FREE Cool Stuff in DC this summer, well most of it is free

http://www.artomatic.org/

Artomatic is a month-long art festival in DC that is free to the general public celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Monument Realty and the Capitol Riverfront BID have provided a brand-new 275,000 square foot building to host Artomatic, right next to the Nationals Stadium. The event features nine floors of visual and installation art, theater performances, dance and comedy, three music stages, street performances such as fire dancing and drum troupes, and a film screening theater. Workshops and seminars are held all month long and special events such as the Washington Post's Peeps diorama finalists, the Zombie Prom, Box Racing, body paint shows, and a no-holds-barred Art in Fashion Show.

With four stages, four bars and a lounge on each floor, the 10th Anniversary Artomatic is bigger than ever. 52,500 people attended Artomatic last year, and 70,000 are expected this year. Over 1,000 visual artists and 600 performing artists are exhibiting this year.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival - THIS weekend and next

http://www.festival.si.edu/index.aspx

Art Unplugged: 38 Acts. 8 Weeks. 8 Locations.

http://newsroom.dc.gov/show.aspx/agency/dcarts/section/2/release/17382/year/2009

Capital Hip-Hop Soul Fest, nuff said, one day only

http://www.capitalhiphopsoulfest.com/

Capital Fringe Festival (not free, but darn close)

http://www.capfringe.org/

Hundreds of performances all over the city - to those that went to see the Stalker play last year, alas it looks like he isn't performing this year.

You have to shop anyway,why not start at this link -  http://www.upromise.com/guest/2080517432