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, it’s nothing but the best for you.
Tuesday – January 7
- TRADE is hosting a premiere party / viewing for the sixth season of Schitt’s Creek, so if you want to see the new season, but don’t want to cough up for cable, head on over.
- Logan Hardware celebrates their second annual Ladies’ Night with DIY activities, free food and drinks.
- Learn all about the pop art of James Rosenquist at NGA‘s screening of James Rosenquist Up Close.
- Author Peggy Wallace Kennedy talks about her book The Broken Road at Politics and Prose.
- Head on over to Songbyrd to see Wild Side, One Step Closer and Choice to Make. There is a suggested donation, if you have some cash to spend.
Wednesday – January 8
- If you like thrillers, author Liz Moore is talking about her book Long Bright River at East City Bookshop.
- Hit up Texicana Mamas at the Millennium Stage for some dancing music.
- Want to talk about the Cold War with strangers? Check out Andrew J. Bacevich’s The Age of Illusions book talk at Politics and Prose.
- The National Museum of Asian Art is screening the incredibly named movie Sword of Doom. Hell yeah.
- Swing by the Pie Shop for their free Upper Crust comedy show. Use the money you save to buy a slice of pie.
Thursday – January 9
- Spend some quality time with LA artist Aaron Garber-Maikovska at the Hirshhorn.
- Put on your cowboy boots and head to Pearl Street Warehouse to jam out with Peyote Pilgrim and Seán Barna.
- Peggy Orenstein talks about her book Boys & Sex with Debra Hauser at Solid State Books.
- Eat a baked good and enjoy a screening of the movie Willow at A Baked Joint.
- Free Yoga Sculpt at Core Power is always an option.
Friday – January 10
- Kiley Reid talks about her hot book Such a Fun Age at Politics and Prose. At least three people in the BYT office are currently reading this.
- Or you could head to the Politics and Prose in Union Market to learn how to make (and distribute) a good podcast.
- Because learning is good, learn how to really look at art at the Hirshhorn.
- Then dance it out at DC9‘s Seven Nation Army indie rock dance party.
- Or maybe you’re more into underground dance music? In that case, you should literally go underground and hit up Scene Kids II at U Street Music Hall.
Saturday – January 11
- The National Gallery of Art is screening Abbas Kiarostami’s first feature The Report, which follows a government worker living in Tehran.
- Or you could check out NGA‘s lecture on art spaces in D.C. in the 70s and 80s.
- Catscan! is teaming up with The Electric Grandmother and Crab Legs to throw an album release at Slash Run.
- Experienced fermenters should swing by Rhizome for the first meeting of their fermentation club.
- Dance to Casual War and Revolution, I Love You at Songbyrd. There is a suggested donation, if you have some cash to spend.
Sunday – January 12
- The No Pants Subway Ride is a thing that’s happening. It’s always free to people watch.
- Order a mimosa and catch a free screening of Memento at Slash Run.
- Then catch the comedy show Cheap Date at Saint Ex.
- Dig into the crossroads between cinema and art history at the National Gallery of Art.
- And stay to see Imani Winds and the Catalyst Quartet at NGA.
