Free & Cheap in New York: Friday, Dec. 21

Free & Cheap in New York: Friday, Dec. 21

From l., Jim Caruso, Billy Stritch and Klea Blackhurst in ‘A Swinging Birdland Christmas’

YULE WANNA SWING ALONG. Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch will kick off “A Swinging Birdland Christmas” and play through Dec. 25. They’ll perform jazzy arrangements of holiday favorites, like “Sleigh Ride” and “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” joined by guest violinist Aaron Weinstein. 6 p.m. $ 30. Birdland, 315 W. 44th St. (212) 581-3080. Info: Birdlandjazz.com.

NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. Come and discover aspiring actors, playwrights and directors at CUNY’s Playwright Reading. Undergrads from the Hunter Theatre Company will perform their newest works. 8-10 p.m. Free. Hunter College, 68th St. and Lexington Ave. (212) 772-5148.

WHERE TO MEET MEN. The Brooklyn-based band MEN will celebrate their 300th show, featuring JD Samson of the electropunk band Le Tigre, at the Brooklyn Night Bazaar. Sharing the bill will be Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Azar Swan and Railbird. 6 p.m.-midnight. Free. 45 N. Fifth St., Williamsburg. Info: bkbazaar.com.

MY KIND OF FOLK. It’s Free Music Friday at the American Folk Art Museum. Explore the galleries, have refreshments in the cafe, and enjoy a concert, hosted by Lara Ewen. On the bill: Robert German, Mercy Bell and Halle and the Jilt. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. 2 Lincoln Square. (212) 595-9533.

WHAT THE DICKENS! The New Life Apostolic Church presents “The Prodigal Scrooge: A Holiday Gospel Faith Musical” at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center. In this version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Scrooge is an arrogant rich casino owner in Manhattan who is visited by three messengers from God. It was written by April Baskin and Tivon Jeffers. 7 p.m. $ 20. 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Queens. (347) 809-7236. Info: theprodigalscrooge.com.

THE ERIN OF THE SCREEN. New York Irish Center will show John Huston’s 1987 Oscar-nominated film, “The Dead,” at Irish Movie Night. Based on the classic James Joyce short story, it’s about a Christmas dinner at turn-of-the-century Ireland. 7:30 p.m. $ 6-$ 11; free for victims of Hurricane Sandy. 10-40 Jackson Ave., Long Island City. (718) 482-0909. Info: nyirish.org.

HE’LL PHILL THE AIR WITH MUSIC. Maverick, minimalist composer Phill Niblock presents his annual “Winter Solstice,” a six-hour marathon of music, film and video, at Roulette. He’ll mark the longest night of the year as winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere. 6 p.m.-midnight. Admission: $ 15; students, seniors, $ 10. 509 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn. (917) 267-0363.

WHAT A ‘SMASH.’ Fre Two Nations presents “Robbi’s Big Yuletide Birthday Smash” at the Sullivan Room. Dawn Soulvun Williams, Eddie Nicholas and Erin Leah will perform, and the deejays will include Perez Massimo and Wayne Williams. 9:30 p.m.-4 a.m. $ 20. 218 Sullivan St. (212) 252-2151.

SHAKE YOUR BOOTY. Gather under the Jolly Rogers and you’ll treasure your time at the Pirate Party at the Red Star sports bar. 8:30 p.m. Free. 37 Greenpoint Ave., at West St., Brooklyn. (718) 349-0162.