Cheap Date: Sappy Movies, Four-Legged Friends and a Nude Parade

Ahh, Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re more of a dozen-roses-and-a-reservation-at-an-expensive-restaurant type or a can’t-wait-til-the-next-day-when-all-the-candy-is-on-sale kind of guy or gal, it’s one of those holidays that’s pretty tough to avoid. So why fight it?

Actually, if you’re in that first category I mentioned, you can stop reading right now. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, and I do hope they are plentiful. For the rest of us: There are plenty of ways to see some action this V-Day, and they don’t all involve dropping piles of your own hard-earned dough.

For example: According to CBS, well-known nude activist Gypsy Taub is planning (what else?) a “Valentine’s Day Nude Love Parade” on Saturday, Feb. 13. The event, for which Taub says she’s received an official city permit, will begin at noon at Jane Warner Plaza in the city’s Castro District; organizers plan to march to City Hall and back. And whaddya know? It’s free! There’s more info on mynakedtruth.tv, which — shocking, I know — is a website that I must warn you contains nudity.

Not exactly your bag? Here’s a handful of other options for getting out and about this week that are all $20 or less — it’s this week’s Cheap Date. 

Friday, Feb. 12: ‘Let’s Dance: A David Bowie Tribute Party,’ with Queen Bitch, Whiskerman, Dangermaker, and Kendra McKinley. What’s that? You’re tired of Bowie tributes? You shut your face. The man was a supernova, and it’s barely been a month. Plus, this one has some of the best local talent the Bay has to offer — the chance to see Whiskerman, in particular, is one you should always take. $10; details here.

https://soundcloud.com/whiskerman/02-jackie-delilah

Sunday, Feb. 14: SF IndieFest’s Anti-Valentine’s Day Mass Karaoke Party at the Roxie, SF. Do some vocal warmups and brush up on your best power ballads — this evening kicks off with a performance by sketch comedy troupe The Mess, followed by a group sing-along to all the Journey, Bon Jovi, Guns ‘n’ Roses your ears (and throat) can handle. $12; details here.

Sunday, Feb. 14: Valentine’s Bash With Pookie & the Poodlez and the Younger Lovers at Hemlock Tavern, SF. A double-bill not to miss: the hard-rocking, gleefully freaky garage-pop of Oakland’s Trevor Straub (Pookie & the Poodlez) plus the sweaty, pogo-friendly punk of Brontez Purnell (and his Younger Lovers) equals one of the most stupid-fun Valentine’s dates a local music fan could ask for. $5; details here.

Sunday, Feb. 14: V-Day Schlockfest at the New Parkway, Oakland. Okay, so I just made up that name, but can you blame me? The New Parkway theater went all soft on us this year, offering up My Fair Lady, Titanic, and that quintessential Nicholas Sparks-Ryan Gosling masterpiece The Notebook all in one day. Dinner and dessert options are included with your ticket; be sure to bring someone who doesn’t mind multitasking (AKA eating pizza, drinking beer, and canoodling on a couch all at the same time). $8; details here.

Sunday, Feb. 14: Wonder Dog Rescue’s ‘Luck of the Draw’ Fundraiser at Alley Cat Books, SF. Is your Valentine of the four-legged variety? Bring him or her to this dog-friendly art auction and fundraiser, where the price of admission gets you sweets, wine, live music, Lindy Hop lessons, and the chance to bid on original artwork, all to support a local animal adoption agency. What’s not to like? $20; details here.