It’s January and I don’t know about you but one of my (many) resolutions is to spend less money. I want to save that cash like I’m going to do something non-reckless and non-wild with it, instead of my usual budget planning which involves looking at my bank account balance and shrugging. To help me (and hopefully you), we’re bringing back a new and (hopefully) more useful version of our old Free Things To Do in D.C. guide.
Below, we’ve picked 5 free things happening everyday this week. From music to movies to literature to art, you deserve nothing but the best.
Monday – January 20
- Volunteering is always free.
- March in the 39th annual MLK Peace Walk & Parade with Mayor Muriel Bowser.
- Author Anna Wiener talks about her interesting new book Uncanny Valley: A Memoir at Politics and Prose.
- The Washington Psychotronic Film Society is screening Ninja III: The Domination and Hi-Keeba! at Smoke & Barrel.
- Jackie Lee’s is throwing a mezcal party to remind you that This Is Not Normal.
Tuesday – January 21
- Learn about that arty boy Constantin Brancusi at NGA‘s screening of On the Wings of Brancusi.
- Or you can catch the movie Journey to the Depths of the Student’s Soul at Bistro Bohem.
- Or or you could see Selma at the Woodbridge Library.
- César Cuautémoc García is talking about his book Migrating to Prison at Politics and Prose.
- Bring your own vinyl to Songbyrd and force strangers to listen to your favorite music whether they like it or not!
Wednesday – January 22
- Do some yoga in the Luce, one of the most beautiful spaces in D.C.
- Saneit Monae is singing some sweet R&B at DC9. There is a $10 suggested donation if you have some cash.
- Head on over to Slash Run for a free screening of Existenz. Cuddle up with some Cronenberg.
- The Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain is hosting a talk about Hispanic heritage.
- Go back to Politics and Prose for an author talk with Jeanine Cummins.
Thursday – January 23
- Check out a conversation with the artist Sheldon Scott at the National Portrait Gallery.
- Jump around to Thygui and The Colonies at the Wonderland Ballroom.
- The National Archives Building is screening One Woman, One Vote with a sweet panel discussion after the film.
- Stop by Solid State Books for an author talk with Laura McKowen on her book We Are the Luckiest.
- Watch The Great Battle with some cool strangers at the Korean Cultural Center.
Friday – January 24
- Explore the entirety of the color pink with the art experts at the Hirshhorn.
- Dance it up at DC9‘s Sexy Back / 2000s dance party.
- Or you could slide on over to The Dew Drop Inn for some tunes.
- Smithsonian Folklife is hosting a screening of the Brazilian films Mulheres de Axé and Um Dia no Ilè at Howard University.
- Because the Folger loves you, they’re putting on a free staged reading of The Bardy Bunch.
Saturday – January 25
- Get your fill of Robert Frank at NGA‘s double feature of Fire in the East: A Portrait of Robert Frank and Leaving Home, Coming Home: A Portrait of Robert Frank.
- Drink a beer and get wild to Debt Crisis, The Rememberables and Chilton at Slash Run.
- Hit up a Chinese New Year party at The LINE Hotel.
- Get your picture taken with a very fancy camera at the Leica Store.
- Then hit up Max Fillion at the Songbyrd Vinyl Lounge. There is a $10 suggested donation if you have some cash.
Sunday – January 26
- Clibbus, Period Bomb, Lucky Baby Daddy and Thee Deluxe are at Songbyrd.
- Jeffrey Colvin is talking about his book Africaville at Solid State Books.
- Or catch Blair Imani at the Petworth Neighborhood Library.
- Stop by Velvet Lounge to see Skyscrapers, Jason Byrd and Swamp Grass.
- Hit up one last screening at NGA.
