MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14
CHOCOLATE HUNT: Head to the O Museum in The Mansion for a Roaring 20’s-themed champagne and chocolate hunt in honor of Valentine’s Day. Grab your flapper dresses, tuxedos, and top hots to enjoy a treasure hunt and self-guided tour of the museum’s 100 rooms, with complimentary chocolate, strawberries and champagne. (The Mansion on O, 4 p.m., $60)
DOUGLASS COMMEMORATION: Arena Stage presents a week dedicated to the historical legend Frederick Douglass and the Douglass family. Tune into virtual events throughout the day, like a pop-up virtual exhibition, a presentation on the Black press in D.C., a Fulbright poetry discussion, or conversations on photography and Afro-futurism. Or head to the Kreeger Theater for an in-person commemoration in word and song for Douglass’ birthday, with special guests like Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. (Kreeger Theater, 7:30 p.m., $50)
MORE: Kiss & Tell Valentine’s Day Comedy (Arlington Drafthouse, 6:30 p.m., $20), Valentine’s Day Showcase (DC Improv, 7:30 p.m., $25), My Funny Valentine Featuring Tony Sands as Frank Sinatra (The Hamilton, 8 p.m., $15), Romantic Paint & Dance for Couples (Bethesda Studio, 6:30 p.m., $190 per couple)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15
WOMEN AT WORK: The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives hosts a virtual panel focused on how women have been treated in the workplace historically and today. Hear some stories from women at work in STEAM who dealt with critical moments in history, like the ongoing pandemic. Panelists include Julie Su, deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor, and Jennifer Klein, Executive Director of the White House Gender Policy Council. (5 p.m., FREE)
HEART CUSTOMIZATION: Keep the Valentine’s Day spirit going with a sign design class at Blue Dyer Distilling Co. in Waldorf, Md. Choose your stencil and message to paint a 9-inch heart sign, and enjoy any food or drink for extra. (Blue Dyer Distilling Co., 6 p.m., $23)
MORE: Stand-Up Showcase (Maxwell Park Navy Yard, 7 p.m., $5), Transmasculine & Nonbinary Social Hour (DC Area Transmasculine Society at Red Bear Brewing Company, 6 p.m., FREE)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
SQUASH OPEN: Be a spectator at the Squash On Fire Open and don’t miss out on seeing 40 of the world’s best players in action. Get tickets to view individual matches at the courts, and make sure to stop by the cafe for a bite to eat. (Squash on Fire, 11 a.m., $15-$50)
FULL MOON WALK: Gaze at the beauty of the full moon on a walk with the Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium. Meet astronomer Jennifer Bartlett at Bluemont Park. The group will also stroll along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail to observe the sun setting and the full moon rising. (Bluemont Park, 5:30 p.m., FREE)
POLAR PLUNGE: Support the Special Olympics DC chapter at the pre-polar plunge happy hour at The Brig beer garden just south of Capitol Hill. Learn how you can support the Young Professionals Council while sipping warm spirits, and perhaps even sign up for the polar plunge on Saturday, Feb. 26. (The Brig, 6:30 p.m., FREE)
MORE: Grassroots Comedy DC’s Super Spectacular Anniversary Comedy Show For the Comedic Resistance (Union Stage, 7:30 p.m., $25), Marlon James in conversation with Dr. Imani M. Cheers (Sixth and I, 7 p.m., $12 virtual $18 in-person), National Museum of Women in the Arts’ Virtual Happy Hour: Artemisia Gentileschi (5:30 p.m., FREE), Black History Month Trivia (7 p.m., suggested donation $10)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17
FUTURE BODIES: The Smithsonian Arts & Industries Building continues its FUTURES exhibit with the latest installment, Tell Me More: Our Future Bodies. In this special event, learn about inventions like the Exosuit, designed to make the human body faster, stronger, and more durable. Experts will demonstrate the Exosuit and other products. (Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building or virtual, 6:30 p.m., FREE)
FILM FEST: The Smithsonian’s Mother Tongue Film Festival kicks off with its opening night lineup. The main event is the U.S. premiere of Caroline Monnet’s debut feature Bootlegger, about a student who returns to her Canadian reserve and becomes enmeshed in a local debate over liquor sales. Stick around for the world premiere of “Ixim Ulew,” the latest music video from Maya hip-hop artist Tz’utu Kan. Tune into the virtual festival, celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films from around the world, through March 4. (6 p.m., FREE)
LGBTQ JAM: Join Washington Improv Theater for a high-fun, low-stress jam for LGBTQ improvisers. Improv enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome to be silly, practice a skill, or connect with new and old friends. (Source Theater, 7 p.m., $5 suggested donation)
MORE: Virtual Spy Chat with Chris Costa with Special Guest Debra Evans Smith (International Spy Museum, 12 p.m., FREE), “Paper Light” Artist Talk featuring Claudia Smigrod and curator Wendy A. Grossman (American University Museum, 7 p.m., virtual, FREE), Paysages Europa | Piano Concert (Embassy of France, 7:30 p.m., $25), Group Art Show – Valentine’s Day (WHINO, 7 p.m., FREE)
