New York - February 12, 2004

The Weekend Guide

What to Do This Weekend

Dead presidents and valentines at the same time? Better use your long weekend wisely. Here’s our roundup of the best the city has to offer.

Taste

Wine and Chocolate Tasting
What: Ports and reds paired with Guittard dark chocolate at a free tasting in a charming East Village wine shop.
Why: Two great tastes … Oh, you know the rest.
When: 2/13, 5-8 p.m.; 2/14, 3-6 p.m.
Where: is-wine, 225 E. 5th St., b/t Second Ave. and Cooper Sq., 212-254-7800.

$1 Oysters
What: Blue Points, Pickle Points, Fanny Bays, Malpeques, Walla Wallas, or whatever else comes off the boat.
Why: Because you’re in the mood for love? (You know what they say about those slippery little suckers.)
When: 5-7 p.m. daily.
Where: Five Points, 31 Great Jones St., b/t Lafayette St. and Bowery, 212-253-5700.

See

The Pin-Up Show
What: Works by twenty young hotshot photographers. Nothing priced over $500.
Why: Because your savvy eye may just spot the Next Big Thing.
When: 2/13-2/22, 12-5 p.m.
Where: Jen Bekman Gallery, 6 Spring St., b/t Elizabeth St. and Bowery, 212-219-0166.

Roulette
What: A play about a suburban father who gambles with his humdrum life.
Why: If filmmaker Paul Weitz (American Pie, About a Boy) is as good with the stage as he is with the screen, this dark comedy will be the season’s most-buzzed-about show.
When: In previews; opens Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.
Where: John Houseman Theater, 450 W. 42nd St., b/t Ninth and Tenth Aves., 212-239-6200.

Hear

Rufus Wainwright
What: Indie pop troubadour. Think Harry Connick Jr. if he were gay and, um, cool.
Why: The man could seduce the pants off anyone with his songwriting chops and charm.
When: 2/13, 8 p.m.
Where: Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway at 74th St., 212-307-7171.

Do

Ladies’ Poker Night
What: A deck of cards, some takeout, and girls who don’t blush when the stakes get high.
Why: Because you gambled with love and lost. Maybe you’ll get a better deal?
When: Anytime, really. But especially satisfying on Valentine’s Day.
Where: Your living room.

Buy

Woodbury Common Presidents’ Day Sale
What: High-end outlets (TSE, Malo, La Perla) slash prices even lower (up to 85 percent).
Why: You have Monday off. You can make it to this one.
When: 2/13-2/16, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Where: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, Woodbury, NY, 845-928-4000; or online at premiumoutlets.com.

Edmundo Castillo Sample Sale
What: Stunning stilettos, mules, slingbacks, and boots, were $375-$830, now $100-$200.
Why: He may just give Manolo a run for his money. (Or at least a scare.)
When: 2/13-2/15; Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m.
Where: 219 Mott St., b/t Spring and Prince Sts., 212-431-5320.

Loftworks Store Sale
What: Clothing and accessories for men and women from top designers (Armani, Zegna, Dior, Prada, and Fendi) and trendy labels (Earl and Diesel) are up to 80 percent off.
Why: Last call for any special gift you might have forgotten to buy.
When: 2/13-2/14; Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 100 Lafayette St., b/t Walter and White Sts., 212-343-8088.

You can’t possibly have all this fun by yourself. Send this email to your friends.