Back in the Saddle

So this Freevoliter has been traipsing about, attempting to find some work to pay the bills. Well, since that's not working out, I've got plenty of time to write about the life and times of the under-employed. I used to be an "fellow" (read: under paid research assistant) and now I have a more flexible schedule in San Francisco (read: not often contracted contractor). What I'm saying is: I KNOW HOW TO BE BROKE. So read up, kids, I've got life lessons for you right here, every week.

Freevolity: a Top Ten List of Amusements for

10. Have a potluck. Friends will always bring too much out of guilt and leave you with enough dips, chips, and salad for a week.

9. Go to the farmers market. Eat lots of samples, and pick up wealthy foodie sugar mommas and daddies who love local food.

8. Don't schedule anything on second Tuesdays and first saturdays. I swear to God, every museum in the City is free on that day.

...stay tuned! More amazing practical tips to weathering this down economy and your own laziness to follow...

Whoa, summer is here

OK, technically not yet, but all the free art, music, and walking tours have, so it's basically the same. There's too much to write posts for everything, but here's the beginning (with credit to Cultural Tourism DC for compiling some it for me). Comment if you know of more!

Artomatic 2009
Friday, May 29 - Sunday, July 05
Location: 55 M Street, SE
Artomatic is a month-long art festival with nine floors of visual and installation art, theater performances, dance and comedy, three music stages, and much more! More importantly, Veronica and Chirlin's Peeps diorama will be displayed.

BikingTown and Walking Town, DC Spring Edition 2009
Saturday, May 30 - Sunday, May 31
Location: Across the City
These events feature free walking or biking tours all over DC. Get out and explore a new neighborhood or learn more about your own!

Sounds in the Square
Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23 (raindates 7/30 and 8/6)
Location: Farragut Square Park, Connecticut Avenue & K Street, NW
Sponsored by the Golden Triangle BID, this concert series features a variety of artists and give-aways from local businesses each week.

Jazz in the Garden
Fridays, 5 - 8:30 PM
May 22nd - September 11th
The Pavilion Café at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 7th and Constitution NW
I can't believe I missed the first jazz night! Bring a picnic, a blanket, and someone to cuddle with and enjoy the free music. Don't expect to get a spot where you can actually see the band; it gets crowded quickly. I'll have to go on June 12th just to find out what "bluesion" is.

DC Craft Beer Week

Despite my best efforts, I can't find the schedule online. Look at your favorite bar for a booklet with the details. Here's what I do know:

When: May 25th-30th
Where: bars around DC (mostly downtown)

There are different sampling events and "meet the brewer" type activities that seem to be free, plus other events you have to pay for (SAVOR, culinary classes, etc.). It looks awesome. I'll post the schedule here if I can find it.

Shakespeare Free-For-All...

...has moved! Sadly, FFA is now going to be downtown at the Company's Harman Hall (the new theater they built on F and 6th Streets). It will now be metro-accessible and, to make up for the lack of green space, I believe the National Building Museum will allow people to picnic on their grounds. Just to further confuse things, they also changed the dates to August 27th to Sept 12.

Summer Movies!

Here's the brief (and incomplete) overview of free movie showings this summer. All of the sites are metro accessible and usually start around dusk.

Monday Nights, Crystal City

- This summer's theme is Superheroes. Movies last from May 4th through September. As a bonus, they usually have food and giveaways.

Friday Nights, Rosslyn

- The theme here is "I Love the 80's". Movies start this Friday (the 1st) and run through September 4th.

Monday Nights, Screen on the Green:

UPDATE: HBO pulled their funding of SotG and gave up the field space, so it seems like it meant not happen this year! Hopefully a new sponsor can be found, but seems unlikely. Sad.

Tour the World

Ever wondered where the Benin embassy is? Or what the inside of the Saudi Arabian embassy looks like? Now is your chance to find out!

May 2nd (and the encompassing week) is Passport DC. 30 embassies are opening their doors for an open house from 10 am-4 pm. There will be food, tours, dancing, and other performances - all for free! Since the embassies are spread out, a shuttle will operate between the different locations all day also. Check out the links above for schedules and other information (including the other events that week).

You've got a ticket to ride: Free Taxi's on St. Patty's