Free events in Toronto this week won't overdo it on the Valentine's bliss, because love is almost never free. If nothing below tinkles your heartstrings, Progress has free programming like The Republic of Inclusion and Doris McCarthy is hosting a free panel on dance, then there's a Wavelength party with Speedy Ortiz that's free with a WL15 pass (enter here before midnight Feb 8 to win a pair) or a mere $3 if you RSVP. You can also give your time for free: spend V-Day protesting at the 10th Annual Strawberry Ceremony for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls.

Here's how to make the wait for the candy sales bearable in Toronto this week.

1. OkStupid: Live Readings of the Best Worst Online Dating (February 11, Handlebar)
Pretty self explanatory: literary readings from the saddest corners of the internet. Well, no, probably not Widows of Warcraft, but... pretty sad. It's PWYC, so bring some tear-stained coins along.

2. Tetris Championship III (Friday 12, Handlebar)
Calling all 80s whiz kids and Gameboy nerds: think you've got the chops to out-stack all comers? This single round elimination tournament will test your mettle. It's free but registration is still limited, however, so if you're keen to show off your dexterity and problem solving skills, now's the time to sign up. DF

3. Then and Now Series & Talwst Present 'NUBIANS' (February 12, The Drake)
Drake Lab will present an exploration of a hot topic in Toronto this week: black identity in Western art, TALWST, one of our artists to watch in 2015. The opening will be pretty special: small groups at a time will be escorted to "open, close, and closely inspect the artist's incredible new series of hand-held dioramas."

4. Long Winter Fair (February 13, The Great Hall / Queen St. West / Theatre Centre / 99 Sudbury)
Long Winter's music, performance, and art fest is expanding. On Friday see the neighbourhood come alive with a street market complete with local crafts and warm treats. Sip on hot toddies and mulled wine as you sample sugary donuts and apple crisps. The whole all-ages event is PWYC. See our preview of must-sees here. SSZ

5. Winterfolk Music Festival (February 13-15, The Danforth)
Winterfolk's 13th will give Toronto's down home music fans the chance to see 150 urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music artists performing on multiple stages in the Danforth and Broadview area. Some shows charge cover but many gigs are free. Check the schedule on their website.

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.

Have a free event you'd like to plug? Submit it using this form.

Contributions by Sima Sahar Zerehi, Derek Flack

Photo: Hearts by Jane Bao in the blogTO Flickr pool