Photo by Nikoo’s Photos
FOOD & DRINK: If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just overindulged during DC Meat Week, then Meat-Free Week is for you. It kicks off tonight with a BBQ Party at Sticky Fingers (1370 Park Road NW), featuring “BBQ seitan, mashed potatoes, purple slaw, corn bread, and a special Meat-Free Week-inspired cupcake for only $14.99.” 7:00-9:00 p.m.
>> This week 20 restaurants in Alexandria are competing in the 4th Annual Cherry Challenge, in anticipation of George Washington’s upcoming birthday, preparing cherry cocktails, entrees, and dessert. Try them out and vote on your favorite.
BEER: Celebrate the 11th Annual Strong Beer Month with 21st Amendment and Magnolia Pub and Brewery by enjoying 12 beers (not all in one sitting) that are between 8% and 12% abv. If you complete the challenge you receive a commerorative glass.
COMEDY: The Mutts Gone Nuts comedy dog act takes on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (2700 F Street NW) tonight for some four-legged fun. 6:00 p.m. Free.
Coming up this week…
TUESDAY: Crystal Couture kicks off Tuesday in Crystal City (1750 Crystal Drive Arlington VA) tonight for five nights of fashion, including runway shows, shopping, makeovers, and more. 6:00-10:00 p.m. Free. Or, head to Ladies’ Night at the 5th Street Ace Hardware (1055 5th Street NW) and learn how to do-it-yourself through demos and workshops covering “everything from starting seeds and unclogging a drain to changing a bike tire and personal training.” There will also be a bunch of raffle items and prizes. 6:00-8:00 p.m. Free. Though another option is to check out George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic at the 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW). 7:00 p.m. $45.
WEDNESDAY: AFI Silver Theatre (8633 Colesville Road Silver Spring, MD) is hosting a series of Screen Valentines: Great Movie Romances through March 7. Tonight, see The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. 6:30 p.m. $11.50.
THURSDAY: The ACTIVATE event from RAW:natural born artists is a showcase of 30 local artists presenting their visual art, film, fashion, hair and makeup, photography, and more at the Cafe Asia (1720 I Street NW) this Thursday from 8 p.m. to midnight. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Also this Thursday, the International Wine & Food Festival kicks off with a Sommelier Showdown at the Ronald Reagan Building (1300 Pennslvania Avenue NW) from 6:00-9:00 p.m.. Tickets: $150.
FRIDAY: Start your weekend off with YogAmore (a yoga class for singles), the Cupid’s Not Stupid cocktail event (part of the International Wine & Food Festival), Nakatani Gong Orchestra on the Millennium Stage, or the Spy at Night event at the International Spy Museum.
SATURDAY: Get ready for Valentine’s Day by picking up something unique and locally made for your sweetie at Nana’s (3068 Mount Pleasant Street NW) Handmade Valentine Mart this Saturday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. If you’re looking for something naughtier, hunt out nudes and other artwork at Watson Adventures’ The Naked Scavenger Hunt at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (F Street and 8th Street NW) either at 1:00 or 4:00 p.m. ($24.50) Saturday. Or, learn how the animals do it at the National Zoo’s (3001 Connecticut Avenue NW) Woo at the Zoo event, which features talks, a cash bar, and the opportunity to decorate a Naughty Bits brownie (4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., or 8:30 p.m. $11 members, $22 nonmembers). Of course if Valentine’s Day makes you cringe, you may be more interested in the cautionary tales explored in the Crime Museum’s (575 7th Street NW) Crimes of Passion tour Saturday through the 14th ($45 per couple, includes tour, handcuffs, LOVE tattoon, and a special treat).
SUNDAY: Take a 2 hour walk through Georgetown this Sunday on the DC Metro Chocolate Tour.. You’ll make multiple stops, sampling truffles, cupcakes, choclates, and other sweets. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $48.
