Photo by fredrickking1979

FRIDAY

CELEBRATE CARNIVALE: Just because you’re not in New Orleans doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate Carnivale. Tonight the Black Cat (1811 14th Street NW) is throwing a Mardi Gras Carnivale party, where it will have music (Jonny Grave & The Tombstones headlining), burlesque, sideshow talents, and general mayhem. 9 p.m. on the mainstage. $12.

WATCH A MOVIE, WATCH THE STARS: The Friends of Arlington’s Planetarium are putting on the first-ever movie night at the planetarium (1426 N. Quincy Street, Arlington), and they’re showing the most appropriate movie possible: 1997’s Contact, starring Jodie Foster. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 for members, $5 for non-members.

SATURDAY

PREPARE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY: Though it’s soon closing, Mt. Pleasant’s Nana (3068 Mount Pleasant Street NW) is hosting a Handmade Valentine Mart today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. After that (or as an alternative), make your loved ones some handmade cards at the National Postal Museum’s (2 Massachusetts Avenue NE) Valentine’s Day Card Workshop from 12 to 4 p.m.

CUPID’S UNDIE RUN: If the No-Pants Metro Ride wasn’t enough for you, strip down to your skivvies and join in the annual Cupid’s Undie Run. Sadly, if you aren’t already registered or willing to kick in big money for a VIP spot, the run is sold-out. That doesn’t mean you can’t be a spectator, though—stand along First Street SE, Independence Avenue SE or Pennsylvania Avenue SE to see people run around in their underwear for a good cause.

WOO AT THE ZOO: Sheesh. Even the National Zoo is getting in on the Valentine’s Day craze, holding “Woo at the Zoo,” an event where attendees will learn about “animal mating, dating and reproductive habits in an honest and humorous forum.” Food will be available, as well as a cash bar. The talks are at 4:30 p.m., 6:30 and 8:30. Tickets are $20 for members of Friends of the National Zoo, $30 for non-members.

SUNDAY

CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR: Happy 4711! Today revelers will take to the streets of Chinatown to celebrate the Lunar New Year with the traditional parade of floats, Chinese dragons and firecrackers. The parade starts at 2 p.m. at Sixth and I Streets NW, and will proceed to east along I Street, south down Eighth Street, west on G Street, north on Seventh Street, and end on Sixth and H Streets. Free.

QUIRKY MUSIC: It’s really hard to keep secrets and surprises in the age of both oversharing and easy access to information, but The Residents, who play in costume (the eyeballs are perhaps the most famous, but they’ve also performed in bunny costumes) and change up their stylistic approach with every performance, have managed to keep their identities a complete secret. See whatever oddity they’ve concocted at Sixth & I (600 I Street NW) tonight at 7 p.m. $25 in advance, $28 day of show.

>> For more, check out the Weekly Music Agenda, Popcorn & Candy, This Week in Jazz, and This Week in Hip-Hop.