Free & Cheap NYC week of April 22, 2012

Free & Cheap NYC week of April 22, 2012

Performance artist Alison Knowles and team will create a huge salad accompanied by live music.

DRESSING ON THE SIDE. Witness the tossing of a giant salad by performance artist Alison Knowles. In Make a Salad, Knowles and her team chop lettuce and other vegetables to the beat of live music by Joshua Selman, then let the audience dig in. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Chelsea Market Passage on the High Line at W. 16th St. (212) 206-9922.

BEHIND THE SCENES. Get a glimpse into the studios of Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana during the opening reception of Before They Were Famous: Behind the Lens of William John Kennedy. Kennedys photos, which have been hiding in storage for over four decades, are making their New York debut. 6-8 p.m. Free. Site 109, 109 Norfolk St. (212) 260-8110.

MYSTERIOUS SHIP. Explore the history and archeology of the ship that was uncovered at the former World Trade Center site in 2010. Professional Archaeologists of New York City (PANYC) discusses its discovery, documentation process and the artifacts found inside and around the ship. 1 p.m. $ 6-$ 10 suggested donation. Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., at E. 104th St.. (212) 534-1672.

MINIMALIST ART. The Sculpture Center is hosting a retrospective of Bill Bollingers works focusing on the period from 1966 to 1970. Check out the nearly 40 pieces of art, including sculptures, works on paper, and Bollingers only known film. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $ 3-$ 5 suggested donation. 44-19 Purves St., Queens. (718) 361-1750.

GREEN TEAM. Cel ebrate Earth Day at Green Festival, a two-day event featuring more than 125 speakers and 300 eco-friendly exhibitors. The lineup includes appearances by Russell Simmons, who will talk about his coverage of the Occupy Movement, and Hideyo Yamada on macrobiotic sushi. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $ 15-$ 25. Javits Center, 655 W. 34th St. (212) 253-0474.

PARK YOURSELF. Enjoy Maria Sangiolos Growing Green Concert with her new tunes about agriculture and sustainability. After the performance, as part of the first every Harlem Earth Day celebration, visitors can plant their own mini-gardens with seeds provided by the Central Park Conservancy. Noon-2 p.m. Free. Great Hill at W. 107th St. (212) 348-4867.

CUE COOKOFF. Chow down at the only New York City barbecue cookoff endorsed by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Sample food fresh from the grill and see which barbecue expert will take home the top prize. 2-6 p.m. $ 5-$ 10. Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave. , Staten Island. (718) 351-1611.

PUNK POWER. Rock out with Permanent Waves All-Ages Teen Matinee. Permanent Wave, a network of feminists, artists and activists, presents bands Claires Diary, Big Nils and teen girl trio Supercute! 3 p.m. $ 8. Public Assembly, 70 N. Sixth St., Brooklyn. (718) 384-4586.