So Cal on a Budget

Let's Get Started

I am fortunate to live in Southern California.  It's beautiful here, world-reknown for many things, some good, some not so much.  In the "not" category is the cost of living.  The price we pay for good weather and such, I suppose.

So when I -- like so many others -- lost my job a few months back, I wondered:  what can you do around here for fun that's free, or pretty darned close.  And to my delight, I've found there's lots to choose from besides the beach (parking fees notwithstanding).

And so, I'm here, writing my first ever blog.  All so I can share some of the many possibilities.  May you be surprised, delighted, and entertained.

Music, anyone?

You're probably very familiar with the many music venues throughout Southern California:  The Hollywood Bowl, the Greek Theatre, the Home Depot Center, etc.  We definitely get a lot of great artists in concert in this area.  But did you know there's FREE music you can enjoy too?

First tip:  LACMA.  That's right, the LA County Museum of Art -- which BTW is the largest art museum in the Western United States -- has several free music programs.  The first is Friday Night Jazz.  Every Friday, from 6-8 pm April to November, you can enjoy free jazz concerts at LACMA.  No tickets or reservations are required.  Their other free music program is "Sundays Live", a series of free weekly chamber music and recitals featuring premier professional artists.  Again, no tickets or reservations are required.  In addition, after 5 pm, LACMA has a "pay what you wish" program, so you can enjoy the art before the music program for free (or next to nothing, depending on what you choose to contribute) too.

Second tip:  Hollywood and Highland Center.  Tuesday evenings in June, July and August from 7-9 pm, you can enjoy free concerts by some of the country's top jazz performers.  No tickets or reservations are required, just head for the Central Courtyard.  And, if you make a $10 donation to the Angel Food Project, you get two glasses of wine and a box of cheese and crackers to enjoy during the performance.  

Third tip:  There are lots of one-off free music events around too.  Do a little internet browsing to find them.  I've been amazed to learn you can see top talent like Kelly Clarkson, Shakira, and Rod Stewart  for free just by knowing about it, then heading to the right place at the right time.   Sometimes you need an admission ticket, so there's an rsvp required ahead of time, but it's no charge.  And of course lots of cities have festivals with free music.  It can be a little random who you get to see and if they're any good, but hey, free is free.

Happy listening.