Free events in Toronto this week include free ice cream, which should sweeten up this dreary spring we're having so far for a moment even if it's not quite ice cream weather. Canadian Music Week means some free music shows you can drop into, and Toronto is preparing for TCAF (the Toronto Comic Arts Fest).

Here's how to avoid the deathbed regretsies without angering creditors in Toronto this week.

Dutch Dreams Block Party
Sweet stuff (free ice cream!) is up on Monday up near St. Clair West/Wychwood: family-owned ice cream shop Dutch Dreams is celebrating its recent move a couple of blocks south of its previous location, their 30th Anniversary, and Dutch Liberation Day (the date the Netherlands were liberated from Nazis by the First Canadian Army). Music, entertainment and free ice cream will make for one delicious block party. Monday, May 5, 4-8pm, Dutch Dreams (36 Vaughan Road)

Magpie May Movie Majik: The Doors, Zardoz
Perk up, cult film fans: The Doors (1991) and Zardoz (1974) are screening at Magpie Taproom. Take them in along with super cheap drinks. Tuesday, May 6, 8pm, Magpie Taproom (831 Dundas St. West).

Angel Olsen FREE In-Store @ Sonic Boom
"She's like a magical pixie folk singer. She probably sold her soul to Stevie Nicks." - the person sitting next to me at this bar. I believe it. Wednesday, May 7, 7pm, Sonic Boom - Annex (782 Bathurst Street).

Pivot
This month's Pivot readings series at the Press Club features David James Brock, Nicholas Ruddock, Kevin Spenst, and Jacob Wren. They know you're a broke wannabe writer, but would appreciate a donation just the same. Wednesday, May 7, 8pm, The Press Club (850 Dundas Street West)

TCAF presents the 2014 Drink & Draw!
Toronto Comics Arts Fair is coming up this weekend, and you can get ready for the madness by hanging out at an English Pub with other comic artists and fans at this group draw-a-thon. Wednesday, May 7, 8pm, The Spotted Dick (81 Bloor Street East).

Tell Me Something Good: MAY Sexy Storytelling Slam
Miss playing truth or dare? Inspired by Bawdy Storytelling in California, Tell Me Something Good invites you to stop by and throw your name into their (sexy?) hat -- a lucky few will be selected to speak. And yes, warm up games include truth or dare. Wednesday, May 7, 8pm, Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen Street West).

FLAME: Collaborative Art Jam
If you're feeling crafty, Flame is open to all LGBT2SQ spectrum youth under 29. This session will focus on projections, mini videos, art jamming, and doodles. Wear clothes you don't mind trashing and stay for the snacks. Wednesday, May 7, 6-8pm SKETCH Working Arts (180 Shaw Street, suite 201).

Brockton Writers Series: 07.05.14
Another lit event - battle of the bards? Forget I just said that, and anyway Pivot and Tell Me Something won't start until 8pm. At this edition of BWS Adam Abbas, Kate Cayley, Tom Cho and Amanda Leduc will read, plus Ludec will give a talk on From Couchsurfing to Cafs: The Magic of the DIY Book Tour. Drop a few dollars in the jar, please. Wednesday, May 7, 6:30pm, Full of beans Coffee House & Roastery (1348 Dundas St. West).

Comics vs Games 3D VRcade Opening Party
Do this one as you can afford, gamers: advance tickets are ($10) get you a drink ticket and a pie ticket (pie!), or just show up for free admission. Attract Mode's Comics vs Games 3D Gallery is opening up, and in the VRcade you can play new Oculus Rift collaborations. Thursday, May 8, Bento Miso Collaborative Workspace (862 Richmond Street West).

The Brinkley Girls, World War I and American Patriotism in Womens Comics: A Talk by Trina Robbins TCAF
More TCAF stuff: comics writer, artist and historian Trina Robbins (USA), who authored Pretty in Ink: North American Women Cartoonists 1896-2013, will discuss the Brinkley Girls and war time patriotism. Thursday, May 8, 8pm, MLC Gallery, Ryerson University (111 Gerard Street East).

Ku and Videofag present The Last Match
It's a good week for fans of illustration in TO. "Since 2009, comics magazine ku! has invited international comic artists to draw their interpretations of the last match on paper snips the size of matchbooks." 380 artists from over 52 countries have participated. I love a good concept show and can't wait to check this out. Thursday, May 8, 7-9pm, Videofag (187 Augusta Avenue).

SCUM TV Launch Party w/AYAHUASCA MAY 9
It's a free TV/metal party at KITCH! ScumTV is a video web-zine showcasing metal bands from around the world with interviews, concert footage, and more. Friday, May 9, 9pm KITCH (229 Geary Ave).

Bit Bazaar Spring Fair 2014
If you love gaming, shopping, or food, Bit Bazaar's got something for you. (If you love all three, as I do, then you may want to leave your bank card at home.) This edition of the combination arcade and zine fair is part of TCAF-sponsored event Comics Vs. Games 3; there'll be over 30 exhibitors, from indie game developers to fine artists to Haitian street food vendors. Saturday, May 10, 11am-8pm, Bento Miso (862 Richmond St. West).

May Acts
Sterling Studio Theatre Collective are celebrating their second season at 163 Sterling Rd. Week 1 features PWYC matinees - see more info here. Saturday May 10 and Sunday May 11, 2pm, Sterling Studio Theatre (163 Sterling Road).

Rudy & Detrimental Information Launch Party
Weird Things on Bathurst is launching two books: Rudy and Detrimental Information. There will be readings, spoken word, live music, and drinks. Oh, and drawings of cute cats. Saturday, May 10, 7:30pm, Weird Things (998 Bathurst St.).

BAD TUCK: Maleficunt
This wild Maleficent theme party at the Beaver is only free under one condition: you try your hand at Maleficunt themed drag. (Princess Whore-ora, Pink/Green/Blue Hairy Fairies, etc - be creative!). Otherwise it's $5 and you're normcore. Saturday, May 10, 10:30pm, The Beaver (1192 Queen St W).

Free Canadian Music Week concerts by the day:

• iM & CMW: The Other Girl / Port Of Call / Goodnight Sunrise / Jordan Faye & The Grey Owls / Sarah Budden Wed. May 7, Charlie's Gallery 112 Harbord St
• CMW at The Central Wed. May 7, The Central (603 Markham Street) - free before 8pm only.
• iM & CMW: Jeff Beadle / The Hollowbodies / Jay Miln / DT & The Dinosaurs / Dean Marino Thurs. May 8, Charlie's Gallery 112 Harbord St.
• CMW: Saturns // Ariel // Devah Quartet // Bathurst Station Thurs. May 8, Velvet Underground (510 Queen Street West) - free after 12:15am (until 4am) only.
• CMW at The Central Fri. May 9, The Central (603 Markham Street) - free before 8pm only.
• iM & CMW: Marlon Chaplin / Mark Martyre / Jon Hynes / Emily Reid / Gdansk Fri. May 9, Charlie's Gallery 112 Harbord St.
• CMW at The Central Sat. May 10, The Central (603 Markham Street) - free before 8pm only.

Also, check out these regular free events in Toronto

• 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
• 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).

Photo: Jesse Milns, Bit Bazaar contribution by Natalia Manzocco.