Valentine’s Day ideas: 6 nights out for culture lovers

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

If you haven’t made plans for Valentine’s Day and you consider yourself the classy type who won’t resort to buying a six-pack of Bud and some 7-Eleven roses for your loved one, fear not -– choices still abound in the arts, performance, film and music world. Here are some suggestions for love with a degree of culture:

‘Dirty Looks: Long Distance Love Affairs’

This New York-based roaming screening series plays matchmaker with East Coast and California-based queer experimental filmmakers currently working and the recent past. Featuring works by Cecilia Dogherty, Deanna Erdmann, Rhys Ernst, Glen Fogel, Mariah Garnett, Jonesy, Dani Leventhal, Charles Ludham, Narcissister, Luther Price and Michael Robinson. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. hammer.ucla.edu. 8 p.m. Tuesday. Free.

‘Cyrano de Bergerac’

On the Knightsbridge Theatre’s production poster for this classic play, there’s a cheeky tagline: “He’s famous for his long… sword.” Oh, my! Actually, in Edmond Rostand’s play, Cyrano suffers for his grotesque nose but we recommend you make as many puns and double-entendres as your significant other can stand. Knightsbridge Theater, 1944 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 667-0955. 8 p.m. Tuesday through March 18. $18-$20.

‘Two Pianos, Four Hands’

Racy title, we know, but that’s how Pasadena Symphony is selling its Live at Noor, a night of piano music in the sleek digs of Noor Restaurant. Hosts Yana Reznik and Esther Keel will tickle the ivorys and chat elegantly, all the while treating the audience to selections from Brahms, Bearber, Chopin and a closing sensual tango by Piazzola. Noor Restaurant, 260 E. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. pasadenasymphony-pops.org.

‘Anna David’s True Tales of Lust and Love’ Novelist and memoirist Anna David hosts this all-female night of readings and performances of stories from love lives gone wrong -- flame-out dates, awkward encounters and broken hearts. With local actresses Claire Titelman, Melinda Hill, Amy Dresner and others. The Mint, 6010 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Saturday. $8. themintla.com.

‘100 Most Outrageous’ sex scenes

Why not cut straight to the chase? So says Cinefamily Silent Movie Theater with its collection of 100 sex scenes clipped out of movies of all stripes and sewn together to make one lusty quilt of film/video love. The screening is so hotly anticipated that the original Valentine’s Day showing has sold out and a repeat performance is scheduled for Feb. 24. Cinefamily, 611 N. Fairfax Ave. 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and 10:15 p.m. Feb. 24, cinefamily.org. $12.

‘Low Double Standards: An Entitlement Program’

The transgendered Justin Vivian Bond has coined a new prefix, Mx., that’s somewhere between Mr. and Ms. or totally outside of either one, depending on how you look at it. In Mx. Bond’s cabaret show, the artist sings original tunes from the critically celebrated debut, ‘Dendrophile,’ as well as covers from favorites such as Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell and LCD Soundsystem. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St. 8:30 p.m. Fri-Sat. 7 p.m. Sun. redcat.org. $25.

ALSO:

Art review: ‘The History of Bruce’ at Stephen Cohen Gallery

Grammy Awards 2012: Gustavo Dudamel, L.A. Philharmonic win

Opera review: Placido Domingo in L.A. Opera’s ‘Simon Boccanegra’

-- Margaret Wappler