Watching your entertainment budget like a hawk in this recession? You don't have to deprive yourself or your family. We are blessed with many free or low-priced cultural events.

Some museums, college and university galleries and other institutions that host art and cultural exhibits are free.

Check out The Holocaust Museum in Miami Beach; FIU's Frost Art Museum (which has Target Wednesday After Hours from 6-9 p.m. with lectures about exhibits); the art galleries at Miami Dade College campuses, the Tower Theater and Freedom Tower, which the college operates; Barry University; Nova Southeastern University; New World School of the Arts, and all of South Florida's libraries are free.

The public libraries, particularly the main libraries in Miami and Fort Lauderdale and the African-American Research Library & Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, feature outstanding, revolving art exhibits, and they won't cost you a penny. South Florida libraries also host events as diverse as Irish teas, Harry Potter parties and mini-dance performances by professional troupes.

Here's a sampler of other free or low-cost cultural events, most of which offer art exhibits, music, children's activities -- and sometimes all of the above.

-- SUE MULLIN

MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD

Chopin for All Free Concert Series: This marvelous organization brings top-notch talent to South Florida each year and does not charge admission. It presents the concerts in Broward County at the Main Library and in Miami-Dade at Granada Presbyterian Church in Coral Gables. See our Classical Music listings for other details on these concerts, go to www.chopin.org or call Viga Gewert, executive director of Chopin Foundation of the U.S., at 305-868-0624 or e-mail info@chopin.org

COCONUT GROVE

First Saturday Stroll in the Grove and Artsy-Craftsy Grove: Live music, children's arts and crafts and samplings of food and wine; 7-11 p.m. first Saturday of the month; extends from Mayfair, down Grand Avenue onto Main Highway and Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove. 305-979-9534 or 305-726-1466 or www.grovehouseartists.net.

CORAL GABLES

Books & Books: Holds free author talks almost every evening and during the daytime on weekends at its locations in Bal Harbour and Miami Beach but primarily at its Coral Gables shop. The shop also has a café and a courtyard with bar and live music Friday nights and hosts book clubs and children's story times; 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables; 305-442-4408 or booksandbooks.com.

Coral Gables Gallery Night: Stroll or take free city transit to see exhibits on display at more than 20 galleries. Three free buses and a Coral Gables trolley make stops along Ponce de Leon Boulevard between Southwest Eighth Street and Douglas Road Metro Station in Coral Gables; 7-10 p.m. first Fridays of each month; 305-444-4493.

LoweDown First Thursday Happy Hour: Usually features a lecture about or guided tour of an exhibit and includes free alcoholic beverages. Held first Thursday of each month during times when the University of Miami is fully operational; Lowe Art Museum, 1301 Stanford Dr., Coral Gables. 305-284-3535 or lowemuseum.org: $10, free for Lowe members.

DOWNTOWN MIAMI

Historical Museum of Southern Florida: Has extended hours till 9 p.m. on third Thursday of each month. Also holds free Family Fun Days on the second Saturday of each month; 101 W. Flagler St., Miami. 305-375-1492 or www.hmsf.org:

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