WED 2/8
Palette vs. palate
Art History 101 didn’t cover this creative chapter, but we’re drooling for a peek at the study guide. Wear your best smock-frock to The Art of Chocolate III, and sample sweet treats from 10 top pastry chefs, including Custom House’s Elissa Narow. More than 40 wines add a blush to the earthy color scheme. With an auction and raffle. 6 p.m. $36. Proceeds benefit Youth Outreach Services. Bin 36, 339 N. Dearborn St. 312-755-9463.
Go undercovers
Since James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces” got under our skin, we’ve been snubbing bars in favor of bedtime book cuddling. But let’s be honest: Cold nights warrant serious sizzle, so we’ll ditch the robe and slippers for a more populated nest. Hear authors Jonathan Ames, Lynn Harris and Neal Pollack read erotic passages as part of Hot & Bothered: An Evening in Bed, presented by Nextbook. Music by Stuart Rosenberg. 7 p.m. $6-$8. Tickets: nextbook.org. Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St. 888-621-2230.
Take aim
Despite your weekly dose of dating tips from The Sweet Spotters (see Page 33), you still can’t graduate from the “sweet slackers” category. With less than a week to go before Cupid flashes his dimpled backside, get those wings flapping to Aldente Cafe & Lounge for a Cupid Party. Meet singles ages 25-35 for eight-minute dates, nosh appetizers and warm up your flirt muscle with $5 martinis. 7 p.m. $35. Registration required: 8minutedating.com. 1615 N. Clybourn Ave.
THU 2/9
Danger: Singles Xing
Prefer strolling to speeding when it comes to chatting up singles? At Flirting for Disaster, display your gift of gab while eating appetizers; the first 50 to arrive score a free drink. Hey, it’s for a good cause (no, not the Find Me a Date Pronto fund). 5 p.m. $20-$25. Proceeds benefit American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. Landmark, 1633 N. Halsted St. 312-729-6195.
Art attack
Think pink hearts and fluffy bunnies are about as appealing as a Pepto-Bismol smoothie? Throw the corny trinkets in the blender and frappe your way to the Around the Coyote Winter Arts Festival Opening Night Bash. Be among the first to spy artist-in-residence Lacey Pipher’s site-specific installation and more, bid on “best of the fest” works, groove to DJs SO&SO and BB, sip free drinks, and munch Las Palmas eats. 8 p.m. Fest continues through Sunday. $20. Proceeds benefit Around the Coyote’s art education efforts. Flat Iron Arts Building, north entrance, 19351 1/42 W. North Ave. 773-342-6777.
FRI 2/10
Cast your spell
February’s call to arm yourself with chocolate and wine has you reaching for heart-shaped earplugs? For a respite from the candy-coated cacophony, soothe your ears with Ebony Joy’s new musical, “Nina Simone: The High Priestess of Soul.” The show pays tribute to the late, great singer/composer. 8 p.m. Previews through Feb. 18. Opens Feb. 19. See metromix.com for schedule. $30-$35. Black Ensemble Theater, 4520 N. Beacon St. 312-902-1500.
———-
rkpalmore@tribune.com
