The first week of March.

So it's March already, which means Spring Break is getting close and I bet you need things to do over it.
(This is not done yet, but I had to go somewhere, I'll be adding much more later)

MONDAY

Showing of the Big Lebowski (21+)- 8 pm $3. Door open at though and if you show up before 7 get a free beer and a bag of popcorn. At the Trocadero 1003 Arch St. (thetroc.com)

Karaoke at the Khyber- My personal favorite at 5 South 2nd st. With $1 PBR until 11. At that rate you're sure to get even your shiest friends up to sing.

Open Mic Night- Fergie's pub open mic night 21+ no cover charge. 1214 Sansom St.

Free Tai Chi Class- Every Monday at 2 increase your flexibility and do those cool arm move thingies at the Philadelphia Free library on 18 S. 7th St.

TigerBeats Indie Dance Party (21+)- At The Barbary (951 Frankford and Delaware Ave), exactly what it sounds like, get ready to dance with some of the hippest hipsters you've ever seen who aren't half as cool as they think they are.

Philly Rising Open Mic Night- World Cafe Live. 7:00 Most people go there and order food and watch the music. Broke people get free water and watch the music. WARNING: Anyone can sign up for this, so on occasion I've seen people playing and reppin dirty jerz bra! Located on 3025 Walnut St.

Free Salsa Lessons (21+)- Free salsa l

essons every monday at Vango Lounge and skybar. The drinks can definately get a little expensive there, but rest assured all their beer costs less than $6.

Comic Art as political commentary- An exhibit on display at national liberty museum on 3rd and chestnut.

TUESDAY

Plausible Artists Potluck- Join other artists and creative minds to network discuss and munch on shard food. Free. Basekamp (723 Chestnut St.)

Chess for Adults- 6pm at 201 South 40th St. at the Free Library located there. Call 215-685-7671 for more information.

Comic Art as political commentary- An exhibit on display at national liberty museum on 3rd and chestnut.

90s Party and Cash Dance off- At the Barbary, which we should all know by now is kinda lame, but there is a $50 cash prize. So if you think you've got what it takes be at 951 Frankford Ave with the $5 cover entry (LAME, I know) in hand all night.

WEDNESDAY

Film screening and discussion of Waltz with Bashir- 7:30 Free at the Prince St. theatre on 14th and Chestnut.

Comic Art as political commentary- An exhibit on display at national liberty museum on 3rd and chestnut.

Religion and Conflict: The secret ballot: A showing of the movie at Broad St. Ministry right on Broad st. in center city at 6:30

THURSDAY

Learn Chinese for Free- Every Thursday go to the Philadelphia Free Library at 18 S. 7th St. to learn Chinese for the English speaker.

Hidden Light: Understanding the Women of Iran- Faeze Woodville of Drexel University, Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet of the University of Pennsylvania, and Laura Levitt of Temple University explore issues affecting women in Iran; the conversation will be moderated by journalist Marguerite del Giudice. Free at 6:15 at the Free Library at 19th and Vine

My Dream of Stars: From daughter of Iran to Space Prisoner- Free at 7:30 at the free library on 19th and Vine. On September 18, 2006, Anousheh Ansari became the first astronaut of Iranian descent, the first female private space explorer, and the fourth person ever to purchase a ride into space. Come hear her story.

FRIDAY

Among Criminals (21+)- Politically charged reggae with Strange Engineers, Steppin Razor, and Fiction 21 down. 9pm at the Khyber (56 South 2nd st.) $8

Andrew Lipke- won a barrymore in 2007 for a theatrical score he wrote, he has also released and produced many albums, his voice has drawn comparisons to Elvis Costello and Rufus Wainwright. See him for free at the Kimmel Center (which if you haven't been in you really should go just to see the building) Free at 5:30 right on Broad St. in the Avenue of the Arts.

SATURDAY

Tour of The Kimmel Center Art and Architecture- which if you've ever been in the kimmel center before you know is fascinating. 10:30 in the morning at the Kimmel center on Broad St. (For more information- http://www.kimmelcenter.org/planning/tours.php)

Traditional Irish Music Session (21+)- Join Fergie's Pub on 1214 Sansom St. at 4 for a traditional Irish music session.

Armageddon and The end of Days and the prophecy of return- In The End of Days, the conclusion to the Earth Chroniclesseries, bestselling author Zecharia Sitchin treats ancient Sumerian writings and biblical tales not as mythology, but as records and recollections of mankind’s past. Free at 2pm at 19th and Vine at the free library there.

Free Tanning Session at any Hollywood Tan- Go in during their hours for a free tan.

SUNDAY

Free Bellydancing lesson (21+) from 9:30-10:30 come into Byblos (116 S. 18th St.) for greek/meditteranean night for a free bellydancing lesson.

Karaoke Night at the Barbary- No cover 951 Frankford and Delaware Ave. Dollar drinks until 11.

Women's Seeker ensemble- Free at 2:00 at the library on 19th and Vine. An elegant and energetic group of percussionists and singers that perform sacred and secular music from Africa using the intricately beaded gourds called sekeres.

OPEN (ALMOST) ALL WEEK

No exit- A play by Satre. Where the whole hell is other people business comes from. $10 Curio Theatre Co. 815 S. 48th St.

The Blue Door- A play at the Arden. Starring my badass acting teacher from awhile ago. I hope ya'll know the deal by now only $5 to go see a live badass play if you have a student Id. That's cheaper than a movie, and waaaay better then something involving Vampires making out.

Traits in Emotion- An art gallery exhibit running through March 15th at the Asian Arts Initiative at 1219 Vine St. Featuring painting and words by 11 different Philly artists exploring mental illness and how it effects art.

PROJECT H.O.M.E.S's 20th anniversary celebration- 74 pieces of art by 21 formerly homeless people who were helped out by project H.O.M.E. At the community art gallery on 1234 Market St. (Runs through April 14th)

A history of Black comics- On display at the free library on 19th and Vine.

I'm sorry I'm too broke to take you out to a bar and get you drunk there.

I recently turned 21, and so did my boyfriend. It has brought on a lot of conversation about how we should get out of the house and go to that bar down the corner. If you're over 21 I'm sure you're in the same boat, either with the person you're dating or your friends who you want to hang out with.

My very broke solution:
Pizza and PBR (or Mickeys if you really aren't trying to impress anyone)
At a bar I'll easily throw down $40 to get two people through the night, more than that if I want to have a really good time. On Mickeys or PBR I'll throw down about $6 for myself and be as jolly as santa.
Now pizza, sure you can order it, but if you're stuck at your house you may as well try to impress your friends somehow. After all, it's very important to remind your friends that you are as cool and fun as you know you are.
At Trader Joe's (on Market st.) you can get pizza dough for ninety-nine cents. This is exciting, I'm fully aware. You can also buy a can of tomato puree for sixty cents just about anywhere. These two ingredients are all you need to make breadsticks. Now before you yell at me for how lame breadsticks are, don't forget about that Mickeys and PBR you have, the fact that you have friends, and the fact that you are awesome. Think about all the shapes you can make and then eat. It actually sounds kinda fun right?
So I know the next time my friends wanna go to a bar I'm gonna pay about $8 instead and have some shitty beer and breadsticks.


Or if you're really stuck on that pizza idea you can pick up a block of cheese (or soy cheese for those of you that know what's up) and shred it yourself (it's cheaper this way). Another idea, if you don't have any seasonings to put on the tomato puree you may be better off just getting a tomato, and cutting it into pieces on the crust, and then just putting the cheese on top of that.

Oh, and while you're at Trader Joe's did you know you're allowed to sample anything there? The employees are allowed to open any box and let you try it all you have to do is ask. This is an excellent way to get free lunch. Just ask to try a few things, I mean you never know when you'll need spicy soy and flax tortilla chips right?