If, like me, you’ve been glued to the Olympics for the past two days, you won’t mind that I’m posting my Washington Times column a day late. I’m not a sports fan at all, but I’ve always enjoyed the Olympics. When I was little, I loved staying up to watch the ice skating–especially when my Mom and I would convince my Dad to go pick up Wendy’s for the late-night women’s finals. And although I’d rather wear flip flops for the rest of the winter than snowboard or cross-country ski myself, I’m mesmerized by the athletes–both from the United States, as well as other countries I’ve visited and loved.

If you don’t feel the same, however, or if you just need to get out of the house (and away from the kitchen cabinets), I’ve got some excellent picks in this week’s “Get Out: This Week’s Pocket Picks.” I’m particularly eager to see “American Cool” at the National Portrait Gallery, as well as check out the Woolly Mammoth’s newest play with my subscription that I received for Christmas. Check out these events and others in the Washington Times print edition, in PDF format, or below.

The Washington Times 

Get Out: The Week’s Pocket Picks for February 7, 2014

By Samantha Sault

Pick of the Pack: American Cool

The British are proper. The French have that certain je ne sais quoi. And Americans? We’re cool. But, what exactly does that mean? You know “cool” when you see it, but according to the Smithsonian’s latest exhibit, it’s specifically defined as “rebellious self-expression, charisma, edge, and mystery.” Opening Friday at the National Portrait Gallery, “American Cool” explores the idea of “cool” and its distinctly American roots through photographs of the coolest icons in our history–from the first distinctly “cool” people like Fred Astaire and Dorothy Parker, to counterculture icons like Andy Warhol and Patti Smith, to modern-day rebels including Jay-Z and Jon Stewart. Included are 94 other artists, writers, film stars, sports legends, and political activists who contributed to American culture. Some of America’s coolest photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, and Diane Arbus are displayed, and music by some of the featured musicians is played the galleries. Through Sept. 7 at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, 8th St. & F St. NW. 202/633/1000. Web: npg.si.edu.

Holiday: Valentine’s Day at the Postal Museum

This Valentine’s Day, you might get a Snapchat or Tweet—or, if you’re lucky, a romantic email. But there’s still nothing that will make you feel as special as receiving a Valentine card or handwritten letter. This week, the National Postal Museum will host two events to explore the lost art of sending snail mail to your Valentine. On Saturday, the museum will offer a family-friendly card-making workshop, with all the supplies (including Valentine stamps) to send handmade greetings to your loved one. And on Thursday, the museum will host an early Valentine’s Day celebration–an after-hours event for ages 21+ featuring DJ Trayze, dancing, a photo booth, themed crafts, and more. Don’t miss a special presentation by Story League, a storytelling troupe that will perform skits based on the Craigslist “Missed Connections” website—and maybe make a connection of your own over the bar. Card-making workshop on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and party on Thursday, Feb. 13 at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. 202/633-1000. Web: postalmuseum.si.edu.

Theater: We Are Proud to Present

If you get tongue-tied around your Valentine, you better rehearse if you plan to invite him or her to see the Woolly Mammoth’s latest play. Opening Monday, “We Are Proud to Present a Presentation about the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known As South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915” (or “We Are Proud to Present” for short) follows a group of three black actors and three white actors as they attempt to tell the true story of the German occupation of South West Africa. In 1884, the Germans colonized the area, now called Namibia, and relations between the original inhabitants and their colonizers were strained, to say the least. In 1904, the Herero tribe rebelled, leading to as many as 100,000 tribesmen dead at the hands of the Germans or due to exile in the desert. As the actors become invested in the overarching story, the characters’ own stories and secrets emerge—and tensions arise. Through March 9 at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St. NW. 202/393-3939. Web: woollymammoth.net.

Exhibit: Monuments Men & the National Gallery of Art

“The Monuments Men,” starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, and Cate Blanchett, opens Friday in movie theaters—but before you see the film, get inside knowledge about the real art-experts-turned-officers in the Monuments, Fine Arts & Archives program and how they worked  with the National Gallery of Art during World War II. On Tuesday, the Gallery will debut an exhibit that tells the story about how they lobbied for the program before the war and worked behind the scenes to help the officers save hundreds of European masterpieces that would have been stolen or destroyed. The exhibit includes photographs, documents, and other never-before-exhibited items to tell this important story. On March 16, the Gallery will host a free lecture with curators and Lynn H. Nichols, author of “The Rape of Europa: The Fate of Europe’s Treasures in the Third Reich and the Second World War.” Through Sept. 1 at the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art, 9^th St. & Constitution Ave. NW. 202/737-4215. Web: nga.gov.

Cocktails: Speakeasy Bash

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson vetoed the Volstead Act, otherwise known as the National Prohibition Act. Congress overrode his veto, ushering in a 13-year ban on the sale, production and importation of alcohol. On Thursday, cocktail aficionados can attend a speakeasy-style party at the Kalorama mansion where Wilson and his wife lived after the White House. Enjoy live jazz by Laissez Foure, swing dancing demonstrations by the Jam Cellar, a 1920s costume contest, and prohibition-era cocktails featuring Sloop Betty Vodka, which is produced at Blackwater Distilling in Maryland. Get a close look at the home and its collections of furniture and art, including the Wilsons’ wine cellar that’s rarely open tot he public. Proceeds benefit the Woodrow Wilson House’s programs. Thursday at the President Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S St. NW. 202/387-4062. Web: woodrowwilsonhouse.org.

© Copyright 2014 The Washington Times, LLC and Samantha Sault