Thursday, February 7
ART: The
Georgetown Art Show opens tonight with a free reception at the House of Sweden. The show features works
by people who live and work in Georgetown, and will feature oil and watercolor paintings,
sculptures, and photography. Free. 6 PM.
SKATE: If you think beer and ice skating go together, more power to you. The
Nationals are hosting a benefit for the Dream Foundation at the Georgetown ice rink featuring
beer and wine pairing, Hors d’oeuvres, and skating. Don’t crack your head open.
WHISKEY: For having the word “whiskey” in its name, people drink very little of it at
Little Miss Whiskey’s (slushies, anyone?). Correct that with New Holland Distillery’s beer-barrel bourbon
tasting and launch party. Free. 7:30 PM.
Friday, February 8
MARDI GRAS: Is it Mardi Gras already? Too lazy to find out myself. But at
Black Cat, it definitely is—its Carnivale starts with sideshow and burlesque, but also features
three bands, including the gypsy horn stylings of Black Masala. Things will probably
get pretty weird. Tickets ($12) are available online. 9 PM.
EAT: To celebrate its appearance on the CBS reality show
The Job,
the Palm is extending happy hour until 10:30 PM, meaning you’ll get half off appetizers, beer,
wine, and premium liquors. During the show (8 to 9), you’ll also get complimentary
hors d’oeuvres. 5 to 10:30 PM.
DANCE: Music and video get all mashed up at Penn Social’s
Video Killers dance party—you’ll get remixes of all your favorite dance hits, with video projected
up on their massive screens. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of space to move in the
bar’s huge basement. Free. 10 PM.
Saturday, February 9
SHOP: Ideally, you’d make your significant other something heartfelt yourself—but if you’re
craft-nologically challenged, head to Mount Pleasant’s
Handmade Valentine Mart, where more than a dozen local artists will be selling particularly cute handicrafts.
11 AM to 5 PM.
CREATE: Saturday mail service may be ending, but the
National Postal Museum is open and is hosting a Valentine’s Day card-making workshop. Anyone can fold a
piece of paper in half, but the workshop will go a step further, with specialty paper,
Valentine-themed stamps, and typewriters to give your card a touch of old-school class.
Free. Noon to 4 PM.
UNDERWEAR: The annual
Cupid’s Undie Run, which benefits the Children’s Tumor Foundation, starts at 2 PM. It’s sold out, but
you can head to the Capitol to check out the action, cheer on the scantily clad runners,
and maybe donate some money, because you’re not heartless.
SCAVENGE: Tsingtao beer is hosting a
Chinese New Year scavenger hunt all through Chinatown. Details on what it entails are pretty fuzzy, but you can bet
on lots of beer. Tickets ($15) are available online. 1 PM.
FIND LOVE: Stumble around Dupont Circle and hope everyone’s favorite cherub (and alcohol) helps
you find love—even if just for a night—during
Cupid’s Bar Crawl, which hits Irish Whiskey, the Front Page, Public Bar, Madhatter, and more. Each
bar will feature $2 beers, $4 Jack Daniels drinks, and $4 Cupid shots. $15 online
or $20 the day of. 3 to 11 PM.
LEARN: Ever wonder how flamingos get it on? No? Too bad—at
Woo at the Zoo, reproductive psychologist Pierre Comizzoli will talk about animal mating habits.
A cash bar might help make things a bit less awkward. Tickets ($30) are available
online and include one drink and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. 4:30, 6:30, and 8:30
PM.
Sunday, February 10
CELEBRATE: The annual
Chinese New Year parade features dragon floats, dances, kung fu demonstrations, live music, and firecrackers
(YES!) to help you start the year of the snake off right. Free. 2 PM.
EAT: It’s always tough to choose which delicious vendor to get your food from at Union
Market. Luckily with Sunday’s
Taste of the Market, you get to try them all. Chefs from Bibiana, Graffiato, and the Source will use
ingredients from market vendors to whip up tasty bites, Rappahannock River Oysters
will have a raw bar, and Cordial Wines will pour the vino. Tickets ($45) are available
online. 4 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com,
or find him on Twitter @jason_koebler.
