The 20 best cheap things to do this weekend, lavishly literary edition

[Ed note: Reminder, we have a separate roundup for activism-focused events, which we encourage you to check out here.]

1. Queer up your comedy at Kweendom Back-to-School Fest, starring Matteo Lane, Joel Kim Booster, Julio Torres, Jen Keefe, and Becca Trabin. (Friday, Pete’s Candy Store, FREE)

2. Lit it up at the Brooklyn Indie Party, where you can hobnob with the borough’s literati from Akashic to Melville House to One Story. (Friday, Greenlight Books, FREE)

3. Go wild at Wastedland 2, an immersive existential fantasy film installation within a post-apocalyptic graffiti wonderland. (Friday, Knockdown Center, $5)

4. Let the darkness in at Bête Noir, an eerie evening filled with art, drag, performance, burlesque, and painting, from Vic Sin, Lee Valone, Maxxx Pleasure, and more. (Friday, Lot 45, $10)

5. Prowl around at Feline Gloomy, a cat-themed dance party from Feeling Glooming, with an enormous scratching post, gigantic ball of yarn, whisker face-painting, and kitteh tunes from DJs Gordon and Nathaniel Gloom. (Friday, Littlefield, $6)

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6. Rock out by the waterside at Celebrate Red Hook, with performances from Mary-Elaine Jenkins, Johnny Pinhook, Lizzie & the Makers, Andi Rae Healy, and many more. (Saturday, IKEA Plaza, FREE)

7. Snack hard at Eat Greene, a street fair and smorgasbord of treats from the likes of Pequeña, Masala Mama, and No. 7, plus tattoos, glass bead making, Swagga Jumpers, and live bands. (Saturday, The Greene Grape Annex, FREE)

8. Commune with the beyond at the Bushwick Psychic Fair, a gathering of divination practitioners doing psychic Reiki, angel oracles, palmistry, and more. (Saturday, Daya Yoga, FREE)

9. Pretend you’re on a tropical island at A Night of Caribbean Film & Culture, brought to you by caribBEING. (Saturday, Parkside Plaza, FREE)

10. Bring your gang to the Cult Party Grand Opening, with a live fashion show, an “all-inclusive raffle,” a girl gang contest, live music, and more. (Saturday, Cult Party, FREE)

11. Booze it up at Hot Glass Cold Beer, where you’ll receive a custom-made drinking glass to fill with unlimited suds while watching glass blowing, neon bending, and flame working. (Saturday, Brooklyn Glass, $25)

12. Stuff yourself silly at Nowafest Dinner, an all-you-can-eat meal featuring German-style sausages from the Meat Hook and special beers from Threes Brewing. (Saturday, Nowadays, $25)

13. Blast into the stratosphere at Deep Space, with music from Nightspace, Reagan Holiday, Guayaba, Sur Back, and Julia Santoli. (Saturday, The Bronze, $5–$10 suggested)

14. Prep up your jokes at Popped Collar Comedy, with stand-up from John Rosenberger, Julia Johns, Mary Cella, Ramsey Badawi, and Dan Wickes. (Saturday, The Platform, FREE)

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15. It’s the most bibliophilic day of the year: the Brooklyn Book Festival, with 300+ authors on 14 stages, plus 250 publishers, presses, and bookstores hawking their literary wares. (Sunday, Brooklyn Borough Hall, FREE)

16. Kick up your heels at the 42nd annual Flatbush Frolic, with food, dancing, live music, a pizza eating contest, a craft fair, local businesses, and more. (Sunday, Cortelyou Rd., FREE)

17. Give ageism the finger at Advantages of Age NYC Launch Event, an afternoon of live music, yummy food, and stimulating conversation with flamboyant folks over 45. (Sunday, address w/ ticket purchase, $15)

18. Get hella glittery at the Unicorn Carnival, a day of makeup, magic, and music from Justine Skye, Alli Simpson, Lucki Starr, Darby Anne Walker, Sophie Beem, and more. (Sunday, Coney Art Walls, $25)

19. Hear terrific tales at Big Irv’s Storytelling Roadshow, with yarns spun by Drew Prochaska, Sean O’Brien, Adrien Behn, Peter Gerber, Nick Padilla, and more. (Sunday, Big Irv’s, FREE)

20. Hoot and holler at the Hank Williams 94th Birthday Celebration, featuring tribute performances from Alex Battles, Tamar Korn, Queen Ester, Ali Dineen, Jack Grace, and many more. (Sunday, Jalopy Theater, $5)

Want more? Check out our full events calendar and add your own event today!

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