Opening: Lovecore

Getting you ready for Valentine's Day, "Lovecore" is Fluxcore's multi-media art event exploring modern love stories through the work of the local artist community. Tonight's opening reception starts at 8pm at the Peter Jones Gallery, 1806 W. Cuyler. Suggested donation is $5 at the door. The show runs through March 10. Call 773-472-6725 for more information.

Love's Labours Lost @ Newberry Library

The Shakespeare Project puts on a free production of the bard's Love's Labours Lost at the Newberry Library. The prologue by Dorian Hadley starts at 9:45am and the show goes on at 10:00am. Ah...just in time for Valentine's Day. The Newberry Library is located at 60 W. Walton St. Call 312-255-3700 for more information.

For the Love of Chocolate

The South Shore Cultural Center is doing a wonderful thing -- transforming their digs into a Willy Wonka-style chocolate house that will surely bring the sweet-lovers among us to our knees. From 7-10pm, there will be chocolate body art, chocolate sculptures and even a "Cocoa Sutra" room. (Though, one would hope that would bear no resemblance to R. Kelly's "Chocolate Factory." I'm just sayin'.) For the Love of Chocolate benefits Abigail Wodrich, a one-year-old patient in need of a kidney transplant at Chicago Children's Memorial Hospital. Tickets are $45 per person and include food, beer and wine, live music, a silent auction and, of course, chocolate. Call Lisa Wodrich at 219-921-0088 for tickets. 7059 S. Shore Dr.

Dreamdaze @ Corduroys Espresso Spot

Previously featured Transmission artist, and electonic musician Dreamdaze performs at Corduroys Espresso Spot in Chicago on Saturday February 11 at 7 PM along with Divide by Pi and 1 TBA.

2nd Annual Art of Connection symposium @ Art Inst of Chicago

The Department of Art Therapy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago proudly presents the 2nd Annual Art of Connection symposium, today from 9:30am to 5pm in Gallery 2 of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 847 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago.

This symposium is in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Art of Connection exhibit featuring artwork created by Master of Arts in Art Therapy students at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and clients from their internship sites. The exhibit is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1-6pm; Sunday, February 12 and Saturday, February 18, 2006, 10am-4pm. The Art of Connection exhibition is free and open to the public.

Around the Coyote Winter Arts Festival

Wicker Park's Around the Coyote Arts Festival features hundreds of painters, photographers, actors, poets, filmmakers and more in a neighborhood-wide art exhibition. Walk from building to building as each hosts a different gallery and a different set of artists (click here for a list of artists). Check out the full schedule of events or get your $5 day pass and browse the galleries at your leisure. All-Access tickets can also be purchased for $40 by calling 773-342-6777.

Handmade Market

Erica Coslor, aka DJ Plastique, helps make the local indie designer market grow by creating the monthly Handmade Market. It's going to be at the Empty Bottle today from 12-5pm. It's free to get in. Come shop, drink bloody marys, and listen to some great tunes while meeting 25 of the best hip, new designers in the city.

Demetri Martin @ Lakeshore Theater

Not only does Demetri Martin have a great half hour episode on Comedy Central's stand-up series, he's also been featured in Bust and has spent some time with The Daily Show. In "These Are Jokes," Martin tells joke, shows some of his drawings, and plays music. If you've ever seen him on TV, you know this is a show worth going to. 8pm on Friday and 7pm and 9pm on Saturday. Tickets are $20 each at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway. Call 773-472-3492 for more information.

Vegetarian Valentine's Fundraiser

Mercy for Animals is holding a Vegetarian Valentine's Fundraiser at Framing Mode, a south loop art gallery. There'll be catered food, spirits (all-you-can-drink!), a DJ and "Best Dressed in Red" wins some fab prizes.

Email Chicago@mercyforanimals.org with questions.

$10 in advance (by making a $10 donation to get on the guest list at
www.MercyForAnimals.org), or $15 at the door.

Where: Framing Mode
1526 S. Wabash
Chicago, IL 60605
(Red line- Roosevelt stop)
When: 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Watch Six Nations Rugby Tournament

The Six Nations is Europe's premier Rugby Union tournament, featuring matches between England, Ireland, France, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. Enjoy a great Irish breakfast, $4 Heineken and Amstel during games, and giveaways. Johnny O'Hagan's is located at 3374 N. Clark St. (773) 248-3600. Today: Saturday, February 11, at 7:30 am see France vs. Ireland, then at 10 am see Italy vs. England start the second round of tournament play. Every weekend until March 19th, you can roll out of bed and see some rugby from "across the pond". No hooligans.

Garfield Park Chocolate Fest

Hop on the Green Line and eat yourself some chocolate this weekend. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy a bevy of chocolate-related events at the Garfield Park Conservtory. In addition to 250,000 pieces of FREE chocolate, there will be a chocolate spa, kids activities, chef demonstrations and tastings. Suggested donation is only a buck, but bring more cash, because there are plenty of yummies for purchase.

Free Wine Tasting @ In Fine Spirits

Here's a cheap date: take your sweetie to Andersonville wine shop In Fine Spirits for their free Argentinian wine tasting today, then slosh home, pop in a DVD, and do what the mood (and alcohol) dictates. Tastings run from 3-6pm. In Fine Spirits is located at 5418 N. Clark Street, call them up at (773) 506-WINE.