I’m posting this a little late, so you missed my last-minute Valentine’s Day pick, but I’ve got a number of openings and other events in case you’ve got cabin fever on this holiday weekend. And me? I’m heading West for SOURCING at MAGIC and meetings. I’m usually much more productive on the road, so stay tuned here and on my Twitter account for updates on fashion and textile trends, and maybe a few cocktails,  from Vegas. In the meantime, check out my column in Friday’s print edition of the Washington Times, in PDF format, and below.

The Washington Times

Get Out: The Week’s Pocket Picks for February 14, 2014

By Samantha Sault

Pick of the Pack: Passion of the Empress: Catherine the Great’s Art Patronage

Olympics organizers may have glossed over decades of communist rule during last week’s opening ceremony in Sochi, Russia, but they did accurately portray Russia’s contributions to the arts in a colorful performance. For those contributions, Moscow can thank Catherine the Great, who ruled from 1762 until her death in 1796 during the period now considered Russia’s Golden Age for arts and culture. The czarina was devoted to developing a distinctly Russian style of artwork, and worked to secure St. Petersburg’s reputation as a cultural center. Throughout her rule, she commissioned paintings, decorative pieces, and liturgical artwork made of gold, silver, porcelain, and jewels. Today, several of those pieces belong to Washington’s Hillwood Museum, which boasts the largest collection of Russian imperial art outside Russia. (Hillwood heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post was known for her love of ornate Faberge eggs from the period.) On Saturday, the museum debuts an exhibit on Catherine’s arts patronage, featuring the museum’s pieces and others from galleries around the country. Through June 8 at the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. 202/686-5807. Web: hillwoodmuseum.org. 

Concert: Ann Hampton Callaway

If you forgot today was Valentine’s Day until a coworker received a delivery of a dozen roses, don’t fret! It’s not too late to plan a special evening with your sweetheart. We recommend you skip the crowds and overpriced prix fixe menus and, instead, head to the Kennedy Center for a relaxed evening with Ann Hampton Callaway and her sultry voice. A woman of many talents, Ms. Callaway is an actress, singer and composer best known for her cabaret-worthy vocals as well as music she’s written for Broadway (“Swing”) and television (“The Nanny” theme song)–not to mention for legends like Barbra Streisand and Carole King. Tonight, Ms. Callaway will headline two performances of favorites from the Great American Songbook and other tunes to get you in the mood, such as “My Funny Valentine” and “At Last.” Friday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. 800/444-1324. Web: kennedy-center.org. 

History: Presidents’ Day at the Portrait Gallery

The birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are just 10 days apart in February, so the third Monday of the month is devoted to remembering their (and all presidents’) contributions to America. (We’ll take any excuse for a day off in this frigid weather!) This year, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery will celebrate with a weekend full of events worthy of the Oval Office. On Saturday, the gallery will offer a family day in its courtyard, with themed craft projects and a visit from the Washington Nationals Racing Presidents. On Sunday, museum guides will tell stories about “Honest Abe” around his portrait in the “America’s Presidents” gallery, which showcases official portraits and other iconic images of the other presidents. While you’re there, be sure to check out “Viewpoints of Billions: Portrait of America,” a 12-foot multimedia piece that utilizes Google Glass technology to change the viewing experience.  Family Day on Saturday at 11:30 a.m., storytelling on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., and Viewpoints of Billions: Portrait of America through Monday at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, 8^th St. & F St. NW. 202/633-8300. Web: npg.si.edu.

Musical Theater: American Idiot

In 1987, punk rock singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong joined fellow musicians in Berkeley, California’s punk rock scene to form Green Day, which would go on to produce numerous chart-topping alternative albums. The band found mainstream radio fame in 2004 with the release of ”American Idiot,” which won the Grammy Award for best rock album with hits like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and of course, the title track. You probably don’t know, however, that the album was a rock opera concept album, with a story about three young men who chase drugs, sex, and rock ‘n’ roll in post-9/11 America. The musical premiered on stage at Berkeley’s Repertory Theatre in 2009; following its successful Broadway run, the show is touring with a stop in Washington beginning Tuesday. Through Feb. 23 at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202/628-6161. Web: thenationaldc.org.

Gala: A Celebration of Women Chefs

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers—and unfortunately, one of the most deadly as early detection remains difficult. This week, you can help the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance raise awareness about the disease and funds for ovarian cancer research. On Wednesday, the Alliance will host the 9^th annual “Turn Up the Heat: A Celebration of Women Chefs,” featuring tastings and demonstrations by more than 40 female chefs, restaurant owners and mixologists from around the region, such as Ris Lacoste of RIS and Jamie Leeds of Hank’s Oyster Bar, to name a few. Attendees will hear from U.S. gymnast Shannon Miller, an Olympic gold medalist with the “Magnificent Seven” in Atlanta in 1996, who will speak about how her experience at the Olympics helped her survive a battle with ovarian cancer. Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202/331-1332. Web: ovariancancer.org. 

© Copyright 2014 The Washington Times, LLC and Samantha Sault