It’s February. It’s Black History Month, Humpback Whale Awareness Month, National Cancer Prevention Month, American Heart Month and Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month. It’s finally cold this year in the Coastal Bend; there’s a green comet passing by that hasn’t been seen by human eyes in 50,000 years; and today we let a groundhog in Pennsylvania decide if winter will last six more weeks or not. (Punxsutawney Phil has spoken: Winter weather’s sticking around.) Don’t crawl back into your burrow this weekend: here’s what the Coastal Bend has to offer!
FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK
Friday, 5:30 p.m.
Downtown
It’s that time of the month again: Artwalk! I hear there’s some sort of holiday for couples coming up? Get something to set the mood for your lover or just treat yourself to some self-love by picking up something from a local vendor or two. Grab some food and groove to some local bands – who knows? You spark a meet-cute and meet your Valentine! 
FIRST FRIDAY AT THE ART MUSEUM
Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Art Museum of South Texas
First Friday also means free admission all day to the Art Museum, presented by Frost Bank! Grab the whole family to take in the rotating exhibits on display. With extended hours, there’s no excuse not to embrace your inner Warhol or Picasso and find your way to the AMST. Bonus: hit the AMST outreach table at Artwalk for giveaways and art activities. (I mean, who doesn’t love free things?!)
XANADU ROLLER DISCO
Friday, 5-7 p.m.
Art Center of Corpus Christi
Slide your way on over to the Art Center for a disco courtyard free skate during Artwalk! Channel your inner Linda Blair for some roller boogie (cue Cher: “Well, I’m hell on wheels, say I’m roller crazy”). This roller disco celebrates the center’s staff – so don’t forget your skates to groove to DJ JELLOxSHOOT’s beats. Anyone else nostalgic for CitySkates now?
SURFING A SEA OF QUILTS
Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Richard M. Borchard Fairgrounds, Robstown
Just in time for cuddle weather, the 17th biennial Quilt Show makes a return to the Coastal Bend. Bid on a quilt at a live auction or nab some goodies at the silent auction while the Coastal Bend Quilt and Needlework Guild judges over 200 quilts and needlework items on display. Get your quilting and crafting needs met by shopping with vendors showing off their sewing machines, leathers, fabrics and more.
ICERAYS’ TEACHER APPRECIATION NIGHT
Friday, 7 p.m.
American Bank Center
Hey teach! Don’t pass up on this opportunity to let loose this weekend: Teachers get free admission to Friday’s IceRays game with a valid school I.D.! Doors open at 6:05 p.m. for Frosty Friday (featuring $4 beers and Stinger punch.) Put away those pencils and celebrate making it 100 days into the school year.
THE SPAZMATICS
Friday, 9 p.m.
Brewster’s Street Icehouse Downtown
You can dance if you want to at the Spazmatics. The totally rad party returns for its monthly installment at Brewster’s Street Icehouse Downtown. Grab your tickets now.
HERITAGE PARK MARKET DAYS
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Heritage Park
Skip the drug store stuffed animal, last-minute cards and chocolate and grab something from a local artisan for your Valentine this year. CaTS’ Heritage Park Market Days returns for their February market. This family- and pet-friendly market features local vendors and should have something for everyone.
PACKERY FLATS WINTER CLEANUP
Saturday, 9 a.m.
Packery Flats Main Parking Lot
Show your love for our natural habitat at Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program’s winter cleanup. This year, they’ve teamed up with Coastal Bend Bays Foundation Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup to expand the cleanup area to include tidal flat and marsh habitats along two miles of Highway 361. Register here to help do your part to keep the Coastal Bend clean (alright, planeteers, the power is yours – and also some swag if you sign up). Find more information here.
TEEN BOOKFEST BY THE BAY
Saturday, 9 a.m.
American Bank Center
Bookworms and wordsmiths unite! This free public event allows people to meet 20 local and national young adult authors and illustrators. Hone your writing craft with author panels, writing and illustration workshops and meet-and-greets with authors. If you learn any tips on how to combat writer’s block, send ’em my way, please.
MARKET DAYS AT COTTON BRANCH FARMS
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cotton Branch Farms, Robstown
Take a quick trip to Robstown to spend a romantic – or a family fun – day on the farm. Cotton Branch Farms’ market days will feature more than 100 vendors. Come on down to the Farmhouse for shopping, food, live music and family fun. Free admission.
AN INTERPLANETARY EXPERIENCE +
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
TAMUCC’s Performing Arts Center
Take a trip across the universe with the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. Get lost among the stars as the symphony performs the iconic “The Planets” suite by British composer Gustav Holst. Multimedia presentations will enhance the show, so you can traverse the cosmos from your seat – we’re all made of star stuff, as Carl Sagan would say. Additionally, the orchestra will also pay tribute to American jazz great Duke Ellington to celebrate Black History month. Grab your tickets for an interstellar experience here.
CANDLE MAKING WORKSHOP
Saturday, noon to 3 p.m.
Nueces Brewing
Looking to give your special someone something special you made with love? Well, here’s something scent-sational! Craft your own custom candle and scent at this $40 workshop at Nueces Brewing. Plus, a pint of your favorite Nueces Brew is included.
CUDDLE-FISH PAINTING AND PINTS
Saturday, noon
Lazy Beach Brewing
Hang out at Lazy Beach and create a work of art at the same time! For $30, learn how to paint some cuddlefish – just in time for Valentine’s or Galentine’s day. OK, Picasso, I like that.
SENTSUBUN BEAN THROWING DAY
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures
Toss out winter and those demons and welcome spring with this traditional Japanese celebration. ‘Setsubun’, meaning “seasonal division,” celebrates winter’s end and spring’s beginning. How? By throwing beans. Yup. Find out more here.
EMO PROM
Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
The Coffee MUGG
It was never a phase, mom. This prom is for lovers. Bust out the eyeliner, fishnets, vans and converse: because sugar, it’s goin’ down on the dance floor. Dress to impress – the best dressed will be crowned emo prom king and queen. Or not; I can’t tell you what to do. Because this heart, it beats, it beats only for you!
FULL MOON CRUISE
Saturday, 7 p.m.
Harrison’s Landing
Set sail under the full moon aboard the Texas Tease. Qué romántico! Book your spot now for a two hour moonlit cruise with live music by Claudia Melton. $40 per person – 11 and older; weather permitting.
BLUFF’S LANDING MARKET DAY
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bluff’s Landing Marina and Lodge
Shop small, shop local at Bluff’s Landing Market Day. I know, there’s quite a few markets this weekend – but with so many to choose from, you should be able to find that perfect love day gift for your boo (or a treat for yourself).
VALENTINE COOKIE DECORATING
Sunday, 5 p.m.
Coastal Charm Events
I royally suck at decorating cookies (….get it? Royally? Like the icing?), but this class really warms my heart. Learn how to decorate your own beautiful sugar cookies with Chunky Funky Flamingo’s Robin. You get to take home half a dozen of your own creations. Register here.
