Valentine's Day Celebrants Can Enjoy Music, Then Dance

There are many ways to observe and celebrate Valentine's Day this year, including a romantic concert the night before and romantic big band dancing on the day of. Illinois State University's School of Music is offering both options.

The Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Glenn Block, will present its seventh annual Music for Lovers and Other Strangers at 8 p.m. in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall on Friday, Feb. 13. Admission is $6 for the general public, $5 for faculty and staff and $4 for students and senior citizens.

Voice faculty members will perform Broadway and opera selections and the orchestra will perform a suite from "Phantom of the Opera," a suite from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" and close with Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet."

On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, local dancers can cha-cha-cha, waltz, rumba, swing, salsa and ballroom dance at the annual Illinois State University Jazz Ensembles Valentine's Big Band Dance at The New Lafayette Club in Bloomington. The jazz ensembles are directed by Tom Marko.

The annual event features the big band music of the 1930s and '40s along with other ballroom dance styles. The doors will open at 1602 S. Main Street at 6:45 p.m. and the dance will last from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $15 per couple, with proceeds helping support the jazz band program at Illinois State. A cash bar will be available.

Patrons are asked to not wear jeans or t-shirts.