Love and bitterness were in the air Monday night as the House of Love hosted its second annual Valentine’s Day open mic night. The fireplace was rolling, the punch was flowing, and guests were encouraged to perform a love song or two to celebrate this most romantic and made-up of holidays, though many decided to take more of a “post-Valentine’s Day” approach. Some played heart-warming selections as their significant others watched on, others performed anthems of loneliness in protest.

It was a most unique show experience and the night was full of wonderful performances that ranged from acoustic guitar renditions of classics, to ensemble jams on tunes as excellent as R. Kelly’s ‘Remix to Ignition,’ to a handful of delightfully candid acapella numbers.

The definite show-stealer of the night was a video performance by Cold Mountain Child’s own David Spalvieri-Kruse who recorded a Neil Young number to be viewed on a laptop since he couldn’t be there for the occasion. It was as unexpected as it was enchanting.

And if it was possible for a show to be stolen twice, then that distinction would have to go to the Thomas brothers for bringing the Bastard Train to Valentine’s Day with their decidedly non-romantic number about all a man wants to do when he comes home from a long day of work.

Overall, it was a most enjoyable way to spend the holiday and will be one of the most fondly remembered in a long-standing tradition of Vine Neighborhood house shows. It also served as a poignant reminder that there are better things to do with yourself and greater  expressions of love than what they’ll sell you at the store.