SPRINGFIELD — Valentine’s Day is on Feb. 14, but you can celebrate the holiday with your significant other — or your best friend — a day early this year at 52 Sumner.
The venue, housed in the former Faith United Church in the city’s Forest Park neighborhood, will host a pair of Candlelight concerts on Feb. 13. A special Valentine’s Day show will be held at 6 p.m., followed by a Tribute to Taylor Swift at 8:30 p.m.
Fever, which puts on the concerts, describes the Candlelight concert series on its website as “unique, one-of-a-kind concerts played by flickering candlelight.”
Candlelight concerts aim to bridge the gap between classical concerts and modern audiences, and each concert features a full orchestra of professional musicians.
According to the Fever website, the Valentine’s show will feature classics like “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” by Elton John and “All You Need is Love” by The Beatles, as well as “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri are also listed in the tentative program.
The Taylor Swift concert will feature a variety of songs from across the pop singer’s discography, including “Love Story” from the 2008 album “Fearless,” “Shake It Off” from 2014’s “1989,” and “Anti-Hero” from 2022’s “Midnights.” Medleys from the albums “Red,” “Reputation,” “folklore” and “1989” will also be performed.
The Listeso String Quartet is performing both shows.
“Offering multiple concerts in one day allows us to cater to different audiences,” said Lucia Casado, communications coordinator for Candlelight, in an email to The Republican. “The Valentine’s concert offers a romantic, classical-inspired experience, while the Taylor Swift program appeals to fans of contemporary pop reimagined through a classical lens.”
52 Sumner has previously hosted a variety of Candlelight concerts, including Halloween and Christmas tributes.
Angela Park, co-founder of 52 Sumner, said the turnout to past Candlelight concerts at the venue “has been incredible.”
“With candles placed throughout the space, the atmosphere becomes absolutely breathtaking. From the moment guests walk in, they marvel at the beauty of the space,” she said in an interview with The Republican. “Not a single overhead light is on; the entire evening glows, creating an intimate and unforgettable experience.”
Casado, of Candlelight, echoed those sentiments, stating: “52 Sumner is a unique venue that perfectly aligns with the Candlelight experience. Its intimate atmosphere, elegant architecture, and excellent acoustics create the ideal setting for our concerts, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the music.”
Tickets to both February shows are sold online through Fever. Tickets to the Valentine’s concert start at $46.50 and tickets to the Taylor Swift concert start at $38.
