Jazz in Rockport, roots in Cambridge, love in the air

Two notable shows between now and Valentine's Day that you might have missed... Tickets are going fast for Danilo Perez and friends at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Friday night. This is a pretty smashing combination of the "Pan-American" jazz pianist and one of the most interesting performance spaces in the entire Boston area. This small, wood-and-glass performance hall offers great sound and a beautiful harbor view. Now, sure, it will be dark when the show begins at 8 p.m., but Perez will cast plenty of illumination anyway. Tix are $25-$35 and if you're interested, I'd call 978-546-7391 or go here right now. Bonus: The show is a benefit for the North Shore Jazz Project, whose All-Star band will open. Not a bad date night.

The other show is more directly Valentine-related. Three real-life couples, rootsy-folkie types all, will play Songs of Love at Passim in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Valentine's Day, aka Tuesday. Darol Anger and Emy Phelps, Lissa Schneckenberger and Corey DiMario, and Brittany Haas and Kai Welch will present what they're calling Sweethearts’ Night Out, with originals and covers looking at romance from, well, both sides now and then some. The 8 p.m. show is $23 for Passim members and $25 for non-members.  They can be purchased in advance here or at 617-492-7679.