FRIDAY, FEB. 10
POETRY NIGHT: Virginia-based artist Bennie Herron has a lot of outlets for creative expression. One of them is painting, which is why his acrylic works are currently on display at Mason Exhibitions. Another is poetry, which is why he is hosting a Poetry Night at the gallery, featuring music, an artist talk and an open mic. (Mason Exhibitions Arlington; 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.; FREE)
SANKOFA: From the Tulsa Massacre to South Africa Apartheid, SANKOFA! by Taratibu Youth Association tells select stories from the African diaspora through dance. Catch the Black History Month program this weekend, and consider bringing feminine hygiene products to donate to a school in Bonwire, Ghana. (Joe’s Movement Emporium; Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 4 p.m,; $30)
VIERNES DE PLENA: Bad Bunny is arguably the biggest superstar in the world, and his meteoric ascent has put Puerto Rican music on the map. Dive deeper into the Puerto Rican traditions that reggaeton songs like “Después de la Playa” stand on with Viernes de Plena. Enjoy traditional plena music with Los Hijo ‘e Plena, and don’t miss the Puerto Rican snacks and drinks. (Sandy Spring Museum; 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.; $10)
MORE: Sweet Home Café Black History Month Chef’s Table (National Museum of African American History and Culture; 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.; FREE), Hell Is Real Comedy (The Public Option; 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.; FREE), Après Ski: Shrek Dance Party (Wunder Garten; 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.; FREE), The High Ground(Arena Stage; Friday and Saturday 8 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.; $115+)
SATURDAY, FEB. 11
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: Canada does it to celebrate the New Year. Minnesota does it to raise money for the Special Olympics. And Maryland polar bear plunges to raise money for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. If you’re brave enough, sign up to jump into the freezing National Harbor this weekend and raise money to “keep winter cold.” Live in Virginia? Reston has got a polar dip, too. (National Harbor; 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; FREE)
ROCKVILLE LANTERN FESTIVAL: Traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the lunar new year during the full moon, the lantern festival lights up the sky with paper lanterns. This weekend, you have a chance to celebrate at the Rockville Lantern Festival, which will feature a dragon dance, mahjong bingo, story telling, a photo booth and more. (F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; FREE)
CUPID’S UNDIE RUN: Will you take your pants off for a good cause? This weekend, thousands of your neighbors will. Cupid’s Undie Run, a charity event that raises money for neurofibromatosis research, comes to D.C. this Saturday. Runners will strip to their underwear and jog a mile from Union Stage, then celebrate with a huge dance party. (Union Stage; 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; $45)
RUG AND TEXTILE APPRECIATION: The Textile Museum is coming to your living room this Saturday with their Rug and Textile Appreciation Morning series. The theme this weekend is Swedish textiles from 1680 to 1850. Log onto Zoom for a lesson from Swedish collector Gunnar Nilsson on the bold, bright creations of Swedish textile makers. (Virtual; 1 p.m.; FREE)
MARDI GRAS VALENTINE’S POP-UP: This coming Tuesday is Valentine’s Day. One week later is Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. At District Made Spirits, you can celebrate both. Head to the distillery for Ravenhook Bakehouse’s Mardi Gras Valentine’s Pop-Up, featuring king cakes and hand-painted heart cookies. (District Made Spirits; 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.; FREE)
FREDERICK DOUGLASS’ BIRTHDAY: Head over to Capital Turnaround this weekend for the Frederick Douglass Birthday Celebration, which will feature music by the Jubilee Voices of the Washington Revels, performances by the student winners of the Douglass Oratorical Contest, and a discussion that explores the question: What place did Frederick Douglass call home? (Capital Turnaround; 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.; FREE)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH TRIVIA: Assemble the trivia team for Black History Month Trivia hosted by East City Bookshop. This weekend’s theme is The New Canon: Black Fiction Hits, featuring questions about books from 2015 to now. Is history more your thing? Come back next weekend for trivia on Black classics. (East City Bookshop; 5 p.m.; FREE)
SUCKER FOR LOVE: “There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day,” according to Story District, than with their Sucker for Love storytelling event. This Saturday night, hear local storytellers share tales of modern love’s trials and tribulations in this 15th anniversary event. (Lincoln Theatre; 8 p.m.; $25+)
MORE: Coffee and Canvas Art Market (metrobar; 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; FREE), From the Archives with Love (Tudor Place; 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.; $30), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Kennedy Center; 1:30 p.m.; $199), Breathwork and Yoga (Eaton DC; 3 p.m.; $44+), Valentine Artisan Market (Capitol Cider House; 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.; FREE), The Lava on Iceland (Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital; 4 p.m.; $10), Sweet Honey in the Rock (McLean Community Center; 7 p.m.; $45), Joke Sistas (Black Box Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $25+), Valentine’s Day Comedy Show (DC Arts Center; 8 p.m.; $15), Cinema Hearts (The Runaway; 8:30 p.m.; $12+)
SUNDAY, FEB. 12
LOVER’S EYE PAINTING: In the 1700s, it was popular for people to keep miniature paintings depicting the eye of a spouse, loved one or child. This weekend, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Arlington is bringing the tradition back. Enroll in the Lover’s Eye Painting Valentine’s Workshop and leave with your own sentimental painting. (Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; $75)
UTOPIA PROJECT: What does utopia look like? That’s the question that activists and artists attempt to answer in the Utopia Project at the Anacostia Community Museum. This Sunday, joining Sixth & I for a field trip to the exhibit, where visitors will receive a guided tour. (Anacostia Community Museum; 2 p.m.; $12+)
RIHANNA > FOOTBALL: St. Vincent believes that wine and Rihanna are a whole lot more fun than football. If you agree, join them for their Wine & Rihanna celebration this Sunday. The Super Bowl won’t be on, except for the most important part: Rihanna’s halftime performance. (St. Vincent Wine; 5:30 p.m.; $69)
MORE: Love Blooms (indigro plant design; 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; FREE), Historic Alleyways Walking Tour (Blagden Alley; 2 p.m.; $25), Artist Talk: Alison Elizabeth Taylor (National Portrait Gallery; 3 p.m.; FREE), Kimbra (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $30)
