Free D.C.

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!

Outdoor movie season is beginning. That’s means there’ll be no end to the free movies showing throughout the city and into the burbs. Be sure to consult your outdoor movie guide, my friend, if this is your bag.

Tuesday, June 2 – The Bicycle Thief at Adams Morgan Movie Nights, if post-war Italian cinema is your thing (not saying that’s bad). It also starts a half-hour after sunset, so it’ll be nice n’ cool. And hopefully dry.
Wednesday, June 3 – Centerstage will play at the NoMa Summer Screen, as a part of their continuing theme of dance movies (plus the Dolci Gelatto food truck will be there).
Thursday, June 4 – Back to the Future plays at the Capitol Riverfront. I’m still disappointed it’s 2015 and we don’t have hover boards like the sequel predicted.
Friday, June 5 – The Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival kicks off with its first film, Wedding Crashers.
Friday, June 5 – The Devil Wears Prada plays at Golden Cinema in Farragut Park; make sure to bring a chair. Also, if you donate a used book or DVD at the event to Carpe Librum/ Turning the Page, you’ll be entered to win a prize. Win/win.
Friday, June 5 – Union Market’s Summer Drive In will play Jurassic Park, and since Jurassic World comes out next week, what better time to reacquaint yourself with genetically-resurrected dinosaurs?
Saturday, June 6 – And if you miss Jurassic Park on Friday, you can see it on Saturday at The Wine Bin in Ellicott City, or you could see it twice if you’re really into dinosaurs. It’s your life, do what you feel.
Saturday, June 6 – Sleeping Beauty will be shown out in Woodbridge at the Potomac Town Center, bring chairs and blankets and enchantments, etc.

Tuesday, June 2 – Cheick Hamala’s griot residency continues, as he delivers stories, poetry and music from Mali at the Bossa Bistro Lounge.
Tuesday, June 2 – Cold Beat, Olivia Neutron-John, and Sneaks will play at Comet Ping Pong; Cold Beat’s awesome San Fran rock is perfect compliment to the insanely warm weather this week.
Wednesday, June 3 – The energy continues as Chicago quartet Marbin headlines at Bossa, playing their own brand of saxophone-based jazz rock.
Wednesday, June 3 – Podcast You, Me, Them, Everybody will be recording a special episode at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company following Zombie: The American. Appropriately, this episode will focus on the undead, bringing in local experts.
Wednesday, June 3 –POV Live featuring Tor Miller @ The W. Glassnote records approved pop on a rooftop.

Thursday, June 4 – DC natives Time is Fire headline at the Pinch, alongside a slew of other artists include Dark Dissolve, Broke Royals, the Vico Cycle, and Calm the Waters.
Thursday, June 4 – The Puma Ptah (formerly known as Ras Puma) album release party will provide some good vibes dub at Tropicalia.
Thursday, June 4 – Feedel Band plays at Bossa Bistro, bringing some serious Ethiopian jazz along with them, if Marbin’s American / Israeli jazz isn’t your style.
Thursday, June 4 – POV Live featuring Adeline Michele & JKRIV @ The W One of the girls from Escort is doing her first ever D.C. show, bringing the “sleek, sexy sound of Studio 54″ to the best view venue in town
Friday, June 5 – If you miss the show on Wednesday, you can go to another You, Me, Them, Everybody show at the Wonderland Ballroom.
Friday, June 5 – Casa Fulano will host the Sara Curtin Band with Stranger in the Alps.
Friday, June 5 – Witch Coast, Littlefoot, Midriffs, and Teen Liver will play at 453 Florida, if you missed the Chimes Records showcase on Sunday and want to hear some out of town bands.
Friday, June 5 – Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art in the Sculpture Garden, free throughout the whole summer. This week features Robert Jospe and Butch Taylor. So much jazz this week.
Friday, June 5 – Ezra Mae and the Gypsy Moon continues their month-long residency at the Pinch, in what is sure to be another trippy ride of a show.
Saturday, June 6 – Bachaco and Empresarios play at Tropicalia; Bachaco will lay down the reggae roots-rock, but Empresarios will relax you with some downtempo Latin electronica for a mellow mix of highs and lows.
Saturday, June 6 – Silent Disco Dance Party, hosted by With Love DC, will throw down in Dupont Circle; make sure to download the playlist ahead of time or you’ll be dancing by yourself.
Sunday, June 7 – The Lost Civilizations, the Holy Circle, and Praxis Cat will bring some experimental ambient electronica to the Pinch.

Friday, June 5 – This Friday is National Donut Day. So grab a loved one and head over to Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken who will be marking the occasion with a special doughnut with a strawberry glaze, blueberry drizzle and lemon buttercream topping. 100% of sales will benefit the Fisher House Foundation.
Saturday, June 6 – One Eight Distilling will have free tours of their premises and samples of locally crafted spirits (including Rock Creek Whisky and Ivy City Gin) from 1-4 p.m. Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken will also be on the premises. Supporting local businesses and free drinks? Yes.

Wednesday, June 3 – Clark Elliott will speak at Busboys and Poets about his new book, The Ghost in My Brain: How a Concussion Stole My Life and How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Helped Me Get It Back.
Wednesday, June 3 – Art on the Art Bus will give a ride for $1.75 and feature original work by Khanh H. Le’s installed on board.
Thursday, June 4 – Lotus Blooms will host an erotica reading full of “titillating tales of salacious and seductive scenes” that are smart and sensual in Alexandria.
Friday, June 5 – A Portal Between DC and Havana, Herat, and Tehran will launch, allowing attendees to communicate with someone across the world through immersive audio-visual technology.
Saturday, June 6 – Barrelhouse Presents will come to Upshur Books, and feature poetry readings by Lance Phillips, Matthew Rohrer, Rod Smith, and Susan Tichy.
Saturday, June 6 – HOLE IN THE SKY DC hosts their 12th art show, ARTSHOW_12: Street Mea t, featuring skate and street culture themed art from a huge roster of local and visiting artists, guest-curated by Keyhansolo.

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.