MONDAY, FEB. 12
PROFS AND PINTS: This week’s lecture is all about love. Laura Papish, an associate professor of philosophy at George Washington University, will explore the history of love — from how the Ancient Greeks thought about erotic love to how it manifests in films and pop culture. (Penn Social; 6 p.m.; $14.31)
HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE: Learn about chocolate’s delicious history from a food historian. Francine Segan will talk about how chocolate made its way around the world, and how it is transformed from a bitter bean to a beloved treat. After the program, attendees can sample fine imported Italian chocolates. (S. Dillon Ripley Center; 6:45 p.m.; $45 Smithsonian Members, $55 for non members)
LUNAR NEW YEAR: The Lunar New Year celebration continues this week. Hospitality AAPI is hosting a fundraiser for the 1882 Foundation, a nonprofit working to strengthen D.C.’s Chinatown. The ticket gives you access to unlimited drinks, food from award-winning chefs, and a lion dance performance. (Lost Generation Brewing Company; 7:30 p.m.; $48.88)
LUNDI GRAS: Start the Mardi Gras celebration early with St. Vincent Wine Bar. Ticket holders get a welcome cocktail, beads, and a raffle ticket for some prizes, and live music. Gumbo will also be available for purchase. (St. Vincent Wine; 5 p.m.; $15+)
MORE:Red Sammy (Songbyrd; 7 p.m.; $15), Spit Dat in Residence (Woolly Mammoth Theatre; 8 p.m.; FREE), Ron Pope (The Hamilton Live; 8 p.m; $20), Machine Head (The Fillmore; 6:30 p.m.; $46), Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $47.50), Late Night Stand Up Comedy (Sudhouse DC; 9:45 p.m.; FREE)
TUESDAY, FEB. 13
AIN’T TOO PROUD: Learn about the life and legacy of one of the greatest R&B groups of all time. Ain’t Too Proud, which explores how the Temptations rose to fame, will be at the Kennedy Center until Feb. 18. (Kennedy Center; 7:30 p.m.; $49+)
PALENTINES YOGA: Reunion Hot Yoga has a special reduced-price class this Tuesday for “Palentine’s Day.” Those interested can either attend in person or watch the livestream. (Reunion Hot Yoga or virtual; 6:30 p.m.; $5-10)
CRAZY IN LOVE TRIVIA: The National Portrait Gallery’s first trivia night of 2024 is Tuesday. In honor of the holiday, the questions will be all about romance, heartbreak, and love songs. (National Portrait Gallery; 5 p.m.; FREE)
MORE:Valentine’s-themed Cookie Class (Lost Boy Cider; 6:30 p.m.; $68), Valentine’s Day Comedy Show (POP Fizz Bar; 7 p.m.; $10), Asking for a Friend with Rhaina Cohen and Dr. Marisa Franco (Sixth & I and virtual; 7 p.m.; $10 for virtual and $15 for in-person), Bread & Roses Black Labor History Month (Busboys and Poets Takoma; 7 p.m.; FREE), Softcult (Black Cat; 7:30 p.m.; $22), All New: New Material Show (Hotbed; 8 p.m.; FREE), Divine Intervention screening (Suns Cinema; 7 p.m.; $12), Ron Pope (The Hamilton; 8 p.m.; $25.51+)
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14
VALENTINE’S DAY POP UP: Amazon and MoCA Arlington are hosting a Valentine’s Day Pop-Up at Met Park. The pop-up will feature vendors, arts and crafts projects, and a festive installation. (525 14th St. S; 11 a.m.; FREE)
DC BIKE PARTY: The beloved cyclist group is hosting a Valentine’s Day treat. On Wednesday, the bikers are setting out to draw a two-square mile giant heart across DC — and anyone with a bike is welcome. (Dupont Circle; 7:30 p.m.; FREE)
WORST DATE EVER: For the sixth year, local daters will share their bad date stories in Story District’s Worst Date Ever: A Valentine’s Day Contest. Audience members will get the chance to vote for who has the worst story, and the person with the worst one will get the aptly titled “Golden Plunger.” (Howard Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $35)
MORE:Valentine’s Day Secret Tour (The Mansion on O Street; various times; $40), Galentine’s Card Making (Shop Made in DC Georgetown; 6 p.m.; $55), Deap Vally (Black Cat; 6 p.m.; $22+), Umphrey’s McGee (9:30 Club; 7 p.m.; $90), After Life screening (McLean Community Center; 6:30 p.m.; FREE), BAD Singalong: Love & Hate, Breakups & Makeups (Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar; 7 p.m.; FREE), Tony Sands (The Hamilton Live; 8 p.m. $15+), The Ultimate Queer Game Show (DC Arts Center; 8:30 p.m.; $10)
THURSDAY, FEB. 15
SOFTLY, SOFTLY: Artist and Howard University professor Maria Fenton presents “Softly Softly.” Consisting of multiple artistic mediums, the exhibition explores to depict the experience of Black women and their seemingly mythic composure. (Joe’s Movement Emporium; 7 p.m.; $10)
WHERE WE BELONG: In this solo piece, Mohegan theater-maker Madeline Sayet chronicles her journey and experience in the U.K. as she pursues a PhD in Shakespeare. The show, in which Sayet traces another journey by her Native ancestors in the 1700s, runs until March 10. (Folger Theatre; 7:30 p.m.; $20)
CAMP BARKER: Long before there was Garrison Elementary School near Logan Circle, there was on that same site Camp Barker: a Civil War era contraband camp that eventually housed formerly enslaved and free African Americans. Now, CulturalDC is memorializing the space by commissioning a 6-foot wax replica of the Lincoln Memorial, created by local artist Sandy Williams IV. The replica, which is the third in Williams’ wax monument series, will be on display from Thursday until Sept. 30. (Garrison Elementary; celebration at 3:30 p.m.; FREE)
MORE:Ray Nayler (People’s Book; 6 p.m.; FREE), Thursday Night Laughs (Cafe Saint-Ex; 7 p.m; $6+), Parasite Nurse/Important Hair/musyne/Weapons Envelope (Rhizome DC; 7 p.m.; $10), Desperate Measures (Constellation Theatre Company; 8 p.m.; $15), Lincoln Trio (The Mansion at Strathmore; 7:30 p.m.; $35), Anti-Valentine’s Broken Hearts Ball (The Pocket; 7 p.m.; $15+), Art After Hours (Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art; 5 p.m.; FREE), The Sound She Saw screening (National Portrait Gallery; 5:30 p.m; FREE)
