Free events in Toronto this week stack live music and outdoor film screenings, but there's a little something for cat lovers, photography lovers, and peace lovers - same thing? No, not always: when I was a small child a photographer's daughter found me in a closet during hide and seek, threw her cat at me, and closed the door. I never got over the trauma, and here I am today, barely making ends meet and trolling our events hub for free things to try to make contact at.

Here's how to practice bridging the gap to terrifying otherness for free in Toronto this week.

Free Live Showcase
Catch the retro feel and smooth soul classics (this is my radio voice) of the St. Royals' 9 piece band for free at the Drake this Monday. July 7, 10:30pm, The Drake Hotel Lounge (1150 Queen St. West).

Project Wild Thing outdoor screening at Fort York
On Wednesday you can check out the David Suzuki Foundation's Homegrown National Park Project's free screening of Project Wild Thingďťż. It's free, as is the live jazz, but bring money for drinks and snacks if you like. Wednesday, July 9, 7pm. Fort York, (100 Garrison Rd).

Music in St. James Park: KC Roberts & the Live Revolution
Free music in the outdoors by some local funk favourites, 8-piece KC Roberts & the Live Revolution. Thursday, July 10, 7pm, St. James Park (120 King Street East).

Speaker Series on SEX&HIPHOP
If you're going to do a lecture, do it right. Do a lecture on sex and hip hop. F-You: The Forgiveness Project are presenting. Thursday, July 10, 6:30pm, Manifesto (37 Bulwer St).

DCP x TUPF: Pop-Up Gallery & Festival Closing Gala
The TUPF Toronto Urban Photography Festival is winding down, but they're going to shoot that last exposure like they mean it with a photo shot, raffle/giveaway, and of course, alcohol (which isn't free). At aarty with the photogs it's best not to forget to work your angles. Friday, July 11, 6:30-11pm, 180 Sudbury Street.

Pan Am One Year Countdown
One year until Toronto is flooding with Pan Am tourists. Celebrate it? There will be a life-size foosball machine on site. Friday and Saturday. July 11-12, Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St West).

Cultura Festival
Why do anything indoors? (I say this to my boss in a whiny voice - ineffective.) Cultura Fest is back at Mel Lastman Square July 11, 18, and 25. Performers, art installs, and film screenings are all free. Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge Street).

Los Van Van in Toronto free concert
Cuban band Los Van Van has a long history, and they'll be at City Hall for free on Saturday. July 12, 8pm, Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen Street West).

MAKE IT
Free gig with Steely Chan, No Luck Club, LAL, Stop Die Resuscitate, maaskant, Yola Beru, and Bruno Capinan. That's Chan, not Dan. Saturday, July 12, 8pm, Westjet Stage, Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West).

2 Year Anniversary at P&L : SAT.JUL.12
Happy Birthday, Parts & Labour! The celebration is only free until 11pm, and there will be swag. And cupcakes. It's $5 after 11, by the way, so don't be late. Saturday, July 12, 10:30pm, Parts & Labour (1566 Queen St. West).

Time for Peace in Toronto
Are you like, into peace? RSVP for an invite see hear International ambassador for peace Prem Rawat live. Feel the peace. No cat throwing here. Sunday, July 13, 7pm, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (1 Front Street East).

CPFF Days of Summer: Mr. Hulot's Holiday a night of seaside flicks
Christie Pits Film Fest is screening Jacques Tati's Mr. Hulot's Holiday in honour of Bastille Day. Summer vibes rule the nights' short film selections - and the food and beer vendors, if you can afford it. The screening is PWYC, so chip in a couple of dollars (or French francs). Sunday, July 13, 7:30pm, Christie Pits Park (779 Crawford Ave 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
• 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).

Do you want everyone to know about your kinda random free or pay-what-you-can event? Submit it to our event section. (You can also submit your for-money events here, greedy-pants.)

Photo via Cultural Festival on Facebook