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 23 – The Bicycle Thief (which was supposed to play June 2 but was rained out) plays at Adams Morgan Movie Nights on the corner of 18th and California.
- Tuesday, June 23 – Big Trouble in Little China plays on the roof of Marvin. The film is also accompanied by a live DJ set by 2 Tone Jones. Hip-hop + cheap drinks + martial arts films = good time.
- Tuesday, June 23 – NoMa’s Family Film Night will show Annie at 7 pm. It’s the new Annie if you were wondering, the one with Jamie Foxx in it.
- Wednesday, June 24 – And if you still haven’t gotten enough Annie, or if you miss it the first time around, you can see it again at South Riding Movie Night.
- Wednesday, June 24 – Strictly Ballroom plays at NoMa Summer Screen, accompanied in turn by music by DJ Deedub and a performance by Chevy Chase Ballroom.
- Thursday, June 25 – Rush Hour will be shown at Capitol Riverfront. The only film that beats out Rush Hour is Rush Hour 2 tbh.
- Thursday, June 25 – playbackthetape will play an original VCR version of The Goonies at Petworth Citizen.
- Thursday, June 25 – There’s a free screening of the documentary Paris is Burning at the Smithsonian, followed by a Q&A with museum curators and LGBT activists.
- Friday, June 26 – Tommy Boy plays at the Rosslyn Outdoor Film Festival.
- Friday, June 26 – Hook shows at Golden Cinema in Farragut Park.
- Friday, June 26 – Plus Beverly Hills Cop plays at the Union Market Drive In. You don’t even need a car to go (you can just walk in).
- Saturday, June 27 – Ellicott City’s Wine Bin will show The Wedding Singer, because love stinks.
- Saturday, June 27 – Plus Maleficent closes out the week at the Potomac Town Center.
- Tuesday, June 23 – Louis Weeks and his electronic-acoustic songwriter vibes take over the Millennium Stage.
- Wednesday, June 24 – Forth Wanderers, June Gloom, and Slum Ass Young lay it down at Above the Bayou. $5 suggested donation (so almost free).
- Thursday, June 25 – You, Me, Them, Everybody’s Dream Jukebox is at the Looking Glass Lounge.
- Thursday, June 25 – Ryley Walker plays a free show at Hill & Dale Records in Georgetown, laying down some noodly guitars with delightfully folky vocals. You should watch this video of him playing animals and hanging out in nature.
- Thursday, June 25- 3 West play pro bono at the Rockville Town Center, some fun acoustic rock for those closer to Maryland.
- Thursday, June 25 – 1432 R and Ari Goldman will tear up the roof of Dunya Bar & Restaurant. Plus if you RSVP ahead of time you get a free song, so you can get off PirateBay now.
- Friday, June 26 – Glitter party glittHER celebrates its second anniversary at Zeba Bar, with DJ Deedub and half-priced pizza. Did we mention the half priced pizza? Very important, can’t stress that enough. Plus a metric crap ton of glitter isn’t too bad either.
- Friday, June 26 – DC Commission on Arts and Humanities hosts the audaciously titled “DC’s Biggest Dance Party” at the Carnegie Library. Get down tonight.
- Friday, June 26 – There’s Pervuian music and dancing at Marinera Viva, live at the National Mall.
- Friday, June 26 – Go see the crazy opening ceremonies to the Fairfax 2015 World Police & Fire Games at RFK Stadium.
- Wednesday, June 24 – The weeklong Smithsonian Folklife Festival starts at the Museum of American Indian, featuring music and dance performances and a handful of speakers from both the museum as well as the Embassy of Peru.
- Friday, June 26 – MarketSW returns to Watefront Station with art, food, wine and a beer garden. Plus there’s like a boat-load of vendors selling cool hand crafted stuff.
- Saturday, June 27 – 52 O Street Studios has summer open studios Saturday and Sunday, if the work week has you wanting to unwind by looking at some local artists (whose work you can also purchase at the event, if you’re feeling not-so-frugal).
- Saturday, June 27 – If interactive art is more your forte, Smithsonian’s “America Now!” event will host viscerally engaging art and tech, like the Oculus Rift 3D video game.
- Saturday, June 27 – DC Free Store at The Peace House lets you engage in mutual aid and participate in a temporary gift economy. Bring some stuff, take some stuff, it’s all good man.
- Saturday, June 27 – Alexandria Food & Wine Festival goes down at the Oronocco Bay Park from 12 to 6 PM.
- Sunday, June 28 – Atlas Brew Works will host band Pig Face, playing some tunes from the musical Tomato Bread (which will debut July 10 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center).
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.
