There are many ways to serenade your sweetie.

Byline: Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard

Not by coincidence, two noteworthy compilations of love songs arrived in the mail recently.

Both were in time for Valentine's Day previews, but the two collections could hardly be more different.

One was "A Date With John Waters." The other? Casey Kasem presents "The Long Distance Dedications."

Waters - the idiosyncratic mind behind "Hairspray," "Cry-Baby" and "Pecker" - has compiled some odd love songs, many of which have an old-fashioned, 1950s feel. But the themes deal with betrayal, adultery and other surprising and refreshing topics for an album timed for release before Valentine's Day.

Waters selected a couple of songs about homosexual rela- tionships and another about taking a lover hostage. "In Spite of Ourselves," sung by John Prine and Iris DeMent, is the gem of the album; the song somehow makes sniffing underwear endearing.

At the other end of the spectrum, Kasem keeps it mainstream, including love songs most requested on his countdown shows. Fourteen of the 20 tunes were No. 1 hits.

Anyone who's listened to commercial radio could sing along with most of them. "Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston, "Right Here Waiting for You" by Richard Marx and "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" by Boyz II Men are all there.

So whether you want to have a John Waters- or Casey Kasem-style Valentine's Day, there is bound to be something to do locally that will appeal to your mood and aesthetic.

All events are Wednesday unless otherwise noted.

Sensitive singer-songwriters

The last time Joshua Radin came through Eugene, he opened for our own Mat Kearney at the WOW Hall. Now his career is picking up speed, and he's back as a headliner.

Columbia, which re-released his second album, "We Were Here," gave Radin a similar deal to Kearney's, in which the artist maintained creative control over his work.

Radin has been compared to Nick Drake and Elliott Smith, but with any luck he won't die young and can continue to hit our hearts with songs of struggling relationships, loss, heartbreak and hope.

Single people can weep and relate in the dark corners of John Henry's, and those happy in their relationships can count their blessings that the suffering is over, at least for now.

In a news bio, the folk-rocker credits his hushed vocal style to living in close quarters with neighbors in a New York apartment. He's since moved to Los Angeles and fallen in love, which informs some of the more heart-melting tunes of "We Were Here."

Opener Schuyler Fisk, who has recorded with Radin, learned to play the guitar from her famous mother, Oscar winner Sissy Spacek. She opens at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door, 291 W. Eighth Ave.

Singularly noteworthy

WineStyles is toying with the idea of hosting a once-a-month event for singles. To get its grape-crushing feet wet, the locally owned business that works every day to demystify the wine shopping experience will host `Love Yourself!'

A news release says the event was designed to give people who are not in relationships "an opportunity to hang out with friends or simply love themselves in a unintimidating, relaxing, old world, vineyard-style setting."

The event will feature wine, of course, plus chocolate, cheeses and the music of fiddle player Mary-Elizabeth Holby.

The special singles soiree starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, 2846 Willamette St.

After the Valentine's Day event, WineStyles will host a singles night the second Wed- nesday of every month, with wine tasting, networking, speed-dating or other singles activities on tap.

Planned Parenthood benefit

DJ Layla, co-host of the "Something Special" dance each Wednesday at Taboo, is bringing something "extra" special for the big day of romance.

In her news release, she says you can either stay home and be bummed you don't have a valentine or come to Taboo to find one.

"Valentine's Day is usually one of two ways for most people: depressing or embarrassing," she says. "I wanted to present a third option and benefit a great cause."

Half of the money collected at the door will go to Planned Parenthood, and so will 15 percent of the bar total. It's an opportunity to dance to music by resident DJs Layla and Moonvoid, and to see dancing by Lumanessah and Allure while giving money to a good cause.

The event is in conjunction with National Condom Week, and Planned Parenthood will have "kisses and condoms" to give away. The suggested donation at the door is $5.

Taboo is at 23 W. Sixth Ave. The music starts at 9:30 p.m.

Roots, romance, reggae

Next door at Latitude 21, international reggae performer Jus Goodie performs at 8 p.m. for $7 a head.

The rock-steady River Jordon Band will back Goodie. A news release says people should come ready to work up a sweat dancing.

Goodie, the release says, "centers his music around a love of spirituality and hope for humanity."

Songs of romance and intrigue

Local band Mood Area 52 knows how to work the holidays with special events. This time, the neo-tango ensemble will provide sensual music at Luckey's Club Cigar Store, 933 Olive St., for $5 at the door.

Mood Area 52 emphasizes "nuanced, nostalgic and harmonically surprising music" a news release says. The music starts at 10 p.m.

Gynecologically speaking

The Women's Center at the University of Oregon is staging "The Vagina Monologues" on Valentine's Day and again Feb. 16 in the Erb Memorial Union Ballroom, 1222 E. 13th Ave.

This year, a news release says, the show boasts a cast that includes a professional wrestler, a shepherd on a Navajo reservation and a former band member, all performing pieces written by show creator Eve Ensler.

The production is part of the worldwide V-Day campaign, a movement to stop violence against women. Proceeds from the campaign will go to women's organizations.

The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7, $5 for UO students.

A bit of sunny Cuba

For what is sure to be a romantic, classy evening, the beautiful vocals of Jesse Marquez blend with an experienced backing band.

Eugene guitarist Mike Denny, who has worked with Marquez for many years, will lead his trio through American standards and Cuban "feeling" music at Luna, 30 E. Broadway.

The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Premature celebrations

Those who either want to impress a date or their own tastebuds could get a jump on the holiday and purchase tickets for a culinary affair Saturday at Pfeiffer Vineyards, 25040 Jaeg Road, Junction City.

"Romance in the Villa" features a five-course, candlelit dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. The menu includes steamer clams, scallops Adriatico and top sirloin steak - and plenty of wine pairings and desserts.

The cost is $125 per person, with limited seating. Call 998-2828 to make a reservation.