It’s all about Love this week at the Workhorse, and we’ll be whispering sweet nothings to anyone prepared to listen! Yes, it’s the time of year created by florists, chocolatiers and card makers, but if you’re looking for something slightly more exciting for your loved one, there’s a few tips of what to do or see below…

Art –Alice Maher‘s show at IMMA (Earlsfort Terrace) is really impressive (until Feb 27th). Kathy Moran’s exhibition starts at the Douglas Hyde (until March 28th), along with Andrew Vickery (above) in Gallery 2. Stepping Into the Light (Group show including Pat Scott until 24th Feb) continues at the Hugh Lane. Blackshaw at 80 (A complete legend in my book!) and Justin Larkin Scenery continue at the RHA until Feb 24th. There’s also a Richter and Polka exhibition, that has to be seen! The sketchbooks of Jack B Yeats are at the National Gallery until May. Edgar Martins is at the Gallery of Photography starts on Feb 14th.

Private Galleries: Bono’s mate Gugi is at the Kerlin (until the 23rd Feb). Jessica Sturgess (Sculptor)  is at the Oliver Sears until 28th Feb. The Black Church Print Studio show Kate Warner is at the Cross Gallery (until March 9th). The Kevin Kavanagh Gallery is showing Elaine Byrne. Janus is at the Peppercanister Gallery.

Theatre – Bedroom Farce starts at the Gate (perfect or what?). It’s the last night of previews for King Lear (it starts for real tomorrow!) at the Abbey Theatre. Morning and Afternoon starts at the Project Arts Centre with two tickets for the price of one on Valentine’s night! There’s a collection of plays with short runs at Smock Alley with Let me Be (12th – 13th), Tomorrow I will die happy (14th -16th) and The Crucible (15th – 17th) Talk Radio is at the New Theatre until the 16th and Sucking Dublin runs form the 18th – 23rd.

Movies –  Amour is running at the Lighthouse, it’s a love story… kinda! The Genius of Hitchcock part three continues at the IFI with Saboteur and Notorious! A Kurt Russell classic (one of the many) Big Trouble in Little China is at the Sugar Club on the 12th.

Gigs – Purple Reign: A Purple Appreciation sounds a fantasic idea at the Sugar Club! Calexico are there for the night of Loving, with the Dodos in support. Local Natives and Block Party also sound more than a bit interesting. Southern Tenant Folk Union are also worth a visit in Whelans on Friday.

Local Natives – Whelans – 11/02/13

Bloc Party – Olympia – 12-13/02/13

Calexico – Olympia – 14/02/13

Ute Lemper – NCH – 14/02/13

Pugwash – Woodstock Cafe – 14/02/13

Eddi Reader – Pavilion Dunlaoghaire – 14/02/13

Ocean Colour Scene – Academy – 15-17/02/13

Southern Tenant Folk Union  – Upstairs at Whelans – 15/02/13

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry – Button Factory – 16/02/13

The Lumineers – Olympia – 16/02/13

Damien Dempsey – Axis Ballymun – 16/02/13

Justin Bieber – O2 – 17/02/13

Concorde: Up Close With Music – RHA – 17/02/13