Usually when we talk about frugal entertainment, the idea of sitting at home on the couch with a glass of wine will come to mind. Or if you feel like being social, there’s always the idea of potluck and games nights.
After several nights in, even with friends, one may need to get out of house and just do something outside It is still the summer after all. With the season being so short over here, one needs to make the most of it and enjoy the good weather while you can. Aside from going to the beach, cottage or camping, people often spend their time outdoors going to the festivals and concerts. While this is all good and fun, you and I both know that these festivals and concerts can get quite pricey. Not only do you have to pay for tickets, you may have to pay for parking depending on whether the festival is accessible by public transportation and overpriced beer and food.
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I used to go to A LOT of concerts back in high school thanks to the bank of mom and dad (I know, I was spoiled, but I’m more independent now. I swear). Nowadays, I don’t even consider going to concerts so much anymore. I find the tickets quite expensive If you’re into that kind of environment, that’s cool. However, I will be in full agreement with my fiancé in preferring to go a concert at a smaller venue, where it’s more intimate. I feel you would be able to enjoy the music more, but then again it may depend on what type of music. You can actually see the musician/performer up close, rather than on the gigantic screen.
I know that this is not a huge revenue generating idea, but I think it would be nice if artists played a few smaller gigs here and there, such as the places they may have been playing at before they got discovered.
A more frugal form of entertainment would be to check out the local street entertainment in the larger cities, because it doesn’t seem to exist in suburbia. You get to listen to mini concerts performed by street musicians for a fraction of the price (basically loose change). I’ve often heard musicians in the subway which is a nice touch to the hustle and bustle throughout the day. I’m definitely more inclined to give street performers (also known as buskers), my spare change rather than a homeless person because they’re actually working for their money and not just begging for it.
Busking has become so popular that cities even have festivals solely dedicated to busking to draw even bigger crowds. It’s great because you get to many different types of acts: from juggling to miming to breakdancing. It’s usually free to attend and again, all you need is a few dollars. I find it’s worth it and more enjoyable because the acts often involve the participation of the crowd. People get to feel like they are part of the act.
There is no such thing as a nosebleed seat, but maybe perhaps a nosebleed spot, if you are vertically challenged like me. A lot of the times other crowd goers will try and make room for you if it possible. You won’t feel you’ve lost your voice or become deaf. You don’t have to stay for the entire show if you don’t want to. There’s also that freedom of being able to wander from show to show.
Have you been to a busking festival lately? If you were to be a busker, what would your form of entertainment be?
There’s an outdoor marching band competition in our city every fall and it’s awesome entertainment! They do a parade and you can walk around the city to hear all the different bands playing. Definitely a favorite free activity of ours 🙂
That sounds like an amazing outdoor event and fall is such a great season. 🙂
That’s one of the major benefits of living near NYC. I can take the train there for $2.50 each way and just go to one of the parks where they always have free music. They also have free “big” concerts at Central Park and in Brooklyn and even though the food and drinks are expensive in there, they let you bring your own food and drinks (no booze though). We always bring food or buy food outside of the venue and eat it inside while listening to live music. Last time we has Thai food while listening to Amos Lee, that was pretty cool. That whole event cost us less than $10 a person including transportation and food.
I wish more big festivals let you bring your own food and drinks, but I understand that it is a money maker. Less $10/person for great entertainment is an awesome deal.
I had never heard the term “busking”, but it’s everywhere here in NYC. So much so that sometimes it’s annoying. I’d rather not risk getting kicked in the face by a breakdancer on a moving subway train. haha
Maybe it’s a Canadian term. 🙂 I’ve never seen busking inside an actual subway train though. Only in the waiting areas. I doubt it would go over well during rush hour either.:P
I love more intimate smaller concerts too. I was in a band for years and the small venues were always the most fun. I remember seeing Third Eye Blind at a big festival back when they were all over the radio, then a few months ago we saw them at a bar with a couple hundred people. The more recent show was preferable. It’s great being that close and intimate.
I actually heard “Semi-Charmed Life” this morning on the radio in the car on the way to work.:)
Theme parks is one of the best place to visit this summer. Even local park is included. My family went to local park here in Nevada where there’s a free small concert. More than that, performers engage with the audience. My kid participated in a dance moves the performer required of her. It’s really nice!