Library’s “Anti-V-Day” pokes fun at Valentine’s Day hype

In 1984, Tina Turner skyrocketed to no. 1 with her tongue-in-cheek question, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” On Valentine’s Day, partygoers at Madison Public Library also can snub the hype.

The “Anti-V-Day Party” (anti-Valentine’s Day) will be held on Feb. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library.

“Lots of people don’t go in for the idea of chocolates and lovey-dovey stuff,” youth services librarian Mandy Pinyan said. “For those teens and the teens who would rather not deal with V-Day, I am offering a hang-out night.”

About two years ago, Pinyan tried out the idea for the ‘anti-party’ on Valentine’s Day. “We made anti-Valentine’s cards, and it went over well,” she said.

This year, the library staff will serve “stinky foods for unkissable breath: sour-cream-and-onion chips, garlic pita chips and hummus, Sour Patch Kids candy, soda and chile powder popcorn.”

“If you don’t have a date, it’s cool,” she said. Teenagers are welcome to visit the library at 130 Plaza Blvd., hang out, meet new people or bring friends. “We’ll just have a laid-back kind of night.”

Pinyan promises to play “angst-y music queued up on the good ‘ole iPod.” The party crowd will make anti-Valentine’s cards, play video games and spend time together — “minus romance, of course! No chocolates and roses here, buddy!”

Hopefully, the campy event will allow teenagers to have a good time without the pressure of having a date. “A few of my teen volunteers are excited about it,” she said.

As a teenager, Pinyan felt pressure “to do the whole lovey-dovey thing — even when I had a boyfriend.”

Although her high school years are long gone, she imagines the social and societal pressures haven’t changed much. “Even Facebook has relationship statuses … for cryin’ out loud! By having a party, I hope that teens won’t feel depressed or angst-y and can just enjoy themselves.”

For more information, call 256-461-0046, send email to mpinyan@hmcpl.org or visit Facebook/MPLYouthServices.