SMILE with Neil on Valentines

As you probably already know, Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14. In North America, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. Named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine, the day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. The first recorded association of Valentine’s Day with romantic love is in /Parlement of Foules /(1382) by Chaucer:

              /For this was on seynt Volantynys day/
              /Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese/ [choose] /his
              make/ [mate].

Wow! He’s supposed to be such a great poet, and yet he can’t even spell. Shocking …

Well, anyway, you are probably aware that in some North American elementary schools,students are encouraged to give a Valentine card or small gift to everyone in the class. The greeting cards of these students often mention what they appreciate about each other. Now, this is no elementary school, and I don’t expect everyone of you to bring me a Valentine, but it would be appreciated if certain select people would consider doing so, and you know who you are… Married and unavailable ladies need not fear that I will take it the wrong way!

In any case, I hope you will not let this daunting prospect hold you back from attending another fantastic night of fun and frivolity at Ye Olde Knockoute. Just see what I have lined up for your listening pleasure:

11pm – The Moore Brothers – Thomas and Gregory by name, they are no strangers to SMiLE! attendees. Truly, sweeter songbirds are rare to come by in any era, and local appearances by this pair are equally rare ever since they’ve relocated up North. So be sure to catch them while you can!
http://www.myspace.com/themoorebros

10:15pm – Dreamdate – What a delightful surprise when I discovered there was such a band as Dreamdate! Yea-ming, Anna, and Elbert produce a delightfully tuneful clatter that’ll have you dreaming up some wonders.
http://www.myspace.com/dreamdater

9:30pm – Them Hills – The Moores are bringing up some friends of theirs from Nevada City. Never having met, seen, nor heard them in person, I can’t speak from experience. But they seem just delightful and wear funny glasses. What more could you ask for?
http://www.myspace.com/themhills

The place is at 3223 Mission near 29th and the cost is a mere $5.

I look forward to seeing you!

Best wishes,
Neil Martinson