Everyone loves a freebie. Promise's skating party was packed last year -- expect similar numbers this Friday night -- and while the music and crowd add to the draw, free trumps all, with cheap a close second. After the jump, check out these free events, with a couple of choice cheapies also in the mix. (Got a free or cheap event to add? Drop it in the comments, and we thank-a you.) (UPDATED)

(All events without cover charge listed are free)

Thursday, January 11

Alchemy Society at Fressen: Rich Underhill is a local gem of a sax-man. Look away for a second and he's touring Europe, then turn around and he's doing his thing again with one of his many horny projects around town. Alchemy Society, who you may recall from such street parties as PS Kensington, continues their funky breakbeat improv-style Thursday night residence at Fressen. (Hey, whatever happened to their Sunday night hip-hop jam?)

No More Heroes with DJs Shit La Merde, Mike Apples, Lil Jazz and Justin Peroff at The Social: This crew gets the hip-hop sexy-sillyhead anti-heroes and party kids bumpin' with a grab-bag of tricky beats and sexy treats. As Denise Benson put it: "There's no question that 2006 was the year of the punk-funk-indie-dance-electro-house-tech-grime-glitch-disco-hip-hop-pop-and-beyond blends."(source) What else do you need, cheap booze? Done and done. (PS: This one's free as far as I can tell!)

Friday January 12

The Fukhouse crew gets compressed at TOI Bar, a haven for techno heads and fans of tight dance floors. Jeff Milligan, Noah Pred and Lee Osborne will keep the beats pumpin' and the vibe flowing for College Street regulars and Promise skaters headed uptown. Milligan, a veteran spinner who gets props for his four-turntable style, is reportedly moving to digital styles following this show -- so it's likely fans' last chance to see him on the multiple decks for a while.

Casual Sex at the Rivoli with Modernboys Moderngirls, Hostile Takeover and The Easy Targets ($6): Promoter & MM'er Akira Alemany's showcase of local bands really does amount to a hot party with tons of making out. No, seriously. Indie bands getting sweaty right there with the audience, who in turn do a little dance, make a little love. What's not to like? Bands start at 10 p.m., MM hits the stage at midnight.

Roomparty at The Queenshead: From MySpace: "DJ Gay enjoys long walks on the beach and serving food to surly businessmen. DJ Hi Mom likes the smell of success and being a snarky clerk. We play 60s rock, 70s funk, 80s new-wave, 90s indie rock, and everything in between. We encourage dancing in the utmost."

Pass The Dynamite at Stones Place: All night rhythm and soul party? Sounds like a good spot to get down. Old school!

Bang The Party at the Boat ($5): The "Gang of Two" -- DJs AndyCapp and Rod Skimmins -- brings bohemian beats of the disco, boogie, electro, b-boy breaks and leftfield house varieties. Bangin'.

Saturday January 13

Call and Response with A Man Called Warwick at Cloak and Dagger: The last Turning Point got nice and tropical as usual, and while RUN DMC (pictured) probably won't show, everyone else will. Prepare for a tight squeeze and a tribal backbeat.

The Next Party with DJs Dougie Boom & ("Nasty") Nav @ The Boat (free before 11, $5 after): Raunchy hip-hop, b-more and electro from your friendly neighbourhood rowdy-ass party animals. Bring your skills on the mic if you've got the cojones.

Shake a Tail at Stones Place ($5): Since this tri-monthly event's more popular than a beehive cut, how much do you need to know? Retro good times and Britpop shakedowns return after their New Year's blowout. Groove on.

Sunday January 14

Travel Agency at Insomnia: DJs Akira and Sky's night of melodic d n' b and house (leftfield and, uh, regular) lifts off in the Annex.

Image from DaveyD.com.

Special shout out to FreeNYC.net and SF's Broke As Fuck -- don't hate on the Yanks, especially not in high-rent cities like those -- remember, everyone loves a freebie.