Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week.
Monday 29 April
ART: Base Elements is a new group exhibition at The Gallery, Mayfair, featuring seven artists who hope to demonstrate the versatility of raw materials, by working with a variety of mediums, forms and methods. Free, just turn up, until 4 May
POETRY: A free evening of poetry, storytelling, spoken word and short film awaits you at Switch, which takes place at Rich Mix tonight. Free, just turn up, 6pm
SHAKESPEARE: Peter Brook talks to Mark Lawson about his new collection of essays on Shakespeare, at the National Theatre. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm
ARTIST TALK: Sara Shamsavari's London Veil series, that documents London's young Muslim women and their self-styled hijabs, recently exhibited at the Royal Festival Hall and today she talks at Regent Street's Apple Store about her journey and recent work. Free, just turn up, 7pm
Tuesday 30 April
CRAFTY BOOTY: The Make Escape is a free, monthly craft night where attendees can try their hand at knitting, beading and jewellery making alongside experienced designers. Tonight's event also has a Treasure Island theme and there will be a live DJ. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
LIVE MUSIC: Ah, Oxford. Renowned for its collegiate university, incredible architecture and... live music? Well it can be, as Oxfordian promotions team, PinDrop Performances, are bringing the best of Oxford's music scene to the capital. Deer Chicago, Listing Ships and Dallas Don't all perform this evening at The Buffalo Bar. £5/£4, prebook, 8pm
Wednesday 1 May
TWEET OUT LOUD: Remember the days when people used to talk rather than tweet? Join Tweet Out Loud tonight and take it back to basics as attendees can deliver their one-liners, Haikus, slogans or thoughts on stage. The catch? You only have 20 seconds. £1, just turn up, 7pm
MONSTERS: Lloyd Shepherd, Amanda Craig, Suzi Feay, Emran Mian and Meike Ziervogel are reading about Monsters at the Working Men’s College Library in Camden. Free, prebook, 7pm
POST-SOVIET SOUNDS: Experimental art pioneers Radio Gagarin unite once more with The Dash Cafe at Rich Mix. Tonight features music and experimental audio performances from Langham Research Centre, Sasha Ilyukevich and The Highly Skilled Migrants; and a DJ set from Max Reinhardt. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
Thursday 2 May
COMEDY GREATS FILM: Tonight at Westminster Reference Library, Neil Sean screens his latest DVD Empires, Hippodromes and Palaces - a film to remember the greats of comedy and variety. Free, just turn up, 6pm
Friday 3 May
GETTY: Getty Images Gallery's Best of Archive celebrates a selection of of iconic images from the Getty Images Archive, the world's largest commercial photography archive with a collection of over 90 million images to choose from. Free, just turn up, until 18 May
FREE FILM: The New Cross & Deptford Free Film Festival ends on Sunday, so take a look at what free screenings are taking place over the weekend. Tonight, it is The Cabinet of Dr Calligari. Free, just turn up, 8pm
Saturday 4 May
MAKE YOUR OWN FILM: As part of the Herne Hill Free Film Festival, you can make your own short film for their 48 Hour Film Competition. Collect your prop, location and dialogue from the Prince Regent Pub, and you will have 48 hours to return with your creation. There will be prizes for winners and all films will be screened. Free, just turn up, from 11am
WALK: Join a CoolTan Arts CoolWalk today and discover Peckham Rye's hidden green spaces, the area's links to literature and visit the site of William Blake's vision. Free, meet at Peckham Library, 12pm
MORE FREE FILM: Also courtesy of the Herne Hill Free Film Festival, there is a screening of Muriel's Wedding tonight at Brockwell Lido. Free, just turn up, 8pm
Sunday 5 May
PLAY: The Sunday Assembly is a non-religious organisation who meet the first Sunday of every month for inspirational talks, songs and frivolities. Today's topic is Play. Free, just turn up, 11am
Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun.
