• email
• print
• share
• save to my nyc

There's always something exciting to do and see around the five boroughs that doesn't cost a dime. See our weekly picks below, and visit our calendar and special offers section for more free events.

September 8–14

Wednesday, September 8
Capoeira Class
If you've never tried capoeira—Brazil's popular full-body workout that melds martial arts with music and dance—now's your chance. Every Wednesday through September 29, an expert instructor will host a free, hour-long capoeira class at Chelsea Triangle (at Ninth Avenue and West 14th Street) at 6:30pm, courtesy of the Chelsea Improvement Company. The session is the perfect way to shake off a long day at the office.

Thursday, September 9
Sherwood and Lloyd J. Schwartz: Brady, Brady, Brady: The Complete Story of The Brady Bunch as Told by the Father/Son Team Who Really Know
In their new tell-all book, Sherwood and Lloyd J. Schwartz—the father-son team who created, wrote and produced The Brady Bunch—give fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse of America's favorite wholesome family. Recounting everything from the show's creation, casting and rise in popularity to the cast's offscreen dramas, the Schwartzes' nostalgic account reveals that there was far more to The Brady Bunch than runs for class presidency, prom-related predicaments and Alice's meatloaf. Both authors, along with Christopher Knight (Peter Brady) and Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady), will appear at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle at 7:30pm to talk about and sign copies of their very Brady book.

Friday, September 10
Fashion's Night Out
The second annual edition of this event promises to be even better than the first. Produced in conjunction with Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, New York City and NYC & Company, Fashion's Night Out motivates fashionistas to dress up in their chicest looks and take to the streets en masse, going store to store for complimentary cocktails, giveaways and the chance to catch a glimpse of models and fashion-forward celebs participating in unexpected activities. This year, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough (both of Proenza Schouler) are judging a karaoke contest at Barneys, while Donna Karan, Zac Posen and Charlotte Ronson are showing up at Saks Fifth Avenue, which will be the site of a fashion sketch-off and "Dancing with Designers." Be sure to stop off at Bergdorf Goodman, where Mary J. Blige, Jason Wu, Nicole Richie and Victoria Beckham are appearing. Fashion's Night Out runs from 6 to 11pm in all five boroughs. For a full lineup of Fashion's Night Out's hundreds of parties and special events, visit fashionsnightout.com powered by QVC.

Saturday, September 11
9-11 World Trade Center Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony
In remembrance of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, The New York Buddhist Church will hold its ninth-annual Floating Lanterns Ceremony, a reflective and cathartic opportunity to commune with other New Yorkers and to mourn family, friends and loved ones. Beginning at 6pm, attendees can inscribe names and/or inspiring messages on lanterns, then light and release them onto the Hudson River at Pier 40 (located at West Houston Street); the Japanese ritual will be accompanied by musical performances and an interfaith prayer and meditation. For more information, see our compilation of September 11 memorial events taking place around the City.

Sunday, September 12
Broadway on Broadway
Now in its 19th year, Broadway on Broadway is a star-studded extravaganza organized to kick off the fall Broadway season. This year, catch performances from the stars of the biggest shows in town—including American Idiot, In the Heights, West Side Story, Memphis (the 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Musical) and much more—right in the heart of the Theatre District in Times Square. Kelsey Grammer, who is currently starring in La Cage Aux Folles, hosts the celebration, which begins at 11:30am.

Monday, September 13
Williamsburg Spelling Bee
"Stromuhr," a term that refers to a tool used for measuring the speed and quantity of blood flow through an artery, was the winning word at the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year. While the words at Pete's Candy Store may not be quite as tough as the ones the kids get on ESPN and ABC, you should by no means expect to breeze through them. The hosts at the Williamsburg Spelling Bee hurl one head-scratching doozy after another, and simply knowing "i before e except after c" isn't going to cut it. The Williamsburg Spelling Bee takes place every other Monday at 7:30pm until the finals on December 6. Winners get free drinks and a spot in the finals, where they'll clash for cash and other p-r-i-z-e-s.

Tuesday, September 14
Reggie Watts
If you were lucky enough to get into any of Conan O'Brien's sold-out shows this summer, you'd already be familiar with Brooklyn-based funnyman Reggie Watts, who opened for Conan on The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour. On Tuesday in Fort Greene Park, Watts shows off his eclectic brew of comedy and music; the event also features a performance by the enormously talented gospel/soul group Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens, also from Brooklyn. The show begins at 6:30pm on Myrtle Lawn.