Ours is a world of violence, fear, tragedy, heartbreak - and Valentine's Day!

Little cinnamon candy hearts! "I love you" cards from secret admirers! Romantic dinners with your Special Huggabee!

All of these things thematically come together Friday at the Donald L. Oat Theater in Norwich. It's "Valentine's Day Massacre - Songs of Love Gone Wrong," a special live music program with proceeds benefitting the Norwich Arts Center.

On the bill are Karen Ethier-Waring, Maggie's Guitar, and Sara Bailey and John Clark. Special kudos to whichever act performs Elvis Costello's exquisite murder ballad, "Psycho," with the verse where the narrator describes a meeting with his girl, Betty Clark:

"We were sitting on a bench, mama / Thinking up a game to play / Seems I was holding a wrench, mama /And then my mind just walked away."

- RICK KOSTER

Valentine's Day Massacre - Songs of Love Gone Wrong, 7 p.m. Friday, Donald L. Oat Theater, 62 Broadway, Norwich; $20, BYO snacks, beverages available for sale; (860) 887-2789, norwicharts.org.