The 5 for $5 is a recurring series that highlights some awesome things you can do for $5 or less in NYC.  In past editions, we’ve covered live improv shows, drag queen hosted poetry nights, and gallery talks at NYC museums.  This edition, though, we bring you a little more grit with live music, pseudo-educational lectures, and booze-induced movie marathons.  Enjoy.

1.  Spelling bee at Pete´s Candy Store

Not only is this event free, but if you place first, you´ll come out with a $20 bar tab.  Every Monday, fully grown adults stand on stage and try to outspell each other in progressively more difficult rounds.  The more timid or dyslexic can enjoy it from the sidelines.  Sign-up starts at 7:00pm and the competition begins a half hour later.

2.  “Movie Bowl” at Brooklyn Bowl

Watching movies at bars is not unlike watching sports at bars:  the camaraderie of collective enjoyment is as rewarding as the thing being watched.  Not only is the film free, but with pints at $2, you can knock back a couple or be absolutely out of control and go $1 over budget for a third.

3.  Percussion Weekend

If you think there aren’t all sorts of deep thoughts running through a vacant-eyed drummer’s head, you´ve probably never been schooled in ´Percussion Philosophy,´ one of numerous seminars and musical events on the bill for ‘Percussion Weekend’ starting Feb. 19.  Sponsored by NYU and the Percussive Arts Society, the festival kicks off (wait, is that a percussion pun?) with an under-29 snare drum competition on Friday evening, and continues until Sunday.  100% free.

4.  “Adult Ed” lecture series

For $5, enjoy this quirky “useless lecture series” at Union Hall in Park Slope.  Past themes have included “Technology for Good, Evil, and Otherwise”; the next one will discuss “Animal Minds, Animal Bodies” (sample lecture: “Why You Want a Monkey: The Psychology of Primates Owning Primates.”)  Held on intermittent Tuesday evenings; check the website (adult-ed.net) for the full calendar.

5.  Barge Music

What’s cooler than hearing great music performed on a stationary barge in the East River?  That’s right, nothing.  Maybe you’re skeptical now, but when you watch the glittering Manhattan skyline in the boat’s big bay window bob up and down in rhythm, you’ll know what I mean.  “Barge Music” holds at least one free show each month (the next one is on March 27 at 1pm)  The program is unannounced beforehand, but consider the surprise part of the fun.  The barge is located at Fulton Ferry Landing under the Brooklyn Bridge.



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