Avoid A Broken Heart On Valentine S Day With These Romantic Events

          Sure, Valentine’s Day often means drowning in candy hearts and teddy bears, but not all celebrations of love need to be so saccharine. This year the city has some more savory romantic offerings like a boozy brunch, lady arm wrestlers, and embarrassing entries from teenage diaries. 

Heart and Soul Valentine’s Day Brunch Kick off Valentine’s Day with a boozy brunch date at Logan Square’s Parts and Labor. The bar will be offering a full brunch menu and $5 “bleeding heart” pom-mosas, and there’s a live DJ set from the Windy City Soul Club. Sun 2/14, Parts and Labor, 2700 N. Milwaukee, 773-360-7840, partsandlaborchicago.com.

Valentine Shmalentine Mortified presents Valentine Shmalentine, which features everyday people reading the most pathetic and embarrassing passages from their teenage diaries. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Night Ministry, a Chicago-based housing organization. Sat 2/13, 6:30 PM, Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse, 773-381-4554, maynestage.com, $25.