Here we focus exclusively on the cheapest YET most satisfying entertainment to be found around DC. Every week we highlight free and almost free activities, a choice happy hour or two, food specials and hot tips for budget survival. PLEASE POST YOUR FREE EVENTS (FOR FREE!) ON OUR AGENDA PAGE or send us FREE TIPS to [email protected] for inclusion in the future FREE THINGS guide. So, time to plan the week!
- Tuesday, April 28 – Stock up on your American art knowledge by checking out Big Eyes at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse for $2, and decide for yourself whether or not Keane paintings are creepy.
- Tuesday, April 28 – CAN I KICK IT? returns to Marvin’s Rooftop Lounge with a screening of The New Legend of Shaolin staring Jet Li. There will also be drink specials and Shaolin jazz, which is a type of jazz?
- Friday, May 1 – Get a glimpse into the life of an iconic American artist at the Georgetown Library with a screening of Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child.
- Sunday, May 3 – Freer and Sackler Galleries host the first day of the DC Korean Film Festival. Stop by for a free screening of The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow.
- Monday, May 4 – Throw it back to the 16th-century with a screening of The Other Boleyn Girl at Chevy Chase Library.
- Tuesday, April 28 – Get your country on with a Texas Troubadour tribute featuring artists like Justin Jones and Patty Reese at Gypsy Sally’s.
- Tuesday, April 28 – Adam Kyle is playing songs off of his new EP tonight at DC9 and tickets are going for just $8 at the door.
- Wednesday, April 29 – Jam out with the Plankstompers who are playing at Bossa Bistro and Lounge for just $5 tonight.
- Wednesday, April 29 – Or check out the Water Liars at DC9 or the Sun-Dried Vibes at Town Tavern, both for just $10.
- Thursday, April 30 – Zach Bellas is playing at the Tree House Lounge tonight for just $10 in advance or $13 at the door.
- Thursday, April 30 – Over at DC9, the Apache Relay will be taking the stage for $10 in advance of $12 at the door.
- Friday, May 1 – Stop by the Wonderland Ballroom for You, Me, The, Everybody Live with guests Alexandra Petri, Norm Quarrinton, Haywood Turnipseed Jr and Al Scorch.
- Friday, May 1 – Check out the U St. Jazz Jam at Dunya Bar, with local artists and groovy tunes free of charge.
- Saturday, May 2 – Feeling funky? Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist Michael “Kidd Funkadelic” Hampton will be playing a free show at U Street, and you’re welcome to participate. Just being your own battery-powered amp and get ready to rock.
- Saturday, May 2 – DCDIT hosts its last show at The Lot, with Baby Bry Bry & The Apologists, Crocodiles and Congo Sanchez.
- Saturday, May 2 – It’s a night of funk, as the Funk Parade comes to Tropicalia (and about 15 more venues so come back tomorrow for our FUNK PARADE PREVIEW) with artists like Joe Keyes & the Late Bloomer Band and Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang. FREE.
- Sunday, May 3 – DC Brau Brewery hosts the School of Rock Silver Spring House Band for an afternoon full of rock ‘n’ roll and craft beer.
- Sunday, May 3 – Stop by Paperhaus for DCDIT’s Drone Brunch (Afternoon Edition) with performances from synth legend Charles Cohen, as well as Br’er and Hallowed Bells.
- Sunday, May 3 – Check out the Pinch for a show by experimental bands Kuschty Rye Ergot, Soft Sides and Thieves in the Neighborhood.
- ALL BASEBALL SEASON LONG – check out our Happy Hour Hotline for baseball related specials.
- ALL SUMMER LONG – Okay so it’s not quite summer yet, but we’re still excited to enjoy happy hour deals out in the sun. Check out our Outdoor Drinking Guide to find the best deals and outdoor spots.
- When you get a parking ticket – Take your ticket or moving violation to Caribbean Citations and they’ll give you certain dishes at a discounted price. Your day suddenly got a lot better.
- Thursday, April 30 – The next Grilled Cheese Social at Marvin is here, with free music and good deals on gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Monday, May 4 – It’s the “Burger Days of Summer” for a limited time only at Cafe Deluxe, where they’ll be offering six new burgers for just $12.95 to $15.95. Summer is in the air and we can almost taste it, literally.
- Tuesday, April 28 – Sing your heart out at karaoke during SpeakeasyDC’s spring fundraising campaign launch party, Tour de Telling. You might even win the rock-paper-scissors tournament.
- Wednesday, April 29 – Mark the end of National Poetry Month with Kramerbooks and the Arts Club of Washington at the Celebration of Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Brooks.
- Wednesday, April 29 – Channel your inner musician during the open mic & jam session at Club Heaven and Hell. All instruments are welcome.
- Wednesday, April 29 – Listen to high school students that are more talented than you at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals.
- Wednesday, April 29 – Impress your friends and drop some knowledge after attending Heather Greene’s reading from her new book Whiskey Distilled: A Populist Guide to the Water of Life at Busboys and Poets Brokland.
- Thursday, April 30 – Celebrate Poem in your Pocket Day at Athenaeum with free readings from DASHing Words in Motion contest winners.
- Thursday, April 30 – Over 21 and enjoy reading? Join the Twentythirtysomething Book Club at Breadsoda to discuss this month’s book, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami.
- Friday, May 1 – Morton Fine Art hosts the opening night of its newest exhibition, “Asian Uboikpa (Hip Sista),” featuring new works by Victor Ekpuk.
- Saturday, May 2 – It’s Free Comic Book Day! Stop by Atomic Books for a special FREE comic book, and check out all regularly priced comics marked off 20% for today only.
- Saturday, May 2 – Show support for your favorite indie bookstores for Independent Bookstore Day. Atomic Books offers special products for the occasion, and Politics and Prose has book readings and activities scheduled throughout the day.
- Saturday, May 2 – Hole in the Sky presents its latest righteous art show, ARTSHOW 11: Erotica – An Exploration of Trash-Pop Sexuality takes.
- Sunday, May 3 – Blind Pug Arts Collective presents a free staged reading of Love Godfrey / Love George at MLK Jr. Memorial Library.
- Sunday, May 3 – Enjoy the sunny weather with DC Breeze at their third game of the season, and learn more about the ultimate frisbee phenomenon. There will be food, drinks and live music.
That’s all, remember – PLEASE POST YOUR FREE EVENTS (FOR FREE!) ON OUR AGENDA PAGE or send us FREE TIPS to [email protected] for inclusion in the future FREE THINGS guide. Feel free to leave us your suggestions in the comments. Sharing is the new caring.
