Sometimes life imitates art. In the case of Galentine’s Day, the art comes by way of Amy Poehler’s Parks and Recreation (NBC, 2009–2015) character, Leslie Knope, who designated the day before Valentine’s Day as a day for women to celebrate each other.
“Oh, it’s only the best day of the year,” Poehler’s character says. “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”
While Poehler’s comedic tongue may have been firmly planted in her cheek, Galentine’s Day is a great idea, especially when considering all the fun, relaxing and inspiring places Edina offers for gals to gather on February 13 or any day of the year.
BRUNCH
The Edina Grill
Get your frittata on at The Edina Grill with its spinach homage to the eggy classic. Your morning breakfast plate also features brie (oh, bonjour!), oven-dried tomato, herb vinaigrette, grated Parmesan, hash browns and a slice of any good breakfast’s life raft—toast! (True confession: This Edina Magazine writer is hopelessly devoted to the Farmhouse, a layered tribute to hash browns, Wisconsin cheddar, scrambled eggs, caramelized onions and toast.)
MEDITATE
Transcendental Mediation Center
Consider scheduling time at the Twin Cities Transcendental Meditation Center to learn about the technique, including its health benefits based on scientific evidence like the positive effects on hypertension and stress, and discover how this form of meditation addresses aging of the brain. While participants won’t learn the technique (four consecutive-day sessions with training are offered), they can learn more about how this meditation can be practiced for only 20 minutes a day.
BROWS
Lili Salon Spa
Since brows are the new wows, get the gals together and get your facial exclamation points refined and defined at Lili Salon Spa. The full-service venue also offers haircuts, color and styling, massages and makeup sessions, manicures and pedicures, additional waxing services (north and south of the border), and medspa treatments. Or go for the whole package! Lili offers package deals perfect for zhuzhing up your look for a day/night out in Edina.
DANCE
Arthur Murray
So you think you can dance? Maybe not, so dance with your own gal stars at Arthur Murray Dance Center. It’s a perfect excuse to get gussied up in a twirl-worthy outfit, complete with strappy heels (sequins and spray tans are optional). With a group of up to 10, learn the dance of your choice during a 40-minute session for only $175 (add other pals for only $20 per person). Learn how to cha-cha, foxtrot, hustle, merengue, rumba, salsa or any other dance moves you’ve seen on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.
SKATE
Centennial Lakes Park
Lace up and hit the ice rink or trails. Remember when winter meant finding a frozen pond or parkland rink to skate the hours away? Visit any 12 of Edina’s outdoor skating venues and Centennial Lakes Park, which features a 10-acre lake groomed for ice skating. (Daytime can be the best time to zip out onto the ice—all the hockey kids are in school!) Feeling more trail ready? Visit the multi-use trail at Braemar Golf Course to snowshoe, Nordic ski or just walk and talk with your besties.
PSYCHIC
Ruth Lordan
Expand your grasp of the present and future with a visit with Ruth Lordan, psychic consultant and meditation counselor. Lordan is a fifth generation plus natural-born psychic based in Edina. Lordan provides readings for individuals, groups, couples and animals in-person, via phone, FaceTime or Skype. Gather your group and enjoy a psychic reading either on-site or from the comfort of your own home. Just for Galentine’s Day, Lordan is offering a special 10-minute reading for $25.
WINE + DINE
Beaujo’s Wine Bar
With a special nod to Galentine’s Day, Beaujo’s Wine Bar and Bistro will feature a wine flight and dessert bites special ($19.50), including three half glasses of wine and a trio of tasty treats. Or choose a small bottle of bubbles with dessert bites. Beaujo’s always features 30 wines and an evolving list of domestic and imported beer. The menu includes house-made soups, salads, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas and an assortment of fine cheeses, pâtés, spreads and an irresistable dessert selection.
MOVIE NIGHT
All About Eve
After all is said and done, and the gal squad has been out and about, load up the popcorn bowl, get on your lounge wear and settle in at home with a chick flick of another flavor and time. Fire up Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s All About Eve (1950), which dishes about romantic and career relationships on and off the Broadway stage. Bette Davis and Anne Baxter’s competitive relationship is a lesson in how women should not treat each other. The film’s message is timeless, the wardrobe is sublime and the dialogue is snappy. “Fasten your seatbelts—it’s going to be a bumpy night,” says Bette Davis as Margo Channing in All About Eve.
