Valentine's Day: Beware Flying Arrows

By Charity Corkey (Contact)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Cupid's calendar is booked full of Loudoun events next week, with an especially busy day of marksmanship on Feb. 14.

In the afternoon, lovers and friends are invited to an elegant Purcellville Valentine's Day tea–catered by Two Broads and a Brit–of fine china, Rum Babas, brie and raspberries.

In Hillsborough, an indulgent candle-lit feast will be held in the early evening, followed by a soulful Vienna concert featuring blues artist Shemekia Copeland.

Cucumber Sandwiches & Strawberry Preserves

Savor hand-made sweets and pastries, while sipping specialty teas at the Carver Center's Feb. 14.

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Valentine's Day Destinations

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Blues singer Shemekia Copeland will perform at Wolf Trap on Valentine's Day. (Carol Friedman)

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Dessert at the Carver Center's elegant Valentine's Day tea will include Belgian chocolate truffles, and mini sponges soaked in rum and filled with pastry cream. (Carver Center)

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Fresh flowers and candles will fill the restored 1840’s rustic cattle barn at Hillsborough Vineyards Saturday evening for a five-course dinner. (Hillsborough Vineyards)

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From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the center will transform into a British tea parlor, with white-linen tablecloths, china and delicate flowers.

Refreshments include cucumber finger sandwiches, mini puff pastry shells filled with brie, goat cheese crostini and strawberry scones served with cream.

For dessert, Two Broads and a Brit is serving Belgian chocolate truffles, and mini sponges soaked in rum and filled with pastry cream.

To make your reservation, call 571-258-3400. Admission is $25.

Winemaker's Dinner at Hillsborough Vineyards

Fresh flowers and candles will fill the restored 1840's rustic cattle barn at Hillsborough Vineyards Saturday evening for an intimate five-course dinner.

Chef Karen Harper-Fuog and winemaker Kerem Baki are preparing a delectable menu, which will begin with a reception of gourmet cheeses and the vineyard's Carnelian, a crisp blend of Chardonnay and Roussanne.

Valentine's '09

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Once seated, guests will be served a spicy crab soup with cumin lime cream, followed by butternut and ricotta ravioli and semi-boneless quail on a bed of sautéed mixed wild mushrooms.

During the fourth course—deviled braised beef short ribs with Dijon

mustard and herbed breadcrumbs—Baki will introduce the 2005 Onyx, an earthy, full-bodied red which the vineyard will release in the spring.

Contact the vineyard at 540-668-6216 to make your reservations.

Shemekia Copeland

Finish off the night with a sassy blues performance by Shemekia Copeland at Wolf Trap in Vienna.

Copeland began singing at an early age and was inspired by her father, Texas guitarist Johnny Clyde Copeland, to pursue a career in music.

Today, she has been dubbed by some the next Queen of the Blues, and has opened for the Rolling Stones as well shared a stage with John Mayer and B.B. King.

Her Valentine's Day performance will include songs from her fifth and upcoming album, Never Going Back.

Tickets can be purchased online.

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