Storm Large
Storm Large will perform two nights of "A Storm Large Valentine" this weekend.
(Renata Kosina)
Ah, Valentine's Day, that annual celebration of spending too much money on a high-pressure dinner date. If true love is your thing and fancy wine bottles are not, consider setting the mood with a night of music instead. Here's a guide to Portland's most romantic Valentine's Day concerts.
A Storm Large Valentine
The iconic Portland singer will perform two shows at the Arlene Schnitzer in honor of St. Valentine's alongside the Oregon Symphony Orchestra. Large promises to spread "the love like hot honey," with a set spanning from standards to her own material.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $35-127.
Mr. Ben's Valentine's Day show for kids
Maybe your idea of a great Valentine's Day is sharing the love with the whole family -- or your sitter is booked already. Either way, Mississippi Pizza has parents covered with a special kids' show from Mr. Ben, a regular performer at the venue. Stick around, grown-ups: Salsanova will turn the pub into a Latin dance party at 9.
Mississippi Pizza, Friday, 5 p.m. $5 at the door.
A Tribute to Romantic Soul
A week before the Portland Jazz Festival kicks off, Jimmy Mak's will play host to a classy evening of soul performances. The catalog will include lovelorn classics from Stevie Wonder, Barry White, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and other greats, performed by the Portland Soul All-Stars: singers LaRhonda Steele, Sean Holmes and Tahirah Memory, with local jazz mainstays Louis Pain, Renato Caranto, Mike Dolin and Micah Kassell backing them up.
Jimmy Mak's, Friday, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 reserved seating, $12 general admission.
Mother Falcon, Radiation City
I've heard Austin's Mother Falcon dubbed the Texas Typhoon thanks to its dozen-plus members and epic orchestral-folk style. The group's stirring music will certainly have you feeling something, even if it's just overwhelmed. They'll be joined by Portland's Radiation City, performing in duo mode.
Mississippi Studios, Friday, 9 p.m. Tickets: $12.
-- David Greenwald