Breaking the Valentine's Day Mold

We have a beef with Valentine's Day. It's not love itself that's annoying, it's that Valentine's has forced us to compartmentalize our emotions: Today, it's all flowers and kisses. But Feb. 15? You're crowding me.

We have a plan for cynics: Go out and have fun at events that will entertain you even as they poke fun at the whole notion of Valentine's Day. Just don't forget: You're buying into a crass commercial vehicle.

· The theory behind Transformer's make-your-own-valentine event: If you're going to indulge, at least DIY. As part of its Summer Camp programming, Transformer is opening its space to the public today to make valentines. The arts organization/gallery has a stockpile of craft materials to use; however, organizers have threatened to play "the sappiest love songs we could possibly get our hands on."

Free. Today from 1 to 7 p.m. 1404 P St. NW. 202-483-1102 or http://www.transformergallery.org.

· Artomatic and the Pink Line Project head into Day 2 of their Luck of the Draw weekend of art and music events at venues around the Navy Yard Metro in Southeast. We count on both of these groups to put on the best art parties around (yes, fine, we {heart} them). And this show seems to have it all: a photography exhibit curated by Ten Miles Square; another exhibition, "RED: St. Valentine bled for us" (with work by Tim Tate, Pat Goslee, Scott Brooks and others); and DJs and music performances every day.

Free. Tonight 6-10 p.m.; tomorrow 2-6 p.m. Half Street, between K and L streets SE. Navy Yard Metro station. For a schedule and details, visit http://www.hoogrrl.com or http://www.artomatic.org.

· And instead of a pricey dinner, how about just skipping to dessert? Tonight at the Birchmere is Burlesque-a-Pades, with Miss Exotic World Angie Pontani, comedian Murray Hill, Peekaboo Pointe and a host of other acts celebrating this day of . . . oh, whatever.

$35. 7:30 p.m. Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. 202-397-7328 or http://www.birchmere.com.