We hope you haven’t been a victim of penny pinching shaming, because in our opinion, the act of being frugal in New York City is an art form. It takes patience, flexibility, persistence, and a keen eye. To assist in your honing of the craft, we’ve developed another list of fun free things to do this week. On the menu are screenings, lobster rolls, a philosopher battle, a comedy fest pre-party and more. Dig in.

Tuesday, August 11
TALK: SASS Presents: Badass Philosopher Battle
Get your lecture on with those crazy kids at the Society for the Advancement of Social Studies. Each month, the group explore a different debate-worthy historical topic over adult beverages. This time around they are pitting three prominent philosophers against each other in hopes of declaring one the most badass of all. Will it be Socrates, John Locke or Karl Marx? Turn up and help decide.
Time: Doors at 7pm, Lectures at 7:30pm
Location: The Bedford, 110 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11211

PARTY: Slice Harvester Book Release Pizza Party
Join pizza-loving punk rocker-turned-blogger-turned-author Colin Atrophy Hagendorf as he celebrates the release of his memoir in pizza, Slice Harvester. There will be 69 pizzas, bands, books and more.
Time: 8pm. Free before 10pm.
Location: Silent Barn

FOOD: The Finest Grillathon
Ball Park are going for the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Team Barbecue Marathon”. The time to beat is 30 hours. Helping them in their quest is Celebrity Chef and Food Network star, Tyler Florence. Learn how to grill from the best as he’ll leading live recipe and grilling tutorials onsite. Ball Park is also going to be giving away free hot dogs to passerbys. So stop by and cheer them on as they make BBQ history.
Time: August 11 at 7pm – Thursday, August 13, 2015 at 9am
Location: Gansevoort Plaza, Little West 12th Street and 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Wednesday, August 12
FOOD: Flavor of the Open
Free lobster rolls anyone? At this first-ever US Open pop-up restaurant at Grand Central Terminal you can get a taste of the delicious cuisine that will be available at the big event. Among the offerings are Maya chopped salad, Tony Mantuano’s tomato bread from Wine Bar Food, Hill Country’s brisket slider and, everyone’s favorite, the US Open signature lobster roll. In the beverage department, Lavazza’s premium iced coffee and Evian water will be given away, and Coca-Cola will be on hand to create personalized cans in their “Share a can” mold. There will also be prizes, photo ops, and chance at discount tickets to the grand tennis tournament, which kicks off August 31 and runs through September 13.
Time: 12:30pm, while supplies last
Location: Grand Central Terminal

ART: The Glorious Twelfth: A Food and Film Pairing
Celebrate the beginning of grouse hunting season at Postmaster Gallery. That’s right, it’s time to get out those rifles and shoot little birds. Better known as the Glorious Twelfth in the UK, the gallery is ushering in the big day with a food meets film installation created by Hugh Hayden and Zach Heinzerling. The evening includes a screening of the short film Hugh the Hunter, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year. The film is complimented by a dinner inspired by the last scene of the film. The dinner is not free and reservations are sold out, but a few spots will become available the night of. The installation minus the food is free to view.
Time: 6:30pm-9pm
Location: Postmasters Gallery, 54 Franklin Street, New York, NY 10013

FILM: Free Talks: Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (Meru)
Jimmy Chin, Renan Ozturk and Conrad Anker climbed to the 21,000-foot peak of Mount Meru’s shark’s fin and lived to tell the tale. Their perilous journey, which spans several years and two attempts, is now the subject of Meru, a documentary directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. Picking up the audience award at Sundance Film Festival 2015, the film arrives in theaters later this week. In anticipation of the release, Chin and Vasarhelyi discuss and share highlights of the project during a free talk at the Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center. If you miss this discussion, the pair will also be at the Apple Store SoHo on Thursday, August 13. Watch a preview of the film here.
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, 144 W. 65th Street, south side

FILM: Q&A Screening VICE’s Prince
Catch an advance screening of acclaimed short film and music video director Sam de Jong’s feature-length debut Prince. The story of a seventeen-year-old who’s life is veering off course, the film premiered at the 2015 Berlinale and arrives in theaters and on VOD platforms on August 14 via FilmBuff and Vice Media. De Jong will be on hand for a post-screening Q&A. Watch the trailer below.
Time: 6pm
Location: YouTube, 75 Ninth Avenue, 6th Floor, New York,NY 10011
RSVP

Thursday, August 13
PARTY: Brooklyn Comedy Festival’s Pre-Festival Fine ARTS Show + Party!
The Brooklyn Comedy Festival is just around the corner and to get you excited for the laugh-filled affair they are throwing a free party complete with free Sixpoint beer, free Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, free wine, an art by C+C Mini Factory, and more. The party is all ages, but you must be 21+ to drink.
Time: 6pm-11pm
Location: Cloud City, 85 N 1st St, Brooklyn, New York 11249

MUSIC: House of Vans Party Feat. Julian Casablancas + The Voidz, Cherry Glazerr and DJ set by Cerebral Ballzy
See description here. RSVP is full, but maybe you can talk your way in if you show up super early.

PARTY: Meditation Tunnel #2: Luke Jenner + Tim Sweeney
Get lost in a meditation tunnel with The Rapture’s Luke Jenner and Beats in Space’s Tim Sweeney, as they spin a selection of their favorite tunes. Jenner is referring to it as throwback to his Plant Bar days.
Time: 10pm
Location: Elvis Guesthouse, 85 Avenue A, New York, New York 10009