Frugal Fun Alert: Weekend

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

FRIDAY
Holiday Karaoke Gong Show & Rock Band 2 Shred-A-Thon: Come to the Balcony at the Trocadero (1003 Arch Street) at 10PM to enjoy this event, hosted by the evil overlord of Eternia himself, Skeletor! You can sing your favorite karaoke songs, but if your vocal stylings do not please Skeletor, he will give you the gong. If that's too much pressure for you, you can rock out on the two-player wireless Rock Band 2 setup, which is hooked up to the Troc's full-size movie screen. There are $2 drink specials all night long, and the event itself is FREE.

Melt the Ice: This live variety show, which includes song, dance, drag, sexy dancers, and much more, is presented by PhillyGayCalendar and performed by the touring cast of A Chorus Line, with music provided by DJ Carl Michaels. Proceeds go to ActionAIDS in Philadelphia and Equity Fights AIDS in New York. Find it at Pure (1221 Saint James Street) at 9PM. $10

The New Philadelphia Poets: A reading by the New Philadelphia Poets, followed by an open mic session, at Wooden Shoe Books (508 S. 5th Street) at 7PM. $5 suggested donation at the door, wine and appetizers for a small price. All proceeds go to BuildaBridge's ''Painting a Brighter Future'' campaign.

SATURDAY
Deb Callahan Band Blues Soul Show: The blues/soul/rock band performs at The Blinkin Lincoln (6080 Ridge Avenue) at 10PM. $5

Mac Lethal: Village Green Productions presents Mac Lethal with Grieves, DJ Sku and Jawnzap7 at the M-Room at 9PM. $8

Pierrot le fou: Jean-Luc Godard's 1965 film, part of the Janus Collection, will screen at the International House (3701 Chestnut Street) at 7PM. A man dissatisfied with his marriage and his life takes off with the babysitter, leaving the bourgeoisie behind for a road trip that turns into "a stylish mash-up of consumerist satire, politics and comic-book aesthetics." Said to be one of the high points of the French new wave. $7 ($5 for students, members, and seniors)

SUNDAY
Avi Wisnia: Beginning at 7:30PM, the bossa nova singer/songwriter and his band will perform two sets for a special holiday show upstairs at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street) with special guests. Visit the WCL site for tickets, or call 215-222-1400. $10

Walking Fish Comedy: Philadelphia’s newest stand-up comedy night is sponsored by Philadelphia Brewing Company, and presented at the Walking Fish Theatre (2509 Frankford Ave) at 8PM on the second Sunday of every month until June. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 215-427-WALK. $10

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