go down in the history books alongside names like Antony and Cleopatra, Tristan and Isolde, Taylor and Travis. But only if you can keep coming up with novel date suggestions.
Finding the perfect brainy date night can be a real tough job, and living up to expectations can be mortifying.
But don’t worry, dear reader. We’ve got you covered. Get ready to wow your partner with some stimulating date ideas that will create lasting memories while inspiring exploratory thought experiments.
Here are some Valentine’s Day learning experiences that are bound to get a rise out of your smart significant other:
CSP Dance Class
It’s a sitcom cliché for a reason. You want to impress a date? Bust out some unexpected dance moves and cut a rug. But what do you do when you don’t know how to dance? Head on over to CSP Dance Studios (1624 Eubank Blvd. NE) and sign up for a Valentine’s dance class. They can teach you how to swing, two-step and cha cha your way to romance. For a special treat, check out their free country dance lesson, being hosted at The Dirty Bourbon (9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE) Feb. 9, from 6pm to 7pm.
Seed Saving
If the love of your life has a green thumb, you might consider taking them to a Seed Saving Workshop. Learn how to collect and save seeds from your garden so you can renew it every year. This workshop is hosted by veteran grower Brett Bakker, who says he learned the art of seed saving from New Mexico elders and viejitos. The class starts at 11am on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Larry P. Abraham Agri-Nature Center (4920 Rio Grande Blvd. NW).
Chatter Paint
If your date has an artistic streak, you can scratch their itch with an appointment at Chatter Paint (12501 Candelaria Road NE Ste J), the paint studio that brings art and activity together. Armed with protective gear and artistic tools, clients are invited to splash, spray and splatter to their heart’s content. Create splashy works of art or organize a color attack at this unique venue.
Dia De Los Valentine’s
Artistic lovers can also drop in at Kelly Jo Designs by Wine (6829 Fourth Street NW) on Wednesday, Feb. 14, for a fun evening of wine and painting starting at 6:30pm. Couples are invited to make their own Day of the Dead-style duo cameos on two 12×24 canvases at the Dia de Los Valentine’s class. Wine, beer and mimosas will be available to help lubricate your artistic talents.
Stampin’ Up Valentine’s Card Making
Cruddy, store-bought Valentine’s Day cards are useless when it comes to expressing how you really feel. Instead, take your date to the Stampin’ Up Valentine’s Card Making Workshop this Sunday, Feb. 11, at Pinspiration (6271 Riverside Plaza Ln. Ste D1), where you can build a token of your affection with your own two hands. Make your own cards and declare your love with a personal touch starting at 1:30pm.
Bougie Brie Charcuterie
This ain’t the time to start cutting corners. Valentine’s Day calls for classiness of the highest order, and nothing’s classier than a fancy charcuterie. Join staffers at Outpost 1706 Brew Company (301 Romero Street NW Ste 205) this Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 6pm for a one-of-a-kind Bougie Brie Charcuterie Class. Build your own charcuterie board featuring candy-filled breakable hearts from the Cake Bar Albuquerque. Nothing says lovin’ like finger foods.
Annapurna’s Cooking
Lovers of the vegetarian persuasion can learn how to bring the tasty delights of Albuquerque’s premier vegetarian restaurant home by taking cooking classes at Annapurna’s (5939 Fourth Street NW). This Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9am to noon, join the finest green chefs in the city for a lesson in the art of plant-based Ayurvedic cooking. Then take the lesson home, where you can enjoy a private gourmet meal together.
Herbal Potions
If you and your special someone are looking for an alcohol-free buzz, you can head down to Lost Cultures Tea Bar (1761 Bellamah Ave. NW Ste C) for a class on creating your own love potions. Join herbalist Aleja Grajeda on Feb. 10, for Love & Grief: An Herbal Potions Class. Starting at 1pm, students will learn how to concoct their very own alcohol-free herbal aphrodisiacs as well as remedies for emotional and heart health.
Journey to the Inner Healer
Ready to test your lover’s adventurousness? Take them on a spiritual pilgrimage at Journey to the Inner Healer Feb. 9 through 11. Join certified Holotropic Breathwork facilitators at FUSION (700 First Street NW) and explore the healing potential of non-ordinary states of consciousness to unlock the body’s innate healing powers. Learn to tap into the inner world alongside your partner for a Valentine’s Day they’ll never forget.
Exploring Psychedelics For Mental Health
And if you really want to test their adventurousness, take them on a psychedelic adventure at Exploring Psychedelics For Mental Health, a workshop hosted by integration therapist Liz Diesel at Flowers and Herb Markets cannabis dispensary (119 San Pasquale Ave. SW). Participants can learn about the ins-and-outs of Psychedelic Integration Therapy, a new frontier in mental health treatment involving entheogens like psilocybin mushrooms, LSD and MDMA. It’s even free to attend.