Four free shows of classical, chamber, choral and orchestral music, jazz and world are featured annually at the Washington Square Music Festival.  The festival is free and runs Tuesday through July.

The first performance is July 10 at St. Joseph's Church on Sixth Avenue and Washington Place in Greenwich Village and features the Festival Chamber Orchestra and West Village Chorale performing a concert of Music & Poetry. The concert is free but seating is first-come, first-served.

When: Four consecutive Tuesdays in July starting July 10, 2012
Where: St. Joseph's Church and/or Washington Square Park Stage
Website: http://www.washingtonsquaremusicfestival.org

New York Musical Theater Festival

Perhaps the next TONY winner will be found amongst this crop of 30 new musicals, debuting over 20 days starting July 9. Tickets ($25 per person) are still available to most musical performances. The festival also offers several free seminars as well as readings, workshops and concert performances. If you can't afford Broadway but want to see some great musical theater, this is a good place to go. When: July 9-29, 2012 Where: Various venues in the Theatre District, Manhattan Website: http://www.nymf.org

CBGB Music & Film Festival

 The famed name CBGB remains alive through this inaugural (hopefully annual) festival of music and rock-related documentary films shown July 5-8.  Passes to the musical showcase performances are still available at the latecomer price of $89 - a bargain if you can make 3-4. A free live performance will be staged in Times Square July 7.

The film festival runs 2 days only (and one of them is today, so get your butt out there). Film screenings come together with the conference, which offers interesting technical and industry talks.

Alas, if this is the first you've heard of it, you've missed out on the artisanal spirits tasting & exhibition. Better luck next year.

When: July 5-8, 2012
Where: 40 Venues throughout NYC
Website: http://www.cbgb.com