The Mahaiwe celebrates Valentine's Day with a talk by acclaimed food historian Francine Segan titled "Aphrodisiacs: Myth or Reality," followed by an Italian desserts reception and screening of John Patrick Shanley's 1987 Oscar-winning romantic comedy Moonstruck.

Starring Cher, Nicolas Cage, and Olympia Dukakis as Italian-Americans in Brooklyn. Segan will discuss aphrodisiacs from ancient times into the present, exploring the decadent stories behind aphrodisiacs like frog saliva, rhinoceros horns, oysters, truffles, and caviar, as well as sharing tantalizing trivia like why the ancient Romans ate bread shaped like a penis, which veggie was responsible for King Henry VIII’s renowned sexual stamina, what foods Casanova served to insure a passionate partner, and the erotic origins of the champagne glass. Following her talk will be a dessert reception of Italian sweets courtesy of Amarelli, Bauli, Corsini, Falanga, ICAM/Vanini, Motta, Pastiglie Leone, Perugina, Vicenzi, and Venchi provided by www.DolceItalia.com, a new website dedicated to Italian sweets and dessert wines. Tickets are $5 for the talk and reception , $6 for the movie, or $10 for both (general admission).