Thursday, February 5
MUSIC: The Dr. Martens store has brought a certain casual ’90s style to Georgetown that was sorely lacking. To double down on it, the store is hosting Ex Hex, a local, all-female garage rock band that’s super-catchy and fun. They’re playing for free, but show up early. Free. 6 PM.
DANCE: Great Good Fine OK is how I describe a lot of things that seemed really fun at the time but actually ended up being kind of lame once I thought about it. It’s also the name of a very danceable, rock/synth band sort of akin to Passion Pit. They’re playing at DC9 for $13—see them before they blow up. Tickets are available online. 8 PM.
Friday, February 6
DANCE: We’re working on opening up the border with Cuba, so it’s probably a good time to learn your Cuban dance moves so you don’t embarrass yourself when you get to Havana. Dance Place is hosting a Cuban Dance Social class and dance night, where you’ll learn to move like the best Cubanos. Tickets ($12) are available online. 8 PM.
MAGIC: I’m generally pretty skeptical of magic shows—but add some danger to the magic and you’ve got me. David London and two other magicians present Magic and Mayhem at Black Cat, which features stunts, magic, comedy, illusions, and more. Plus beer. Tickets ($12) are available online. 9 PM.
VALENTINE’S DAY: Ever look at old black-and-white photos of your grandparents and think love was much better before Instagram? You’re not alone. The Manor is hosting Vintage Valentine, where you can pick up vintage clothes and gifts, and get your hair and makeup done all olde-timey. Tickets ($30) are available online. 8 PM.
Saturday, February 7
YOGA: Yoga can be an expensive hobby if you don’t know where to look for it (or you don’t do it at your house with some YouTube videos). Luckily, you can head over to the US Botanic Garden for its free yoga gathering every Saturday this month. Afterward, take some time to literally smell the roses. Free. 10:30 AM.
DRINK: A quasi-holiday means it’s time for a wild Dupont Circle bar crawl. Dress up in red or pink or wear hearts or whatever you do for the Cupid Bar Crawl, which will hit Front Page, Public, Irish Whiskey, Sign of the Whale, etc. There are $2 Yuenglings, $3 vodkas, $4 shots, and food deals all day. Tickets ($20) are available online. 3 to 11 PM.
ART: Pike and Rose in Bethesda is hosting its Prava Art Festival, featuring two floors of art, 20 artists, installations, a performance by the Charm City Roller Girls, light shows, and other fun things. Best of all, it’s free. 6 PM to 2 AM.
Sunday, February 8
COFFEE: Sure, you drink coffee, but do you know anything about it? Learn from the best in the biz at Sixth & I’s coffee talk, featuring baristas, brewers, roasters, and other coffee experts from Compass, MadCap, and Counter Culture. Tickets ($15) are available online 11 AM to 1 PM.
SHOP: Southern Efficiency, Eat the Rich, and Mockingbird Hill on Seventh Street are all hosting a Treat Yo’Self holiday traders market, featuring local artisans and businesses, and, of course, lots of drinks, food, and music. If you don’t have a valentine (or even if you do), it’s a chance to splurge a bit … on yo’self. Free. 3:30 to 8:30 PM.
Know of something cool going on around town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com, or find him on Twitter at @jason_koebler.
