Free events in Toronto this week will have you braving the cold around town at the Progress performance festival and various Black History month events, plus a very sexy story telling slam and a cinema free-for-all. You can also stop by TIFF's "Bold, Black, Risk-Takers", an Evening Honouring "The Book of Negroes," for free on February 3, and Douglas Coupland's PWYC exhibit at MOCCA is on now.

Here's how to forget you just signed away 50% of your paycheque in Toronto this week.

1. Progress (February 4-15)
The Progress festival has a number of free shows this week, including Silent Dinner with Amanda Coogan and collaborators at the The Theatre Centre (Feb 7), Dance as Metaphor, Language and Lens at BMO Incubator (Feb 7), and Make. Make Public. at the Theatre Centre (Feb 8)

2. Tell Me Something Good 1 Year Anniversary and Podcast Launch (February 4, Gladstone)
Sexy storytelling slam Tell Me Something Good is celebrating their first anniversary and the launch of their new podcast just in time for Valentine's Day. All you need to do to tell a story at the event is write your name on a slip of paper. Hot.

3. Then & Now presents Kuumba (February 6-8, Harbourfront Centre)
The Harbourfront hosts this celebration of African and Caribbean heritage for Black History month where most events are free including a screening of Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise, and Soca on Ice. Check out the line up on their website.

4. Black History Month Concert Series (February 7, Gladstone)
As part of Black History Month, the Gladstone will host free concerts each Saturday night at 9pm. This week features Young Stars de Montreal (Congo).

5. CineCycle Winter 2015 Toronto Open Screening (February 8, CineCycle)
No one will be turned away from this pay-what-you-can open screening at CineCycle on Spadina. Just watch the weirdo fun or bring your masterpieces or weirdo home movies (35mm, 16mm, 8mm, super 8 film, VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray, Quicktime, AVI, whatever) and sign up by 7pm.

Also check out these regular free events

Elvis Mondays (Mondays, The Drake)
Toronto's longest running indie showcase, William New's free show has put thousands of bands on stage. It's at the Drake Underground every Monday.

Free Nights at the Horseshoe (Monday/Tuesday, The Horseshoe)
The Legendary Horseshoe has a storied history, and hosts free indie rock shows in the early week with Shoeless Mondays and Dave Bookman's Nu Music Night on Tuesdays.

Free Evening (Wednesday, AGO)
The Art Gallery of Ontario's free evening runs from 6-8:30pm. It can be a little crowded, but sometimes the people watching is as good as the art (sometimes).

CINSSU's Free Friday Films (Fridays)
Though the Innis Town Hall is still under construction, you can follow the Cinema Studies Student Union for reliable Friday night movies and solid picks at Isabel Bader Theatre and/or Alumni Hall 100.

Canadian Opera Company (Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre)
September through to early June, catch free classical shows at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts "most Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, and some Wednesdays at noon or 5:30 p.m."

MOCCA (Tuesday - Sunday)
While nearly all art galleries in the city are free to enter, it's worth noting The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) is always PWYC.

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Photo via Harbourfront Centre