If you can stay awake, there's plenty to do for $5 or less

But if you're raring to go despite one less hour of sleep, find ye some Shakespeare at Wine Bar (38 Wharf St., Portland). The Bard's creations will be performed the naked way by Acorn Productions, with help from you and your cohorts. There's a suggested donation of $5, so bring a friend who won't mind spotting you a couple of beers so you can stay on budget.

Tuesday's a great night to see a movie, especially if you head over to the Nickelodeon (1 Temple St., Portland). The Nick offers $5 movies all day and night on Tuesdays and there's several intriguing options currently playing. "Slumdog Millionaire" was the talk of the Oscars and it's playing at 7 pm. Be sure to stay seated for the ending credits and the Bollywood dancing. "The Wrestler" made Mickey Rourke a household name again and start time's 7:20 pm. "The Watchmen" was just released and was the weekend's big money maker. Sean Penn's Academy Award-winning performance made "Milk" a must-see and it takes the screen at 9:15 pm.

Not into a movie? Fine, be that way. How about some music instead? One Longfellow Square (corner of State and Congress in Portland) offers up its Jazz Series tonight with the Super Sized Chameleons taking the stage at 8 pm. It's 5 bucks to get in.

Hump Day's a tough one for a lot of people. Do you stay in and rest up for the finale of the week? Or go out and rip it up - to heck with Thursday? If you've got to get out, it might be best for you to just sit back and be entertained. Head over to Slainte (24 Preble St., Portland) for Acoustic Open Mic Night hosted by Don Dumont. It's free to listen, but keep your heckling to yourself.

There's another option at one of our fave hangouts, North Star Music Cafe (225 Congress St., Portland), where open mic runs from 7-8 pm. At 8:15, featured storyteller Kevin Brooks takes the stage to weave his tales while you relax at one of the Cafe's cozy tables. They'll be asking for donations, so make sure you have a handful of Washingtons with you.

And if that doesn't do it for you, how about getting out of town for the evening? Ogunquit Performing Arts continues its Classic Film Series with "Frank Patterson, Ireland's Golden Voice" and "The Music Box" starting at 7 pm at the Dunaway Center on School Street (646-6179). Yeah, it may cost a bit to drive down the Turnpike, but the movies are free.

Wowza, it's Thursday already, and you know what that means - it's free pool night! Head over to The Frosty Pint (965 Forest Ave., Portland) and take advantage of the freebie games and the happy hours from 4-7 pm. You can get PBR and Bud drafts for just $1.50 (that's 3 beers and however long you can keep control of the table for less than 5 bucks!).

Not the billard type? Relax, there's an option for you, too. There's music every Thursday at Dog Fish Bar & Grille (128 Free St., Portland) so hang out in the bar and have a listen starting at 8 pm. Draft specials are just $2.50.

If you're still not happy, well ... "Survivor's" on. And I'll be back Thursday to help you make your weekend plans.