Love Is All Around

There are a couple ways you can look at Valentine’s Day. Either the box of chocolates is half full: Love is such a grand and beautiful thing that we’ve assigned an entire day just for its celebration. Or the box is half empty: We’re so busy and self-absorbed that we can only squeeze in a single day to acknowledge its meaning in our lives.

But no matter how you look at it, there is so much happening this weekend that you can’t ignore Cupid’s quivers.

An Affair to Remember

“The End of the Affair” (rated R) may be the perfect Valentine’s film for everyone--an anguished period love story with spiritual undercurrents. Ralph Fiennes plays novelist Maurice Bendrix, who becomes obsessed--again--with Sarah (Julianne Moore), with whom he had a passionate affair. Directed by Neil Jordan and adapted from Graham Greene’s novel, the film is “concerned with the corrosive power of jealousy and other dark, torturous byways of romantic attachment,” wrote Times critic Kenneth Turan.

“The End of the Affair” is in general release.

Posting Valentines

The hopes, dreams and passions of two friends unfold in a series of letters exchanged over a lifetime in A.R. Gurney’s play “Love Letters,” at 8 p.m. Saturday at Brea’s Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle. Film and stage veteran Adrienne Barbeau and Lawrence Pressman star in the touching and frequently funny romance, which repeats Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 to $27. Call (714) 990-7722.

The Language of Love

Lovers and lovers of poetry can share their amorous reflections at Kiss*2000, Moon Mad Productions’ annual love poetry contest Saturday at Alta Coffee House & Roasting Co., 506 31st St., Newport Beach. Contestants will compete for cash and other prizes by sharing words of love, lust, romance and fantasy. Local poetry publishers Bil and Carole Luther will judge and Liquid Muse will provide musical inspiration. Competition is limited to the first 15 entries. Spectators are welcome. Sign-ups at 7 p.m.; readings begin at 8. Entry fee is $3; spectators are free. Call (949) 675-0233.

Say It With Song

The Irvine Valley College Chorale will present “2000 Ways to Say I Love You,” a collection of romantic tunes from American musical theater, at 8 p.m. Saturday in the campus student Services Center, 5550 Irvine Center Drive. The program will include solos, choral arrangements and ensembles. Tickets are $12 at the door. Call (949) 451-5488.

Hear music from the heart at a free Valentine’s concert Sunday at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda. Pianist Ann Patrick-Green, tenor Hershel Green, baritone John Patrick and flutist Heather Patrick-Orozco will perform love songs and other romantic fare starting at 2 p.m. The library is at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd. Call (714) 993-5075.

The UC Irvine Concert Choir and guest artists will present a romantic evening of favorite valentine music, songs and readings comic and serious at 8 p.m. Monday at Winifred Smith Hall, West Peltason Drive and Mesa Road. After the program there’s a reception with refreshments. Tickets are $6 to $14. Call (949) 824-2787.

Prokofiev in Love

Ah, “Romeo and Juliet,” the story that defined star-crossed lovers.

It’s not Shakespeare’s version playing at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, but Prokofiev’s. It’s performed here by the Ballet de l’Opera de Bourdeaux. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. This is the U.S. debut of Tiit Harm’s original choreography. The center is at 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Tickets are $42 to $52. Call (800) 300-4345.

Move to the Groove

Treat your honey to an evening of dancing and help youngsters with their reading at the same time at KLAC’s Sweetheart’s Ball at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Doubletree Hotel, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. The Doc Anello Big Band will play swinging hits of the ‘30s and ‘40s for dancing and listening. Admission is a new children’s book to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Orange County Reading Club. Call (818) 546-1043.

Romance on the Menu

If the way to your valentine’s heart is through his or her stomach you won’t want to miss “In Celebration of Paris After Dark,” a four-course feast inspired by the world’s most romantic city, Sunday at French 75, 1464 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. Sponsored by the American Institute of Wine and Food, the dinner will include braised cipolline topped with grilled lobster medallions, goat cheese souffle salad, thyme and hazelnut encrusted rack of lamb. Each course is paired with Henri Abele, Domaine Lornin, Domaine De Pegau and other wines. Seating is at 6 p.m. Tickets are $68 ($58 for members). Call (949) 364-3042 for reservations.