If you are penny-pinchin' because the economy is down, or just plain frugal, but still desirous to experience some culture and compulsory indulgence: Look no further. Each week, I will inform the masses about the fun, the free, the charming, and the cheap.
This week learn how to pump your fists in the air for your cause or go for a stroll, sippin' some sweet red wine at downtown's art galleries.---

Citizen Revolt DIY Lobbyist Event     Join Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake City, and HEAL Utah’s Eric Spreng for tips about lobbying legislators during the upcoming session, which begins Jan. 25. Remember who elected your elected officials: the people; so don’t sit silently on the sidelines this year. This is also advertised as a “drinking session,” which should help fuel that activist mojo.
Piper Down, 1492 S. State, Fri., Jan. 15, 7 p.m., 801-575-7003, CityWeekly.net, Free (Plus Beer)

Visual Arts January Gallery Stroll     Several fresh exhibits to bring in the new art year will be on display for your perusing at the monthly third Friday Gallery Stroll. If you love Utah, check out UMFA's opening of The Continuing Allure: Painters of Utah's Red Rock--listed in this week CW's Essentials. At the Phillips Gallery, Joe Carter has his intricately recorded still-lifes of items generally considered mundane or worthless. It's excellent pop art. Or you could Art Access, featuring, John Hess, Rachel VanWagner and John Welch. If nothing else just meander around; you are sure to find something intriguing, entertaining or tasty. @ Various galleries, Fri., Jan. 15, Free

Literary Working Dog Reading Series       A casual, fun reading featuring graduate students from the U's English Department: Shira Dentz, Rebecca Lindenberg, Shena McAuliffe, and Rachel Hanson. @ Art Barn, 54 Finch Lane, 801-596-5000‎, Thurs., Jan 14, Free

Sports Get Out: Discounted Skiing Above the Inversion     When smog fills the air, get out and above it by taking advantage of Snowbird Ski Resort's new "Red Air Days" discount. When the Utah Department of Environmental Quality throws up red, you can get a discount of $20 off adult Tram and chair tickets (normally $72) while enjoying cleaner air and possibly blue skies at higher elevation. Contact Snowbird ticketing for more info.     Arguably, a red air day won't be an epic powder day, by nature of how inversion works, but a discount is nice either way. Don't forget to do the right thing by not adding to the mucky air and taking the UTA ski bus. Red Air Days @ Snowbird Ski Resort, Hwy 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, 801-933-2222‎

Music Indian Headset, Glade Sowards, Sam Burton
    Check out this week's CW article about Glade Sowards for the inside scoop of this local artist.     Also on the bill is Ryan Shoeck, as Indian Headset. He is one of Utah's best-kept secrets. Last March, Jamie Gadette (CW Music Editor) said the debut album was intimate and rough around the edges, with everything in its right place. If you attend this show you can anticipate quiet folk and lo-fi blues, and you'll probably be blown away by Shoeck's picking ability that accompanies his ballads. Worth the six buck cover.  @ Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court, 801-364-3538, www.myspace.com/kilbycourt, Thurs., Jan 14, 7:00 p.m., $6