TODAY’s picks for Valentine’s Day Weekend

SINGAPORE — Valentine’s Day is upon us again. But if you’re feeling that the usual “let’s go to dinner” routine is running a little tired, then perhaps you might want to consider coupling that with other offerings, be it a movie, a concert, an arts performance or any other opportunity to just hang out together.

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MOVIES

DEADPOOL. This superhero film may not seem like a Valentine’s Day movie on the outset, what with its M18 rating for violence and sexual scenes. Also, like the comic book series of the same name, it’s funny, irreverent and full of blood and guts. But deep down, Deadpool really is about love. More specifically, it’s about a man who’s dying of cancer (Ryan Reynolds) who agrees to undergo a drastic experiment just so that he can spend more time with his “best girl” (the lovely Morena Baccarin). Needless to say, the experiment doesn’t just cure him, it transforms him in more ways than one, giving him super strength, quick reflexes and the ability to heal himself quickly a la Wolverine. Deadpool doesn’t quite want to be a superhero but as he quips in the trailer, “when you find out that your worst enemy is after your best girl, the time has come to be a f***ing superhero”. Well, the course of true love never did run smooth. Deadpool is showing in cinemas now.

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WORK IT, BABY

GET FIT AS A COUPLE. A couple that plays together, stays together. They can also get fit together. Tawfiq Chong, the fitness team leader at Fitness First at Paragon, has kindly put together some exercise routines that you and you partner can enjoy, such as the Partner Hi 5 Claps. It’s easy: All you have to do its sit facing each other in a sit-up position, interlocking your legs together. Next, both of you perform a sit up at the same time with both hands extended and give your partner a high five each time you perform a sit up. (For beginners or individuals with lower back problems to start the exercise without the “hi 5 claps” — instead use your hands to touch the bent knees.)

Fitness First is also having a one-for-one promotion for its latest proprietary fitness assessment BioScore — a health and fitness assessment. Couples can make use of the offer as a starting point to motivate each other to lead healthier and fitter lives. The promotion runs until April 10. For more information, visit: http://www.fitnessfirst.com.sg/bioscore.

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MUSIC

MAKE A DATE WITH STARS. Not just any stars, mind you. We’re talking about the Canadian band that formed 14 years ago and have always garnered rave reviews whenever they perform here. This year, their concert is on Valentine’s Day and we’re guessing there’s no better way for you and your date to enjoy some great music together and have a fun time. It also helps that Stars also has members who are in love with each other, too: Singer Amy Millan and bassist Evan Cranley, who are proud parents too.

There’s no doubting that the band certainly loves their fans here. “We have never had a reception in the entire world as we’ve had in Singapore,” Millan told us about their first show here.

We’re betting that this show, like their previous shows here, will be pretty good, too. Stars performs at Victoria Theatre tomorrow, 8.30pm. Tickets at S$78 and S$98 from Peatix (http://stars.peatix.com)

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ARTS

GET ROBO-DANCING AT HUAYI 2016. The Esplanade’s annual Huayi — Festival Of Arts has just kicked off and you’ve got a few shows to choose from for your Valentine’s Day weekend. Music lovers can opt for tonight’s concert of songs by Singapore songwriter Chen Jiaming, as performed by the likes of Olivia Ong and Jocie Guo, among others, or a show by Chinese fusion singer Gong Linna on V-Day itself. There’s also acclaimed Taiwanese drumming group U-Theatre who’ll be performing over the weekend in a show that mixes rhythms with flowing dance moves. But there’s one quirky show that will certainly get the conversation flowing between you and your date post-show: Huang Yi & KUKA, which is on this afternoon and tonight. It is a dance show featuring robots. Yes, expect duets between live dancers and a robot named KUKA — and a big boost for your ego. If a robot can impress with its moves, surely you can do better. All Huayi shows are held at the Esplanade. For more details, visit http:// www.esplanade.com/huayi.

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FOOD

DINING WITH A DIFFERENCE. Our pick is a four-course Valentine’s Day lunch (S$98 per person, only available tomorrow) at Corner House (Tel: 6469 1000, pictured), located in a historic black and white bungalow at the heart of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Not only is the food good, but Chef Jason Tan also has a penchant for choosing some interesting ingredients for his dishes. This menu, for instance, starts with Norwegian red king crab with mussel and caviar, followed by a rare serving of Patagonian toothfish paired with smoked bacon and kelp. The star, though, is the main of M4 Australian Wagyu beef, served with Cevennes onion, beurre noisette and black truffles. After that, you can take a leisurely stroll with your loved one and enjoy the greenery of Singapore’s first UNESCO Heritage Site.

Then there’s Nox-Dine In The Dark’s Valentine’s offering. Okay, it’s not like we’re saying you shouldn’t gaze lovingly into the eyes of your significant other over dinner, but if you’re looking for a dinner date with a difference, then this certainly is it. The exclusive three-course mystery Valentine’s Day menu consists of 12 different dishes crafted from the finest ingredients by the head chef and his team. A vegetarian and/or vegan menu is available upon request. The catch, of course, is that you can’t see anything once you step into the dining room. You can only rely on your other senses. (And you’ll only find out what you ate after you return to the lounge for some petit fours.) Call 6298 0708 or drop an email to enquiries [at] noxdineinthedark.com.