Does the mere thought of dollar store kitsch fill your heart to bursting? Do you like books? Is every day another chance to celebrate the joys of indie culture? If you answered "yes!" to these questions, good news: the Brookline Booksmith's got your number.

Tonight, a caravan of authors from Chicago-based publisher Featherproof bring its quirky Dollar Store Tour to the Coolidge Corner shop. With an irresistible knack for comedy, drama and idiosyncrasy, each writer will share a story inspired by — you guessed it — a dirt-cheap trinket.

Jon Messinger, who co-founded Featherproof in 2005, concocted the project around the same time. Since then, The Dollar Store has been selling out a local bar called Hideout and thriving on word of mouth. It's even been featured on NPR. This summer marks its foray into the great American unknown, and we're thankful.

Some local authors, like Carla Barger, will participate, too — the folks at Featherproof mailed $1 items to literary kin across the country. In other words: Midwest meets east in a homage to creative writing and divinely cheap curios. Sign me up.

Tonight's event is free — appropriately — and starts at 7 p.m.

Premium cable. Name-brand cereal. The twice-weekly hot yoga classes at your neighborhood studio. All casualties of the current economic downturn. Thankfully, the Department of Recreation and Conservation is again offering its free yoga classes at the Hatch Shell Monday nights through September 14, weather permitting.

The hour-long classes start at 6 p.m. Bring a mat, photo ID, water, and friends. You deserve a little R&R.

Banditos Misteriosos (the same folks who brought you World Pillow Fight Day) will hold their 2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt this weekend.

The fun starts at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.

Here's a scene from last year's hunt:

Mother Nature: Please don't steal my sunshine. There are several swell outdoor events happening this weekend — including the Boston Handmade Marketplace in Somerville and the free Temptations concert at the Hatch Shell. Don't miss it, sugar pie honey bunch. And be sure to ask me all your dining, drinking, dating, and dancing questions.

My chat kicks off at 11 a.m. today. But feel free to submit your questions before then. Click the "watch now" arrow below, type in your name and a question, and hit send.

No, really. My friend-about-town Amy just forwarded me an email from Boloco. The local burrito chain is offering discounted "Summer Burritos" (Black beans, mango salsa, melted cheese, cilantro, rice) to patrons who bring a piece of garbage into any location today. Skeptical, I called the Mass Ave. store near Berklee, and the nice woman who picked up assured me it's true.

Throw the piece of trash out within eyeshot of staffers and you'll get the seasonal burrito for $3 (regular price: $5.25) or the large size for $4 (regular price: $6.25).

Though a warm-and-fuzzy feeling should be all the reward you need for cleaning up the environment, it's nice to get an edible pat on the back, too.

[Yours for the picking, kids.]

You know what they say: One man's trash is another man's cheap burrito.

The Duxbury Art Association is still accepting entries for its inaugural skateboard art show.

The show is scheduled to open July 15. Click here for details...

Ever wish you could erase Monday from the calendar? Does the beginning of every week find you daydreaming about applying the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique to your boss, landlord, or significant other? Luckily, the Squealing Pig has a saner, more civilized remedy for the Monday blues.

The Brigham Circle haunt's Spin-Kick Mondays feature a 30-minute heavy metal soundtrack followed a free screening of kung fu movies. Fringe benefits include the Pig's menu (Goat cheese and braised leek pizza! Mars Bar toasties!) and its selection of delicious beers. You'll forget the day of the week in no time.

Festivities run from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

[Pat Greenhouse / Globe Staff]

Bela Fleck did something pretty special for the banjo. The Grammy-winning musician liberated the little, four-stringed hollow body from its old-time stereotype and let it play everything from jazz-fusion to psychedelic jam-band rock.

Even before Fleck was a high school kid plucking devoutly for hours to hone his skills, he felt a special connection to the banjo, an instrument conjured by American slaves from the blueprints of native African instruments.

That's why Fleck decided to visit Africa and explore the banjo's cultural roots. The documentary "Throw Down Your Heart," directed by Sascha Paladino, follows his travels and education.

The film has already won gold ribbons at four film festivals, including audience awards at South by Southwest and the Vancouver Film Festival.

On July 9 and 10, Coolidge Corner Theatre is screening the film. Fleck himself will be in the audience for Thursday night's show. Better buy your tickets early!

To borrow some wisdom from Steve Perry, a good friend and mentor, "Everybody wants a thrill." Enter Rob Vassegh.

A bank analyst by trade, Vassegh's extracurricular activities just might interest you, readers. He's got a gusto for good deals and a blog to share his thrifty finds.

On Cheap Thrills, Vassegh highlights local concerts, social gatherings, talks, film screenings, book readings, etc., with one economical caveat: Every featured event costs less than $10.

Can't beat that.

In case you haven't heard... the Wollaston Theater has been sold. A campaign to restore The Wolly is now underway.

And speaking of old movie houses....

The New England Institute of Art is hosting a photo exhibit called "Celluloid Dreams: America's Vanishing Movie Palaces & Drive-In Theaters." It features the work of photographer Stefanie Klavens, who snapped snapped pictures of big screens all over the country. The exhibit runs through July 20.

The latest installment of Rock N’ Roll Parents – a photo exhibit by Kelly Davdison – will be on display at Zuzu this month. The series includes portraits of Aaron Perrino of The Sheila Divine and Dear Leader, Shivika Asthana of Papas Fritas, Mary Lou Lord, and other well-known musicians with their kids. The opening party is Monday, July 6:

What is with le deluge out there? Hello, Mother Nature: It's July. Some sun, please, and hurry. The good news is that the weekend promises to be a bit brighter. Just in time for July 4th festivities! Who needs plans? Will you be at the Hatch Shell to see Neil "Forever in Blue Jeans" Diamond? Ask me all your dating, dining, drinking, and dancing questions now.

My chat kicks off at 11 a.m. today. But feel free to submit your questions before then. Click the "watch now" arrow below, type in your name and a question, and hit send.

As part of our Hot Shots series, Erik Jacobs took photos at the Beantown Breakdown over the weekend. B-Boys and B-Girls popped, windmilled, froze, and did headstands in dance battles for prizes. The photos are awesome*. Here are a few to whet your appetite:

More? See all the photos from the event.

* I wouldn't try these moves at home unless I had a mat, three spotters, and some heating pads.

The New England Wild West Fest kicks off in Marsh Vegas on June 26.

This 3-day rodeo event will have bull riding, bronc riding, live country music, hay rides, chili contests, a mounted shooting demonstration (courtesy of the Massachusetts Six Shooters)... and on Sunday, legendary cowboy Rex Trailer (of Boomtown fame) will be making a special guest appearance:

Good day, sunshine. I just felt a little bit of warmth on my face as I walked from my car to the Globe — it was heaven. So, with renewed spirit and joie de vivre, let's talk about plans. There's so much going on this weekend: Kristen Schaal and Eugene Mirman are at the Wilbur Theatre; the New York Dolls are at the Paradise; and there's a chili cook-off at Great Scott. Ask me all your dating, dancing, drinking, and dining questions. I'm here for you.

My chat kicks off at 11 a.m. today. But feel free to submit your questions before then. Click the "watch now" arrow below, type in your name and a question, and hit send.

Someone recently turned me on to a hilarious website: ihatecilantro.com. Now, personally, I love cilantro, from its ruffled leaves to its spindly stems. But apparently there is a vocal chunk of the population that hates the flavor. Behold a haiku on the site:

Even but one flake
In my otherwise tasty
Taco makes me hurl

Members of the cilantro-bashing group might want to avoid the Cilantro Gimlet at Ecco in East Boston. Luckily, there are nine other summery drinks featured in our Season's Sippings gallery — something for everyone, if you will.

Cheers!

Rain? What rain? Ignore the gloom, folks — let's have some fun this weekend. You could see DJ Skribble down in Hyannis or sip Belgian-style ales to your heart's delight at the Craft Brew Fest. And, don't forget: Sunday is Father's Day. How about treating Pops to a milkshake making talk and demonstration? Hit me with all your dining, dancing, dating, and drinking questions.

My chat kicks off at 11 a.m. today. But feel free to submit your questions before then. Click the "watch now" arrow below, type in your name and a question, and hit send.

Snappin' our fingers. Whoa-oh-oh.

Sorry, couldn't resist — consider that your Eddie Money moment for today.

If Dad's a frappe fiend, take him to Tags Hardware in Porter Square Sunday to hear Boston Globe Magazine columnist Adam Ried talk about his new book of recipes, "Thoroughly Modern Milkshakes," and demonstrate how to make some of them. The free tasting and chat starts at 2 p.m. and is sponsored by Porter Square Books.

Anyone for a Maple-Bacon shake?

More? See all Father's Day events in our calendar.

This has been an awesome week for concerts: TV on the Radio, Jenny Lewis, the Decemberists, and PJ Harvey were all in town. Did you see any of these shows, dear readers? There's more music this weekend. And let's all keep our fingers crossed for sun — the Cambridge River Fest is tomorrow along the Charles. Need suggestions? I've got ideas for dancing, dating, drinking, and dining.

My chat kicks off at 11 a.m. today. But feel free to submit your questions before then. Click the "watch now" arrow below, type in your name and a question, and hit send.

Or, is that just me?

Start your weekend off on a sweet note: Friendly's is giving away free ice cream tomorrow from noon to 5 p.m. Get a single-scoop cone or dish — our favorite flavor was, is, and will always be Forbidden Chocolate. Glorious.

Find a Friendly's near you.