Free events in Toronto this week are heavy on music, film, and art, maybe because they know that the people in your life aren't enough to see you through the hardships that come from being financially screwed. While love is great, sometimes an escape or reflective moment that comes from outside our normal schedules makes all the difference between burning out and fading away. And Neil Young was wrong.

Here's how to rejuvenate your will to live in Toronto for free this week.

Summer Cinema at Fort York -The Breakfast Club
Fort York now boasts a free outdoor film festival, and though festival might be pushing it (let's call it a series between you and I), it's free, so we'll shrug and go along. This week's screening is The Breakfast Club. Tuesday, August 12, 7:30pm, Fort York National Historic Site (100 Garrison Rd).

The Indie Blender's 1 Year Anniversary Bash
Catch folky indie rockers Union Duke, The Treasures, and Blue Sky Miners at Indie Blender's first anniversary. Wednesday, August 13, 8pm, The Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington Ave).

#Shortstack: Short Film Screening
Hashtag's monthly screening will showcase short films compiled by Johnny Hollick and Russel Harder. It's PWYC, but there will be snacks so a couple of bucks gets you a light dinner! As if there was any other kind of dinner. Thursday, August 14, 9pm, Hashtag Gallery (801 Dundas St West).

Photographers Without Borders Magazine Launch & FREE Art Exhibit
Check out this Photographers Without Borders Magazine showcase and take your eyes on a trip around the world. A trip your physical being will never get to take, because you keep spending your last $10 on cigarettes. August 14-17, 7pm, Hermann & Audrey (1506 Dundas St West).

Music in St. James Park: MALOO
Maylee Todd's MALOO music project will bring her sparkly aura and on point psych pop boogie to Music in St James Park this week. Thursday, August 14, 7pm, St. James Park (120 King Street East).

Roundtable Residency Opening and Closing Receptions
Check out art and performances that will complete the Dragon Academy's five week summer residency. Curators include Morris Fox, Brandon A. Dalmer, Adrienne Crossman, and Julia Dickens. Friday, August 15, 7pm, The Dragon Academy (35 Prince Arthur Ave).

Bike Share & Cycling Hackathon/Design Jam and Free Community Events
Anyone interested in coding and design should check this out to help create "apps, maps, stories and visualizations" with Bike Share Toronto's data and more. Who knows, maybe your random thing will be on blogTO by next week. August 15-17, Bitmaker Labs (220 King Street West).

Amsterdam 416 Kensington Market Block Party
Not a free event - you have to let $15 slip through your world-beaten fingers to get in - but once you make your way onto the "secret" patio the the beer is all-you-can-drink. Saturday, August 16, 6-11pm, 25 Kensington Ave.

Get your Swirve On - LUST by SPUD1 closing Party
Fan of graffiti? Fan of graffiti art gallery shows? SPUD1 is exploring his lust at this show. He's into the ladies. How unique. Saturday, August 16, Studio Bar (824 Dundas Street West).

BY DIVINE RIGHT, Language-Arts & Gay // FREE SHOW in the Junction
Another three-band-bill indie rock free show at 3030. Living in the Junction isn't all bad, even if you're not wearing diapers and eating from a (vintage, cruelty free) silver spoon. If you're bored count plaid shirts. If you're really bored, count each square. Saturday, August 16, 9pm, 3030 (3030 Dundas West).

SUNDAY SCENE: Brendan George Ko
Brendan George Ko's photo show at Le was one of our top picks for summer art shows in the city, and you can hear what he has to say about exhibit Vasco Araujo: Under the Influence of Psyche. Sunday, August 17, 2pm, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (231 Queens Quay West).

• Elvis Mondays at the Drake
• Foosball Battle Royale, Monday, Disgraceland
• Art Gallery of Ontario free evening, Wednesday, 6-8:30pm.
• IFOA Weekly, free for supporters, students, & youth under 26, Wednesday, Harbourfront Centre
• Skin of My Nuts Comedy Show, Thursday, Sonic Espresso Bar
• Free patio concerts, Thursday until Aug 7, Roy Thomson Hall
• Canadian Opera Company's Free Concerts series
• 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.
• The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) offers discounted tickets on Fridays ($10).