Good day, DC! Black History Month begins this week with author talks and guided history tours at the Smithsonian. Plus, you can dive into the Valentine’s spirit at a number of love commemorations including the Phillips After 5 art party, and a chocolate festival.   Best Things to Do This Week and Weekend February 2–February 8 Black History Month at NMAAHC. From browsing new exhibits and taking guided tours, to listening in on author talks, there are many ways to commemorate Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Discover the history of five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the museum’s recently opened “At the Vanguard” exhibit throughout the month. This week, there’s a curator tour about American military history on Wednesday, and a Harlem Renaissance book talk with writer A’Lelia Bundles on Thursday (exhibit closes July 19 , free, events require registration, Smithsonian NMAAHC). Phillips After 5. Phillips After 5 hosts a Valentine’s Fete where attendees can celebrate self-love with live music, craft workshops, and a happy hour for singles. Whether you are on a date or having a night out with friends, there’s an artsy activity for everyone to enjoy (Thurs, $20, Dupont Circle). The World to Come at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Check out Playwright Ali Viterbi’s new production about seniors facing an apocalypse that could end their world. The humorous world premiere narrates an award-winning story of resilience and friendship (Tues through March 1, $41+, pay-what-you-can tickets available, Penn Quarter).  Chocolate Lovers Festival. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Virginia’s three-day Chocolate Lovers Festival, where you can sip hot cocoa, make your own chocolate bars, and taste treats from vendors (Fri-Sun, free admission, $1 for treat tokens, Fairfax). Related February Culture Guide: 45 Things to Do in the DC Area Want More Things to Do? Arts and culture: Sit in on four movie screenings at the library’s Black Film Festival (every Tues through February, free, MLK Library). Novelist Lily Meyer chats about her new title The End of Romance at Politics and Prose (Tues, free, Northwest DC). Create a Valentine’s Day card and make a plant arrangement at Rewild (Thurs, $65, Capitol Hill). National Gallery Nights returns this month for another season of after-hour art strolls and dancing. You can grab a lottery ticket to the opening party, “Art Under the Stars” (February 12, free, lottery open through Thurs, National Gallery of Art). Make polymer clay earrings with your besties at this Galentine’s workshop (Fri, $65, Alexandria). Community and heritage: Learn how to do research on historic homes with the Cleveland Park Historical Society (Tues, free, Cleveland Park). Sit in on The Love Lecture—a conversation on the philosophy of love, sex, and friendship (Wed, $14, Capitol Hill). Theater and shows: Thrill-seekers and fans of Paranormal Activity can catch the ghostly new staging at Harman Hall before it closes (through Sat, $43+, Penn Quarter). It’s the final week of iconic dance troupe Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s nine-day residency (through Sun, $53+, Warner Theatre). Check out the ghostly world premiere of John Doe at Keegan Theatre (Thurs through February 22, $55, Dupont Circle). Laugh out loud at Busboys and Poet’s live improv comedy show (Thurs, $28+, Takoma). Music and concerts: Slow dance at Femme Fatale’s queer RB night (Thurs, free, waitlist tickets available, Shaw). Calling all 30 year olds to the dance floor at the 9:30 Club (Fri, $26+, Shaw). Don your cowboy boots to this country showdown headlined by DC’s own Heaven Forbid band (Fri, waitlist tickets available, H Street Corridor). Local punk groups will rock out at Rhizome (Fri, $15, Takoma). Bites and beverages: Sip six variety of coffee roasts at Vigilante Coffee Company’s tasting (Fri, $7, Hyattsville). There’s bottomless tacos, margaritas, and Super Bowl on the big screen at El Tamarindo (Sun, $65, Adams Morgan ). It’s Super Bowl Sunday at Alexandria Bier Garden; watch the game while enjoying food and drink deals (Sun, $8, Alexandria). Watch the Seahawks and Patriots face off inside Hi Lawn rooftop’s heated dome (Sun, $13, Union Market). Things to do with kids: Youngsters can join a sing-along and story time at Planet Word (Sun, free, Downtown). If you enjoyed these events, please don’t forget to share this post with a friend on social media, and sign up for our newsletter for more things to do.The post 24 Things to Do in the DC Area This Week and Weekend first appeared on Washingtonian. ...read more read less