Love In A Time Of Camstress
By Ruby Cline
Valentine’s is one of my favourite celebrations of the year. No way! I hear you exclaim. The girl who runs an entire column all about love quite likes a holiday that focuses entirely on it?
Your scathing attitude towards my enjoyment aside, whether you’re loved up or bummed out, this week can be a fun and exciting way to celebrate love and relationships – romantic, platonic, or anything in between (I see you, situationships who aren’t sure whether to write a card).
You may not be in the mood for a candlelit dinner, or don’t have the time nor budget to get creative with galentine’s invites. Don’t worry! I have kindly collected together pretty much everything you and your date (or your mates) can get up to this week. Happy Valentine’s!
Music is the food of love
Fitz Swing is requesting your presence in the Fitz auditorium for an evening of love ballads on the 13th. What could be better to get you in the mood for a bit of romance?
Fitz Swing Valentines Concert | Facebook
Aptly named, Cheap Date is playing this week at The Portland Arms. Get your rock, and maybe some eyeliner on, and get ready for your potential magical meet-cute!
Cheap Date + Manilla Times (17th Feb 23) – The Portland Arms
Too conventional for you? If you’re looking for a slightly different tune, try Ház at 2648 – rave your way through this cheesy week.
Found Sounds presents: Ház | Facebook
Go big but don’t go home
Maybe the only thing you’ve been thinking about since halfway through week one is getting out of this place. If so, perhaps you could treat yourself to an evening of candlelit classical music in Ely Cathedral. A staycation, if you will. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/valentines-vivaldi-by-candlelight-tickets-321654165267?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Too straight for you?
Queer Get Down at MASH is having its own Valentine’s edition on Monday!
The Queer Get Down | Mash | Nightclub | Cambridge (mashcambridge.com)
On the day itself, Newnham Femsoc is collaborating with the SU to host an anti-cisheteronormativity party in the Iris.
Anti-Cisheteronormativity Party | Facebook
“Whether you’re loved up or bummed out, this week can be a fun and exciting way to celebrate love and relationships”
The show must go on
Take part in the V-day movement and reclaim Valentine’s day. What if V-day stood for Vagina and not Valentine’s? This Vagina day and this Vagina day only, watch a performance of the Vagina Monologues at Clare Cellars. Feel great about yourself because all the money goes to charity.
‘The Vagina Monologues’ V-Day Charity Production Tickets, Tue 14 Feb 2023 at 20:15 | Eventbrite
And check out our interview with the directors here
In conversation with the directors of The Vagina Monologues – Cambridge Girl Talk
Take your special someone for a light show and some equally light beers at the Botanic Gardens this week, and take a look at the glasshouses after dark. This one’s a bit spenny but includes two drinks – a treat yourself moment perhaps?
Botanic Nights – lights, lasers and craft beer! SOLD OUT – Cambridge Botanic Garden
If you’re less of a beer gal and more of an espresso–and–pretension kind of consumer, take yourself to Picturehouse to watch a one night only return of Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave, complete with a new recorded Q&A.
Film Information | Picturehouse Cinemas (picturehouses.com)
Picturehouse is also showing a few tales of love, of course – Casablanca, Harold and Maude, and True Romance are all making their way to your screens!
Arts Picturehouse Cambridge | Cambridge Cinema | Picturehouse (picturehouses.com)
Get competitive
If you’re not feeling like a winner this valentine’s, there’s one easy way to fix that! Brush up on your pub quiz skills for this quiz at The Corner House, done entirely through silent disco headphones.
And if you’re single…
(and over 23) try Hidden Rooms Valentine’s Speed Dating! Wouldn’t it be cute to have a first-date anniversary on February 14th? https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cambridge-valentines-speed-dating-ages-24-38-tickets-483232039037?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Love in a time of Camstress is a biweekly Girl Talk column, written by Ruby Cline and contributed to by lovers across Cambridge.
Feature image credits: kasiorka_na_flickrze via flickr
Cambridge Girl Talk 