-Those Darlins are putting on a free show before they play at the Sunset. Where? Sonic Boom in Ballard. When? Today (Friday) at 6 pm.

-Those crazy teens should take advantage of “Teen Swim” at the Ballard Pool where they can splash around for free between 7-8 pm, tonight (Friday).

-Give audience feedback and see a free special workshop of ARTIFACTS OF CONSEQUENCE performed at Theater Schmeater at 1500 Summit Ave, tonight (Friday) at 7:30-9:30 pm.

Have a free, wet weekend.

I’m off to Portland for an 8k race, but thought you should know that usually races cost you money to register. Some, like Amica’s Marathon can put you $75 in the hole.

That’s why I’m excited to tell you that Run Vera Run is absolutely FREE to register! And the word on the street is that the treats are worth the FREEness. Walk around Seward Park and when you’re done feast on free pizza and cupcakes. Of course, they are taking donations, but like I said the registration is FREE and that’s FREE enough for me.

photo by ray tracing [flickr] via our group pool [#]

• Art walks in West Seattle [wsaw] and Capitol Hill [blitz] duke it out for your autumn evening attentions.
• In West Seattle, the opening party for an exhibition of photos by Chona Kasinger, who’s easily one of the best rock photographers in the city. Though she’s not yet allowed into 21+ shows, she’s nevertheless assembled a drool-worthy portfolio of just about every band who matters for just about every outlet that counts. Highlights are on display at Cupcake Royale.
• Richard Dawkins cheers up the evolutionists at Hec Ed. Arrive early and bring pom poms. [ubookstore]
• the Stranger gets happy at Pony with free books, a drawing for hard-to-come-by HUMP tickets, and happy hour specials. [slog]

This just in:

The City Council is now reviewing Mayor Greg Nickels’ proposed 2010 budget, which includes $2.8 million in cuts to the Library budget. Proposed cuts include a reduction in branch operating hours and a one-week closure of the entire Library system. The proposed hours reduction would mean that 21 Library locations would be closed on Fridays and Sundays – all year. Overall, the Library would lose about 23 percent of its open hours compared with 2009.

The proposed budget will impact all of our communities and neighbors who are relying on our libraries for computer access, job search resources, educational support, gathering spaces, and librarian assistance. In 2008, more than 13 million customers visited the Library and so far this year, visits are up another 8 percent. Circulation of books and other items was up 20 percent in 2008; this year it is up an additional 11 percent.

Want to save the libraries? Tell the city council you want your library open on Fridays and Sundays! Attend a city council budget committee meeting this upcoming Monday at City Hall (600 Fourth Avenue, 2nd floor, in the council chambers) and share your opinion with those who hold the purse strings.

A family drama set in multiple Ikea showrooms:

Israeli artist Guy Ben Nur makes Ikea living rooms look like foreign lands we enter into. In his film “Stealing Beauty,” now playing at Western Bridge, he comments on the stark reality of remaining an immigrant in your own bedroom (your bed frame designed in Sweden, assembled in China, and sold just off I-5). But Guy Ben Ner isn’t content to simply satirize the American dream home. He also weaves in Marxist speeches, hilarious camera faux-paus, and visual gags into his work (check out the giant price tags and alien-like stock photos in the picture frames). The results transcend typical consumerist critiques.

Now playing at Western Bridge as part of a series of installations on the relationships between parents and children.

September 24th, Cold Stone Creamery locations, 5-8pm

Now that Summer officially ended yesterday and with a nice, warm day to send us off into Fall, what better way to celebrate (or mourn) than with free ice cream from http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/promos/makeawish/. They do ask for a donation, since the flavors they’re handing out were created by Make-A-Wish kids. But I remember partaking in my free cup last year without a dime on me and no one seemed to care. Yay free (or practically free)!

I’ve been on a weird Free hiatus, but I’m back with a vengeance! Check out these Free things fast. Some are ending soon!

Park(ing) Days – I just went to the one on University and 1st. It’s worth going to see the musician in velvet pants. Wow. Go right now because it all ends at 3pm.

Festival of Fruit – Saturday September 19, 11 am – 3pm. Talk about fruit at Carkeek Park for free.

Cascade Free Market – every Sunday at 1:30pm – After seeing the size of their squash and zucchini blossoms I can attest that if you’re looking for free produce, you won’t be disappointed. I’m not sure the logistics of this, but heck just go and see their bountiful garden anyway. It’s free!

Modern Gentlement’s Quartet plays as attendees begin to file into Il Fornaio
for the All for Fall Benefit Bash.

Pacific Place kicked off their five-day All for Fall customer celebration event tonight with the Benefit Bash to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The event series, which includes a gourmet taste-off, art and fashion shows, and an autograph signing for sports fans, also includes a huge number of discounts, giveaways and door prizes (listed here) that benefit both shoppers and charities.

Tonight’s event was attended by over 100 people, and organizers from the Western Washington & Alaska Ronald McDonald House Charities hoped to raise enough to fund housing for families of seriously ill children being treated at Seattle Children’s Hospital. It costs $80 a night for families to stay at the house, but families are only asked to pay $20 a night, and no one is turned away because of an inability to pay- less than half of the families staying at the house in Seattle pay any portion of the cost of housing. Seattle’s Ronald McDonald House is the third largest in the nation and hosts 80 families each night.

This is the first year that Pacific Place has offered the customer appreciation events for multiple days, according to Lynn Beck, Pacific Place General Manager. The change in format benefits both customers and retailers by driving business to Pacific Place, giving deep discounts to customers, and raising funds for both Ronald McDonald House and America SCORES Seattle, who will be hosting a photo and autograph session with Seattle Sounders players on Sunday, Sept. 20th. The multi-day event came in part through brainstorming between the various retailers who are major sponsors of the events, including Il Fornaio, Something Silver, United Colors of Benetton, MaxMara and Twist.

“It’s a great way to reward Pacific Place’s clients,” said Cullen Tavelli, Twist’s store manager. “The new format allows everyone to enjoy the benefits of the event. By making it a five-day event, it gives a lot more people the opportunity to attend… The management really listened to their tenants, and we wanted to support them with this event; and we can’t help but want to support [Ronald McDonald House]- we think they’re a great charity.”

Twist is giving away a blown-glass piece by Viscosity during the event, while Helly Hansen is giving away fleeces to the first 125 guests who mention the promotion. MaxMara is giving away a handbag, and other retailers are offering complimentary yoga classes, massages, consultations with personal stylists or personal shoppers, and Trophy cupcakes(!). A significant number of retailers are offering 10-20 percent discounts on purchases for the next five days as well, so if you’ve been lusting after a cellphone accessory or a Benetton cardigan, you might want to head over to Pacific Place before Sunday.