Free & Almost Free Things To Do This Week In DC

Here we focus exclusively on the cheapest YET most satisfying entertainment to be found around DC. Every Monday 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!

• GENTLE REMINDER: Consider joining the new-and-improved BYT VIP program, called VIPERS (yes!) which is all about making your life better with awesome things like: paid reserves at select (already) sold-out shows, hugs-heavy bus trips to where-the-hell-is-that venues like Merriweather Post Pavilion, pre-release MP3s and promo CD downloads, members-only ticket giveaways and discounts, priority line-jumping at BYT events, tons of loot we get from labels and PR people that we don’t know what to do with, exclusive pre-pre-pre-sales, monthly secret happy hours where you can huddle amongst the rest of the VIPER elite + pick up extra schwag, super sweet Vipers-only pow wows with some of your favorite musicians, artists and local celebs…. and, well, anything else we can think of.

Now onto this week:

MOVIES!

• Tuesday, May 27th – You can catch a $2 screening of “Muppets Most Wanted,” “Draft Day” and/or “Noah” over at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse.
• Wednesday, May 28th – THEN head to NoMA Summer Screen’s first outdoor movie of the season–“Back to the Future.”
• Wednesday, May 28th – And The Bicycle Space turns into a “ride-in” movie spot for “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” tonight.

SHOWS/PARTIES/CONCERTS!

• Tuesday, May 27th – Head to Hill Country Live for some free Americana, compliments of Brian Ashley Jones and High Viscosity.
• Tuesday, May 27th – And there’s a free stand-up variety show and game show over at Nick’s Riverside Grill.
• Tuesday, May 27th – AND there’s free karaoke at Zeba Bar.
• Tuesday, May 27th – And if you want to grab the mic or check out some local talent, Gypsy Sally’s is hosting a free open mic night with drink specials.
• Tuesday, May 27th – The Brixton’s got its own comedy show happening every Tuesday night. They’ve even got drink specials. Sweet.
• Tuesday, May 27th – More laughs? Head to Vendetta for their underground comedy night.
• Tuesday, May 27th – AND you can catch the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir at The Kennedy Center.
• Wednesday, May 28th – Over at Wonderland Ballroom tonight you’ll find some of D.C.’s best burlesque and side show talent at The Wonderland Circus.
• Wednesday, May 28th – Celebrate Wednesdays with Hump Day at Mova Lounge including music, dancing, open mic sessions, spoken word, burlesque, screenings, live performances, DJs, karaoke, themed nights… essentially everything.
• Wednesday, May 28th – And you can git dancin’ at DAS GERMAN party over at Doner Bistro…
• Wednesday, May 28th – …OR at Little Miss Whiskey’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
• Wednesday, May 28th – And there’s always the free Underground Comedy Show at The Big Hunt.
• Wednesday, May 28th – If you’re in the mood to take the mic yerself, Hill Country BBQ’s got free live band karaoke.
• Wednesday, May 28th – There’s trivia at Bier Baron Tavern, complete with mystery drink specials.
• Thursday, May 29th – And if you’re headin’ out toward Bethesda you can catch a free Flo Anito show as part of a free summer concert series.
• Thursday, May 29th – Over at Marvin you’ll find a free spring DJ party so git dancin’…
• Thursday, May 29th – …Or at Hill Country Live you can catch Citizens Band Radio.
• Thursday, May 29th – If you feel like singing, git you some karaoke at Sticky Rice.
• Friday, May 30th – Then head on over to Hill Country’s Backyard Barbecue for a free outdoor show, this time by New York Funk Exchange.
• Friday, May 30th – OR get classy with a free show by the Kennedy Center House Orchestra.
• Friday, May 30th – There’s also COALBXX, DC9’s indie dance party with $2 drinks. Nothing not to love.
• Saturday, May 31st – THEN be sure to hit up Tour de Fat at Yards Park for epic biking and boozing and partying.
• Saturday, May 31st – AND there’s another free outdoor Hillyard Backyard BBQ show. Stop by for BBQ and free music from Graham Wilkinson.

FOOD!

• Tuesday, May 27th – Did you know there’s beer pong over at Penn Social? There’s beer pong over at Penn Social.
• Tuesday, May 27th – Chow down on $2 tacos and $4 margaritas at El Centro D.F.
• Friday, May 30th – Then drink outdoors with your dog and your dawgs at Yappy Hour in Arlington.
• Saturday, May 31st – And it’s time for another Petworth Community Market full of local goods and produce.

CULTURE:

• Wednesday, May 28th – There’s a free panel discussion on Estonian composer Arvo Pärt at The Kennedy Center tonight.
• Thursday, May 29th – And oh hey, bookworms. It’s the first ever meeting of a ZOMBIE BOOK CLUB, which of course sounds great to us.
• Saturday, May 31st – Then check out a pay-what-you-can performance of WSC Avant Bard’s NERO/PSEUDO rock opera, mmk?

GENERAL WELL BEING:

• Tuesday, May 27th – Get into some GLO bocce on Capitol Hill tonight. Glow-in-the-dark bocce. Seriously.
• Wednesday, May 28th – And THEN there’s GLO Bocce in Arlington!

Feel free to leave us your suggestions in the comments. Sharing is the new caring.