The unofficial, incomplete Oak Cliff Valentine’s Day gift guide

So Valentine’s Day is this contrived holiday named after a guy who was beaten and beheaded. But in practice, Valentine’s Day is at least more fun than an execution.

If we must spend money to observe VD, at least let’s keep it local, right?

In that spirit, we compiled this Valentine’s Day gift guide from local artists and creatives. We can’t include everything, but we hope this list cuts a wide swath of what Oak Cliff has to offer.

“CHEMISTRY: A LOVE STORY” BY KEVIN OBREGON
$150

Obregon’s book of water color illustrations comes in this box. Here are more pictures:

If you want this $150 work of art for your sweetie, you have to hurry. Obregon is taking orders through today, Thursday, Feb. 10, in time for Valentine’s Day. Email him at kevinobregon@hotmail.com.

STORYTELLERS AT THE KESSLER: WANDA JACKSON
$25

The queen of rockabilly Wanda Jackson performs at the Kessler Theater on Saturday, Feb. 26 — what a romantic date! Jackson was, after all, a teen star who once dated Elvis. She growled out cult classics like “Fujiyama Mama” and “Riot in Cell Block No. 9” in the 50s, and last year she put out an album produced by Jack White of the White Stripes.

Here’s Wanda with the White stripes, performing “Thunder on the Mountain”.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoAQz4KLa2g[/youtube]

And here’s classic Wanda performing “Hard Headed Woman” — dancing, singing and playing the guitar. Even Beyonce can’t do this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPpudduZLYo[/youtube]

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
$125 donation to Promise House

A limited number of tickets to the Feb. 11 performance of Cirque Du Soleil in Frisco are available through Oak Cliff-based Promise House, a shelter for homeless and at-risk youth. Buy a $125 ticket to the show, and Promise House keeps the money.

MOVIE, WINE AND CHOCOLATE
$35 per couple

On Monday, Feb. 14, the Texas Theatre screens Louis Malle’s “My Dinner with Andre” . The $35 package includes two tickets to the movie, a bottle of wine and truffles from CocoAndré Chocolatier.

Here’s the trailer:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzlgv5D-pWo[/youtube]

TEXAS THEATRE MEMBERSHIP
$25

While you’re there, why not pick up a $25 membership to the theater? If you scan it every time you go, they give you coupons for concessions and movies. Plus, it looks really cool in your wallet. Sometimes I pretend mine is one of those credit cards they only give celebrities, or whatever.

POTIONS FROM DUDE, SWEET CHOCOLATE
$30

Pick your poison. “Lover’s Potion No. 547” has port and agave nectar, “One Night Stand” has 100 Anos Reposado tequila and cane sugar, and “Break Up Potion” is made with bourbon. Put it on ice cream and anything else that’s good for licking.

HATS FROM HOUSE OF MACGREGOR
$180-$225

Shop at House of MacGregor’s Valentine’s Day Party from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. Sip a cocktail from Bolsa (MacGregor’s studio is upstairs), try on hats and say cheese for the photo booth.

CHOCOLATE DESIGNER SHOE FROM COCOANDRE
$50

These Christian Louboutin Very Prive peep toes retail for $895.

But people gotta pay rent, honey. So CocoAndré came up with a chocolate version.

This chocolate shoe looks good enough to walk around in, and it comes filled with hand-rolled truffles for $50. To order, call 214.941.3030.

FLOWERS FROM DIRT
$16-$167

Dirt, the flower shop and event planning place in Bishop Arts, is offering Valentine’s Day specials for all price ranges. For the luxurious, two dozen roses delivered in a zinc container are are $159. If roses aren’t your sweetheart’s thing, an arrangement of in-season flowers delivered in a rustic wooden box are $167. If you’re buying me something, send the 20 tulips in a “cool, quirky” coffee can for $42. Ten daffodils in a coffee can are $24. And a single posy in a vintage snuff jar is $16. Dirt delivers in Oak Cliff.