60 Fun Things with Connie Herrera
Valentine’s Day with a Twist
Greetings fellow travellers and local fun-finders. My first blogpost comes in February, the shortest, grayest, and coldest month in Rochester. But there is a holiday halfway through the month that gives us a chance to raise our spirits: St. Valentine’s Day.
While hearts, flowers and chocolates are all wonderful to give and receive on Valentine’s Day, there are other ways to make this day special, fun and a little out-of-the-ordinary. Why not spend a day with friends, loved ones, or make new friends and get creative…
Let your inner artist or kindergartner-with-finger-paints out and chase away the clouds with visions of brightly colored paints at a Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Studio. It’s easy and fun. Just grab one of their smocks and choose what you’d like to paint from a wide assortment of clay pieces, all prepped and ready for your doodles and designs. Sketch your own design or use stencils and ready-made ideas. When you’re finished it goes to the kiln and—viola! —a few days later it’s ready to pick up and take home to display on your mantel. Enjoy a time to relax with your sweetheart, bring the grandkids, or come with a group of friends and be creative together—DIY has never been so much fun.
Here are a few to try:
Color Me Mine, 3349 Monroe Ave., Pittsford and 980 Ridge Road, Webster
Created by Us Pottery, 3 Railroad St. #C, Fairport
Splatters Studio, 93 S. Union Street, Spencerport
If painting with a glass of wine in hand sounds good, discover your hidden Matisse or Picasso at Painting with a Twist in Henrietta, Fairport, and Webster. Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage, and paint along with their artist to create your own painting—or share a canvas with your sweetheart and see what happens. February 14, 2017 is “Date Night” where they’ll be painting Love Trees at Night. But there are many other sessions in February to sip, paint and relax. They provide all painting supplies and artist instructions. No art experience is needed. Just be ready to have a good time! Two- and three-hour classes are offered. Check out their websites for details: paintingwithatwist.com
If you’re feeling creative, but not particularly artistic, there are lots of other creative ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day in Rochester. Polish up your ballroom dancing and salsa skills at Let’s Dance Rochester, Inikori Dance Studio, Arthur Murray Dance Studios, or Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Learn something new in a one-time class at the Rochester Brainery and OASIS. Or play a competitive game of golf at AVID indoor Golf and Fitness, Rochester Indoor Golf Center, or Champions Golf Center.
Whatever you decide to try, it won’t be the same old Valentine’s Day!
Connie Herrera is the author of 60 Fun Things to Do Within 60 Miles of Rochester and 60 Great Places to Go With Kids Within 60 Miles of Rochester, as well as travel guides for Buffalo, East Aurora, and Palm Springs, CA. “My goal is to help people rediscover where they live and see it with new eyes. So, if you’re new to the area, I want you to be astounded at your luck in moving here. If you’re here for a visit, I hope you’ll want to come back again to do more. And, if you’ve lived here all your life, I hope you’ll be surprised at how many places you haven’t yet explored and how many you want to visit again!” You can find out more at my website: 60funthingstodo