Share the love with family and friends in Lake County the weekend before Valentine’s Day. Options include daddy/daughter dances in several towns, a valentine’s breakfast for veterans in Great Lakes and a murder mystery dinner for couples to solve in Round Lake Beach.
Reservations are recommended for most events, including the new Sunday brunch at the Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee. The restaurant just started doing Sunday brunches for Mother’s Day and it went really well, said Karen Osborne, a chocolatier, so they’ve expanded it to every Sunday, and expect the Sunday before Valentine’s Day to be crowded.
The brunch includes fresh pastries, a meat-carving station, made to order omelets, potatoes, pulled pork, freshly squeezed orange juice, and chef specialties such as cocoa candy bacon and waffle pops, which Osborne said is one of her favorites.
For the pops, “the chef puts bacon on a stick and cooks waffle batter with the bacon and then decorates it with flavors such as turtle, key lime pie and s’mores,” she said.
Here are some sweet and imaginative ways to spend time with your special valentines in Lake County.
Antioch
As You Like It
8 p.m., Feb. 10 and 11, 2:30 p.m., Feb. 12
PM&L Theatre, 877 N. Main St, Antioch
Tickets: $13-$15
Information: 847-395-3055; www.pmltheatre.com
Shakespeare’s 400-year-old comic tale of a woman impersonating a man is adapted for a modern audience. The show closes Feb. 12.
Great Lakes
Valentines for Veterans Breakfast
8 a.m.-1 p.m., Feb. 11
Great Lakes Community Center, 2007 Virginia Ave., Great Lakes
Tickets: $10-$15
Information: 847-282-0374; www.lakecountyhonorflight.org/About-Us1.html
Spend time with veterans at a breakfast designed for them. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. A silent auction is also planned. Purchase tickets by Feb. 8.
Gurnee
Enchanted Evening
4-5:45 p.m. or 6:30-6:30 p.m., Feb. 11
Viking Park Community Center, 4374 Old Grand Ave.
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Tickets: $12-$15
Information: 847-623-7788; www.gurneeparkdistrict.com
Children ages 2-12 can come with an adult to dance and dine as well as meet Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and other enchanting guests. Participants should dress in fancy clothes, and a photo booth for the family will be available. Register before Feb. 8.
Sunday Brunch
10 a.m.-2p.m., Feb. 12
The Chocolate Sanctuary, 5101 Washington St.
Tickets:$22 for adults; $8 for children
Information: 224-944-0808; www.thechocolatesanctuary.com
Treat your valentine to a Sunday brunch featuring a meat-carving station, make-your-own omelets, ceviche, waffle pops and plenty of chocolate-infused fresh-baked pastries.
Libertyville
Ron Hawking’s Valentine’s Day Show
7 p.m., Feb. 11
Austin’s Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road
Tickets : $35-$50
Information: 847- 549-1972; www.fuelroom.com
Chicago entertainer Ron Hawking has been said to deliver a performance that truly comes from his heart. Hawking is best known for his homage to Frank Sinatra, which played from 1998 to 2006 in the Midwest.
Sweets for Sweetie
10 a.m.-1 p.m., Feb. 11
Magnolia Cafe at Lambs Farm, 14245 Rockland Road
Tickets: $1.50 and up
Information: 847-362-4636; www.lambsfarm.org
The cafe will be transformed into a boutique with Valentine’s Day gifts youngsters can select for their friends and family. Youngsters also can decorate cookies and other sweets as well as create cards.
Mundelein
The Enchanted Princess Ball Dad & Daughter Dance
6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 11
Regent Center, 1200 Regent Drive
Tickets: $18-$20 couple; $12-$16 additional siblings
Information: 847-566-0650
Girls ages 5-10 can come with their dad or other love done and dance to the theme, “The Enchanted Princess.” under sparkling lights, Sweets and pastries as well as a keepsake professional photo are included. Register by Feb. 4.
Valentine Holiday Open House: Make Your Own Heart
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Feb. 10,11,12
Peter Patterson Glassworks, 888 Tower Road Suite E
Tickets: $25-$50
Information: 847- 949-0013; www.pattersonglass.com
Patrons can get help firing up their own glass heart during this annual open house. Take home a hand-made heart to a loved one. No reservations required. Large groups should call to arrange a special time.
Round Lake Beach
Love You to Death: A Valentine’s Murder Mystery Dinner
7 p.m., Feb. 11
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Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way
Tickets: $50
Information: 847-201-9032; www.rlbciviccenter.com/2-11-love-you-to-death.html
There might be love in the air but there also will be a death in the room during this all inclusive night of an Italian dinner, champagne toast and interactive murder mystery. Cash bar is available.
Vernon Hills
Just The Two of Us Daddy/Daughter Dance
6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 10
Sullivan Community Center, 635 Aspen Dr.
Tickets: $20-$25 per couple; $10-$12 additional child
Information: 847-996-6800; www.vhparkdistrict.org
Girls ages 3-11 can spend time with their dads or other special dates dancing to music played by a DJ. Also included is an ice cream bar and special gifts for the young ladies.
Waukegan
Jazz Wave
6-8 p.m., Feb. 12
Three Brothers Theatre, 115 N. Genesee St.
Tickets: Free
Information: 224- 419-4325; www.facebook.com/pages/Jazz-Wave-Big-Band/230269417017348
Jazz Wave, a 17-piece instrumental ensemble, rehearses at the theatre, and offers free bi-monthly performances of big band and other music. Refreshments are provided. Audience can bring treats – maybe some chocolate or other Valentine’s Day-related goodie– to share during the break.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.