Valentine’s Day may be a cheesy (and sometimes depressing) Hallmark holiday, but whether you’re single or taken, it can still be a great excuse to put down your homework and get out of the house. With the mild weather hopefully continuing all week and with the extra day off, there’s no reason not to. Here’s a list of Valentine’s Day-themed events going on throughout the week on campus and across the city.

So you want to find a date for Saturday—but your best pick-up lines involve World of Warcraft and Lord of the Rings? Be sure to attend Flirting for Nerds, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. on the third floor of Ida Noyes. Learn some handy tips that don’t involve cheesy pick-up lines and will be sure to help you get that special someone.

On Thursday, the Smart Museum hosts Color Your Love: Valentine Crafts with SMAC from noon to 4 p.m. Stop by with friends or your significant other and make glittery construction-paper valentines to your heart’s content.

For any college student strapped for cash, Valentine’s Day can be a stressful time to find a cheap yet fun and romantic activity for you and your sweetheart. Luckily, the Organization of Black Students is holding the Valentine’s Skate Jam at the Midway Skating Rink on Friday from 9 to 11 p.m. The event (including skate rentals) is free, and they’re serving up Krispy Kreme donuts and hot chocolate.

If dancing is more your style, the Chicago Swing Dance Society is holding its free Funny Valentine’s Ball on Friday from 9 p.m. to midnight at the Shoreland Ballroom. For those of you who aren’t Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, come an hour earlier to get a free lesson.

This Saturday, celebrate both the romantic and raunchy sides of Valentine’s Day at the Music Box Theatre (3733 North Southport Avenue) with a special matinee showing of the classic love story Casablanca at 11:30 a.m. and the risqué Belles and Whistles: A Valentine’s Burlesque Revue at 11:30 p.m.

Rockefeller Chapel will be hosting Labors of Love on February 14th from 8 to 9 p.m. Accompanied by instrumentalists, the University Chorus will sing Mozart’s C-Minor Mass. If the beautiful music doesn’t set your heart a-flutter, hopefully the church’s lavish, mysterious interior will do the job.

For traditional romantics planning roses and an expensive dinner for Valentine’s Day, be sure to check out Latin American eatery Carnivale (702 West Fulton Avenue). Delicacies such as half-shell oysters are being specially prepared for the day, but more importantly, men and women on stilts, presumably in keeping with the restaurant’s theme, will walk between tables handing out flowers.

Renowned Portuguese songstress Mariza will be at the Chicago Symphony Center Saturday at 8 p.m. Specializing in the traditional fado musical style, her mournful and emotional songs are the perfect companion for lovesick or heartbroken souls. For added effect, try to smuggle in Kleenex and a box of chocolates or a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.