Thursday, February 19
DANCE: The middle of winter, just after a snowstorm, seems like an odd time to have a cowboy party, but let’s pretend we’re down in hot ol’ Texas anyway. Chinese Disco is hosting Daisy Dukes and Cowboy Boots, featuring $4 rails all night. Make sure you wear some leggings or something, at least to the bar. Free. 9 PM.
LITERATURE: Kramerbooks hosts an Erotica Slam, in which authors, poets, and pretty much anyone who’s willing are invited to share love stories, sexual encounters, dirty poems, or anything else that might fit the format, as long as it’s three minutes or less. Anyone who reads will get a prize, and there will be free popcorn, plus drinks for that liquid courage. $5. 7 PM.
THEATER: More than a few of you have probably already seen the Fifty Shades of Grey movie. If you still require more, however, you can see a musical parody of it at Warner Theatre. Tickets ($47 to $58) are available online. 8 PM.
Friday, February 20
BEER: The craft beer renaissance has brought a lot of love for IPAs, but stouts don’t always get the same recognition. Change all that at Black Squirrel’s Don’t Doubt the Stout, where you can try 13 different chocolate, coffee, milk, and other various stouts. Free. 5 PM.
INTERNET MEMES COME ALIVE: Laser Cat is a meme. It’s also now a 20-foot inflatable crowdsourced art installation … thing. It’ll be at Yards Park this weekend, along with a beer garden and deejays, including Thievery Corporation’s Eric Hilton. Space might have filled up, but you can always head over there and hope for the best. 8 PM.
DANCE: Discnotheque is a dance party at DC9 in which you cannot use your phone and, in fact, get in free if you decide to check it into a secure room. Can you do it? For a WHOLE NIGHT? Also, drinks are $2 each between 10:30 and 11:30 for you early arrivers. $2 before midnight, $5 after. 10:30 PM.
Saturday, February 21
EAT: It’s too late to enter Hill Country’s second annual chili cookoff, but it’s not too late to go there and eat lots and lots of chili. You can try ten kinds for a dollar apiece, and there will also be drink specials. Maybe bring some Tums. $10. 1 PM.
COMEDY: Myq Kaplan is a very funny guy who has killed it on Last Comic Standing, Conan, and Letterman. He’ll be at Bier Baron, amongst all the bier. Tickets ($12) are available online. 6:30 PM.
FILM: DC Shorts screens winners from past years and some films that didn’t make it to the festival but instead went on to win Oscars. As usual, the films will be screened at the US Navy Memorial Heritage Center, and ticket prices are very reasonable. Tickets ($15) are available online. 7:30 and 9:30 PM.
THEATER: Play in a Day is the 48 Hour Film Festival of theater (with half the hours). Six professional companies from around the area will write and stage a ten-minute play in 24 hours, you get to watch the artistry/madness that ensues. Tickets ($15) are available online. 8 PM.
Sunday, February 22
FASHION: It’s DC Fashion Week—check out our preview of all the stylish events here. A highlight: the International Couture Collections Show at the Carnegie Library, featuring looks from all around the world. Tickets ($70) are available online. 5 PM.
COMEDY: The Upright Citizens Brigade’s touring company is coming back through Sixth & I Synagogue. The crew is among the best improv troupes in the country, and their shows are reliably hilarious. Tickets ($20) are available online. 6 PM.
OSCARS: Speaking of the Oscars, there are a slew of watch parties all around the city. Might I suggest Commisary’s? It starts early, ends late, and features a $3-to-$7 cocktail and appetizer happy hour during the red carpet portion of the evening. There are also Oscar-themed menu items, prizes, and a special prix-fixe menu. Free. 4 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.
