Wed. Feb. 14

 Is it ever too early to start planning for your Valentine's Day? It's one of those days to relish or dread, isn't it? If you're not coupled, you're in despair. No one loves you or ever will. If you are coupled, you're looking for the best possible thing you could do. And what if you fall short? Oh, the pressure. Here's one where you cannot go wrong: Drop $160 (that's for both of you!) at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for "A Venetian Valentine." You get: Live jazz in the flowering courtyard and cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the cloisters. And, all that art. It's truly a romantic, sophisticated and inspiring setting. And did we mention ... your admission also gives you a year's pass to the place those friggin' art thieves made famous around the world in March of 1990. Note: Do not try stealing any art. We've been to the Gardner, thought about it (only theorhetically, mind you) and said, "This place is now the most secure museum in the world. We'd be pinched in an instant." Maybe it isn't, but we still say you should stick to the romance, appreciate the art and leave it on the darn walls where it belongs. How's that for a controversial stance? From 6-9 p.m on Wednesday February 14 (of course).
200 The Fenway, 617-566-5643 gardnermuseum.org