Nothing captures the complex duality of love itself so much as Valentine's Day. On one hand, a perfect opportunity to pay homage to Eros, to deify the object of one's affection yet on the other, an always miserably oppressive mix of expectation and obligation, a night when even the most securely obtained of table reservations will still reliably find you facing a 45-minute wait. Tonight's singular affair, “Art by People in Love,” is a wide open forum featuring 10-minute per participant slots wherein the artist or performer may delineate, explore and expand upon the intricacies of this most bedeviling state of human affairs. Whether it's something a strange as Leda & the Swan, Frankenstein and his bride or Bill and Hillary, the subject itself encompasses a bizarre swath of potential alliances, weird comminglings and unadulterated mush. The dark, bruised flipside, where betrayal, revenge and cruelty does so regularly play a critical role, shall doubtless enjoy equal time and lend plenty of over-heated spice to proceedings. Either way, all of the presentations are certain to be put over with this city's oft charmingly psychotic zeal. The Echo Park Film Center, 1200 N. Alvarado St.(at Sunset), Echo Park; Thurs. Feb. 14, 8 p.m.; $5 suggested donation. (213) 484-8846, echoparkfilmcenter.org.

Thu., Feb. 14, 8 p.m., 2013

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