Free Events in Phoenix This Week: Memorial Day Drag, Simpsons Trivia

No plans and no money? Don't worry. We have got the hookup for the coolest events that are no cost to you. So pick your poison: hanging out with drag queens all day, checking out art galleries at Sky Harbor, or testing your rock star abilities with a live band karaoke night. For more things to do, see our curated calendar of events.

“Drawn to Pattern”
Perhaps you’ve fallen into a predictable pattern when it comes to making trips to the airport. Unless you’re catching a plane or are on pickup duty, you probably don’t go there. But you’re missing a lot, because Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has some impressive art offerings.

Leave your luggage behind and visit Sky Harbor, 3800 East Sky Harbor Boulevard, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, May 29. Stop in at Terminal 4’s third floor to explore the “Drawn to Pattern” exhibition inside the airport gallery and eight additional display cases. It’s on view through October 29, and features work by artists including Carrie Marill, Lara Plecas, and Kaori Takamura. Throughout the terminal, you’ll find four more exhibitions featuring work by Arizona artists. There’s no charge for admission. Visit the Sky Harbor website. Lynn Trimble

Memorial Day Divas Show
Remembering our veterans. The start of summer. A three-day weekend. Drag queen comedy shows. For regular visitors to Kobalt Bar, 3110 North Central Avenue Suite 125, Memorial Day means all these things — thanks to the hangout’s annual Memorial Day Divas Show.

Starting at 1 p.m. and running till 2 a.m. on Monday, May 29, TC Taylor will host the 2017 Memorial Day Divas Show, featuring Payda Parc, Savannah Stevens, and Charmaine K.C. Honeywell. Expect lots of cracking wise, deafening lip-sync performances, and American flag décor up the yang.

Entry is free, and we probably don’t have to tell you to bring singles for tips. For more information, call 602-264-5307 or see the Facebook event page. Lauren Cusimano

Vinyl Voices
Remember the days when you’d make mixtapes to share with that special someone? Vinyl Voices brings that practice to the stage, pairing storytelling with songs of the teller’s choosing.

Hosted by comedians Leslie Barton and Jose Gonzalez, the recurring event’s Tuesday, May 30, edition features Anwar Newton, host of Literally The Worst Show Ever. Find a spot on The Coronado’s patio, 2201 North Seventh Street, at 8 p.m. for a free night of music and true stories. Visit the Facebook event page, for more information. Lindsay Roberts

Art Intersection
Ever wonder about the state of the arts in Arizona? See for yourself, when Gilbert gallery Art Intersection, 207 North Gilbert Road, #201, presents works by 100 or so Arizona artists. You can see the free “All Art Arizona” exhibition between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31. It includes paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, ceramics, and works in several additional media created by emerging and established artists.

Participating artists include Brian Boner, Daniel Friedman, Rembrandt Quiballo, Ann Tracy, and Brianna Voron, to name a few. Gallerygoers can cast their vote for the Viewer’s Choice Award, then stay tuned for news of the winning artist once the show ends its run on Saturday, July 15. Visit the Art Intersection website. Lynn Trimble


Live Band Karaoke
Do you love doing karaoke so much that you don’t care whether the crowd is laughing with you or at you? Either way, if you’re having fun, you might as well go full rock star and try it out with a live band behind you.

The Instant Classics are a local rock outfit who host Live Band Karaoke, a regular event that allows them to show off how deep their catalog of cover tunes goes. With hundreds of songs to pick from, surely there’s a song in there that you’re ready to take the lead on. Grab the mic at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, at Copper Blues, 50 West Jefferson Street, on the second floor of CityScape. Admission is free. Call 480-719-5005 or visit the Copper Blues Live website. Amy Young

“Heart of the Dragon”
When gallerist Laura Dragon announced that she has cancer, artists rallied around her. Several dozen donated work for an exhibition and art auction, which takes place from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 2, to benefit Dragon. It’s happening at {9} The Gallery, 1229 Grand Avenue. Dragon founded the art space, where she’s shown work by hundreds of artists for the past five years. She’s also co-founder of a studio and gallery space called Grand ArtHaus.

Participating artists for the “Heart of the Dragon” show include Joe Holdren, Lauren Lee, Jon Wassom, Niki Woehler, and Yuko Yabuki. Some are donating new work created just for the silent auction. In Yabuki’s case, she’s drawing a dragon to support the cause. But take note, bidding closes at 9 p.m. Every dollar raised will go toward helping Dragon with medical expenses. The free event also includes live music, small bites, and beverages. Visit  the {9} The Gallery website. Lynn Trimble

Coronado’s Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi Con Classic Simpsons Trivia
You know all that useless information that’s piled up in your head? Like the fact that Matt Groening got many Simpsons characters’ last names from street names in Portland, Oregon, or how Michael Jackson co-wrote “Do The Bartman”? Turns out, these factoids are no longer useless. And you can use them to your advantage during The Coronado’s Bi-Mon-Sci-Fi Con Classic Simpsons Trivia.

This pub-style trivia event kicks off Saturday, June 3, from 8 to 10 p.m at 2201 North Seventh Street. The event is free. For more information visit the Facebook event page. Lindsay Roberts