That's Entertainment!
One of the many rules I live by is, "Take a Bite out of the Big Apple!" There are so many entertainment and cultural opportunities in this wonderful city, that it is a crime not to enjoy them. It's why we put up w/ the less pleasant aspects of city life. An open wallet is one way to be a culture vulture, but let me share a few strategies for soaking up movies, theater, museums & more without landing in the poor house...
Goldstar is a weekly roundup of what's available at serious discount - sometimes even free - in many varied forms of entertainment: theater, comedy, boat rides, museums, etc. I get a weekly list emailed to me, but you can also visit:
Goldstar is a weekly roundup of what's available at serious discount - sometimes even free - in many varied forms of entertainment: theater, comedy, boat rides, museums, etc. I get a weekly list emailed to me, but you can also visit:
Goldstar to see what's happening tonight!
Working Advantage and - if you are lucky enough to belong to a union - Union Plus, offer similar types of events. Last December, I got tickets to see the NYC Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker for $89 from Working Advantage. The seats were great and the tix came w/ a coupon for a small meal - sandwich, drink & cookie - for $5. I splurged for Christmas and had a delightful evening w/ my daughter. Working Advantage and Union Plus also sell discounted movie tickets to theater chains across the country.
Speaking of unions, being a member of one is one way to be eligible for the Theater Development Fund, a truly brilliant venture I've used since I moved to New York in the 1980's! TDF runs the half price ticket booths on 47th Street and the South Street Seaport in Manhattan, and the one in Brooklyn. But if, like me, you don't want to wait on line, visit the website and your tix will be waiting for you at the box office! The website lists all shows and a calendar of available dates & times. It couldn't be easier.
In addition to union members, lots of us are eligible to join for just $30 a year: teachers, students, retirees, members of the armed forces, members of the clergy, staff members of non-profits, Performing Arts professionals, anyone under 26 years of age, etc. I have seen so many great performances through TDF, and the beauty is even if you hate it, you didn't spend a king's ransom to buy the ticket! This is one of the truly great bargains in entertainment.
Then there's morenewsnow. If you love Broadway, you must get on this list. House seats at half price for Broadway's best! They send you an email when tix are available to great shows, but you have to move quickly 'cuz everybody wants a bargain on a big show.
Send an email to morenewsnow@yahoo.com with all questions answered below. Write "Join" on the subject line.
-full name
-email address
-cell and/or home telephone number:
-company website or name.
No company. Tell us if you are:
-a student, a homemaker, retired or self-employed. (Self-employed include type of business)
-full name and email address of the person who referred: tell 'em Lori sent you!
Send an email to morenewsnow@yahoo.com with all questions answered below. Write "Join" on the subject line.
-full name
-email address
-cell and/or home telephone number:
-company website or name.
No company. Tell us if you are:
-a student, a homemaker, retired or self-employed. (Self-employed include type of business)
-full name and email address of the person who referred: tell 'em Lori sent you!
This next bargain comes with full disclosure: my teenage daughter attends the premier public high school for performing arts in NYC. But before she did - come to think of it, maybe this is why she did (!) - I dragged her to any and every school/kids performance I could find! Today,seeing a musical @ LaGuardia is like seeing a Broadway show for $20 and there are worthy kid performances all over the city. Check the websites for your city's prestigious high schools and you will be pleasantly surprised and entertained! Here in New York, I'd suggest LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts
Hunter College High School
Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School
Extremely near to LaG, or course, is Julliard. Ridiculously talented students give free recitals. Many other perfomances are free, but you may need to pick up a free ticket at the box office.
Large museums often have free days or times. For example, the Museum of Modern Art MOMA is free on Friday Nights from 4pm to 8pm, courtesy of Target. At many other museums you are asked to make a suggested contribution. You may give a smaller amount and still gain admission.
If you'd like to see the magic of television live, there are dozens of opportunities here in the media capital of the world! I have worked for ABC and NBC and let me tell you that a ticket to see Saturday Night Live is close to impossible to come by. However, they do dress rehearsals (close to the real thing) every week and it is sometimes possible to line up for a very long while and get a seat! Several shows have standby lines and the NBC Experience Store @ Rockefeller Center has standby tickets for Jimmy Fallon.
Tickets for new TV shows are a little easier because they haven't yet built up an enormous following. I suspect Katie Couric will, so get your tickets soon! Katie may be the new Oprah...the show is great!
I'd love to hear from you. As Ed Koch used to say, "How my doin?" If you like what you've read, please pass along almostfreeny.blogspot.com to your friends.
Speaking of TV, next week we'll do Hair and Make-up! How to look stunning and still eat...
Oh, and I hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day!
Keep calm & carry on...Lori
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