The moon is full, the birds are singing and, besides the fact it is a bit cold outside, your hearts are warm. It soon will be Valentine’s Day-a day for love and twitterpation. What do you have planned for your sweetheart? Dinner, dancing, chocolates or a movie? Texas offers a few things to choose from and Neotrib brings it to you.

How about dinner and a movie? A movie directed by Garry Marshall, Valentine’s Day is opening February 12 at a theater near you. This movie features an all star cast looking for romance with intertwining story lines on one Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles. This movie is rated PG-13.

Perhaps you would like Dinner in a Diner. The Museum of the American Railway in Fair Park hosts an old-fashioned Valentine’s Day dinner. Designed to replicate the experience of dining during the heyday of train travel, this romantic evening features a champagne reception, entertainment and a dinner menu from the Santa Fe Railway. Dinner is served on the fully restored 1937 MKT Dining Car. Call 214-428-0101 for reservations. Hurry, this one always sells out.

On February 12 in Dallas, you can experience Mysteries of Timeless Love. The Arts District Cabaret presents its 8th annual Valentine’s Day serenade with an evening of gourmet dining and heart-felt song. Reservations only at 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm in the Venetian Room at The Fairmont Dallas Hotel. For more details call 214-942-5085 or visit their website.

Keith and Margo’s Murder Mystery Theater
Saturday February 13, 2010 7:00 – 11:30 PM
This is Keith & Margo’s 20th Annual St. Valentines Day Celebration at the Omni Dallas Park West Hotel. The basic package is $94.00 per person and includes a reception, dinner, drink ticket, satirical mystery stage play with 1950’s Theme, Disc Jockey for dancing, prizes, taxes, tips and a cash bar. Dance to the Golden Oldies of the 1950’s! For an additional $130 per couple, all the above plus a room at the Omni Dallas Hotel and breakfast in the morning are included. Located at the Omni Hotel at 1590 LBJ Freeway @ Luna Road in Dallas. For more details, check out their website.

Are you interested in animals on display in recreations of their natural habitats? Hold hands walking around the Dallas World Aquarium. Tour the multi-story aquarium, then sit down to excellent service and food in one of their restaurants. They are open only until 4 p.m., so this should be an early date. Hours: 10am-5pm, seven days a week. Admission: Adults $18.95, Children 3-12 $10.95, Seniors 60 and older $14.95, Children two and under Free. For more information call 214-720-2224. They are located at 1801 N. Griffin Street in Dallas.

There is always a laugh or two around town. Check out these options:

• Shaquille O’Neal Presents All Star Comedy Jam on February 12 beginning at 8 pm. NOKIA Theatre at Grand Prairie located at 1001 Performance Place. With Rickey Smiley, Mo’Nique, Mike Epps, and Kevin Hart. Get ready to laugh, laugh, laugh, and laugh some more! For more information, call 972-854-5111.

• Valentine’s Day Comedy Special on February 14 at the Doubletree Hotel: Backdoor Comedy Club. The club has been selected by D Magazine and Dallas Observer as Dallas’ “Best Comedy Club”. Headliners will be Aaron Aryanpur, Paul Varghese and Raj Sharma. $25 Tickets include a glass of champagne, chocolates and a ticket to a future show.

Are you interested in jazz?
All-Star Valentine’s Day Weekend with Peabo Bryson and the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Tae and Deja. Located at the McFarlin Auditorium at SMU, 6405 Boaz Lane in Dallas on February 13. The concert begins at 8pm. For more information call 214-768-3139. For ticket sales, call 214-743-2400 or 800-745-3000.

Museums, anyone? There are several to choose from.
Discover Dallas Day – Love Dallas Style on February 13. Located at the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture, 100 South Houston Street. Cupid’s arrow has struck Dallas-ites since the 1840s, and not just on Valentine’s Day. From Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow to J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing, Dallas County has been home to some of the most dynamic power couples in the nation’s memory. Learn about the famous, infamous, historical, and fictional couples who have called Dallas home over the decades. Creating vintage valentines completes this story of love, Dallas style! Reduced admission all day – $5 per person and FREE for Members. Call 214-745-1100 for more information.

Bodies…The Exhibition, open until April 30, 2010. Located in the West End Historic District at 208 N. Market. This exhibit offers an amazing look into the human body. Unlike biology and anatomy models and diagrams, at BODIES visitors are able to peer at real 3-dimensional human bodies that have been preserved for the exhibition. Call 214-741-7180 for more details.

Lovers of the theater will be treated as well. Check out End Days at the Bath House Cultural Center in Northeast Dallas. The address is 521 East Lawther Drive. The dates for the play are February 12-27. End Days is a rapturously funny play about a slowly healing family hurling toward Armageddon. Father hasn’t changed out of his pajamas since 9/11; mother abandons Judaism for Jesus; daughter finds solace in Stephen Hawkings; and the boy next door just wants to feel welcome in someone’s house and dress like Elvis. For ticket information, call 214-670-8749.

In Luckenbach, from February 12-14, there is a Hug-In which includes live music, primitive camping and a Saturday night dance. Located at RR 1376, off Hwy 290 E. More details can be seen at their website or call 830-997-3224.

Birds and the Bees? There is a Great Backyard Bird Count in Blanco on Feb 12-15. This is a guided bird hike. On Saturday, there will be classes on how to attract birds to a backyard, how to observe birds and children’s activities from 8 am to 2 pm at the Blanco State Park. You can call 830-833-4333 for more information.

The Fredericksburg Theater Company presents Man of La Mancha. This play tells the story of Don Quixote and his quest for The Impossible Dream. The theater is located at 1668 Hwy. 87 S. Check out their website or call 830-997-3588 for more information.

There is a Chocolate Walk in Boerne on February 13. Collect handmade chocolates from more than 30 participating merchants. Call 830-249-7277 for details. Market Days are February 13-14 with dozens of vendors from all over Texas. Go to their website for more details.

You can travel south and participate in the Austin Marathon on February 14 with your lover. Nearly 11,000 runners are involved in this annual event. Located in downtown Austin. Their website has more information.

In Gruene on February 14, a Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist serves a New Orleans-style gospel brunch of awe-inspiring gospel music and a mouth-watering buffet. Located at the Gruene Hall, call 830-629-5077 or visit their website.

If you don’t want to travel so far, stay close to home. Until February 28, the Ennis Public Theater presents A Raisin in the Sun. Located at 2705 N. Kaufman Street, you can call 972-878-4748 or visit their website for more information. On February 13, Ennis Czech Music Festival is located at the Sokol Hall at 2622 E. Hwy 34. This features five Czech bands of Ennis-Ennis Czech Boys, Jak Se Do, Czech Harvesters, Jodie Mikula Orchestra and Czech & Then Some.

On February 11-13, a Western Swing Valentine Party at the Canton Civic Center. Featuring Dave Alexander and His Big Texas Swing Band, Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys, Quee Sisters Band, Jake Hooker and more. For more details, see their website.

A Valentine’s Day Dinner is at the Vintage House Restaurant in Bryan. Located at 4545 Old Reliance Road, from oysters to chocolate, this restaurant has specialty dinners, even the finickiest eaters will enjoy. See their website or call 800-736-9463, ext 234.

Don’t forget to travel to Fort Worth. February 9-14, Casa Manana presents Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story. Located at the Manana Theater, call 817-332-2272 or visit their website. On February 12-14, the Texas Ballet Theatre presents Romeo & Juliet at the Bass Performance Hall. Call 877-828-9200 or visit their website.

On February 11-13, take your sweetie to the NBA All Star Jam Session at the Dallas Convention Center. You can dribble, drive, shoot and slam all day. Meet your favorite NBA and WNBA players and legends and get free autographs. Get basketball tips from NBA players and prepare for the 2010 NBA All-star game. Go to their website for more details.

In Waxahachie, there are several events to choose from.

• February 12-14, the local Community Theater will present Steel Magnolias at the Park Meadows Baptist Church, located at 3350 Hwy 77 N. The play is from 7 pm to 9 pm and for more details go their website.

• On Saturday, Richard Bowden with Moon & the Starz will be at the Texas Theater from 8 pm to 10 pm. This is an Americana band from Linden, Texas and will make their debut at the Texas Theater in a special Valentine’s Eve performance.

• The 7th Annual Mardi Gras Parade will begin at 3 pm at the College Street Restaurant & Pub. There will be beads, vendors and music starting at 12 noon. It should be a lot of fun. Call 972-937-1870 for more information.

• The Mardi Gras Ball will be hosted by the Oddfellows lodge #80 and will be held at The Loft in the downtown area. Dancing begins at 7 pm. Ticket information is 972-938-2062.

• If you are interested in local family-friendly comedy, visit the After Hours Improv Theater at the Historic Rogers beginning at 8 pm. For ticket information, call 972-937-9839 or visit their website.

• Don’t forget Trade Days from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Located at the Ellis County Expo Center on 287 Bypass, there is free parking and free admission. Celebrating Hearts Across Ellis County, they will honor those local organizations that demonstrate good work, from the heart. Indoor and outdoor vendors and food concessions. Call 972-617-8156 or visit their website.

Whether you are spooning with your sweetie at home or out on the town, remember the stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas and you and the one you love can have a memorable Valentine’s Day in this grand ol’ state of ours. Romance is still alive right here.