Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week.
Monday 11 March
BOOKS: Lucy Caldwell, Kit Caless, Will Storr and Beatrice Hitchman read from their work at literary party night The Book Stops Here. Free, just turn up at Alley Cat, 4 Denmark Street, Soho for 8pm.
Tuesday 12 March
MATERIAL WORLD: Join Professor Mark Miodownik at UCL's Darwin Building for a lunchtime talk on how the line between living and non-living is blurring with the advancement of bionic people and living buildings. Free, just turn up, 1.15pm
IDEAS: Find out whether Eastern Europe still exists at the LSE IDEAS public lecture. Free, just turn up, starts 6.30pm.
Wednesday 13 March
LUNCH SANCTUARY: Retreat to St Olave's for a classical recital including Elgar's Violin Sonata. Free, just turn up, 1.05pm.
TALK: Hannah Hull talks about art walks and artists walking as an act of subversion, play, protest or contemplation at Housman's Bookshop, Caledonian Road. Entry £3 (redeemable against any purchases on the night), just turn up for 7pm.
Thursday 14 March
LOCALISM: Join a talk and debate on The Working Village: The making of a radical entrepreneurial village at the Architectural Association, Bedford Square. Free, just turn up, runs 6-8pm.
OCCULTISM: South East London Folklore Society explore The Occult Life of Dennis Wheatley upstairs at the Old Kings Head, Borough High Street. £2.50/£1.50, just turn up, starts 8pm.
Friday 15 March
LUNCH MUSIC: Singer-songwriter Alex Taylor plays acoustic guitar in the Royal Festival Hall foyer. Judge for yourself whether comparisons with Bill Withers, John Martyn, Damien Rice and Jeff Buckley are justified. Free, just turn up, 1pm.
FAMILY CEILI: Get the family in the mood for St Patrick's Day with a free family céili at the London Irish Centre. Free, just turn up, starts 7.30pm.
Saturday 16 March
MUSIC MAKING: Book a free music lesson and try learning to play a musical instrument on Learn to Play Day. Free, check the website for participating stores and venues and booking.
MASLENITSA: Celebrate the Russian Sun Festival in Trafalgar Square with family and friends. Expect music, crafts, authentic Russian food, plus games and other fun in the kids' marquee. Zdravstvui Maslenitsa! Free, just turn up, from 1.30-6.30pm.
Sunday 17 March
CRAIC: Central London goes green for the St Patrick's Day Parade and Party, ending in Trafalgar Square for an afternoon of Irish comedy and a children's area. Free, just turn up for the craic between 12-6pm.
CLEAN UP: Volunteer and join a Capital Clean Up session near you, in Southwark, Richmond and Lambeth.
Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun.
Maslenitsa photo by Chris Kench Photography via the Londonist Flickrpool.
