Shel Horowitz's Monthly Frugal Fun Tip, Vol. 3, # 12--April, 2000

From Frugal Fun Monthly Tips (Sign up below!)
By Shel Horowitz

Are you within driving distance of a college? For most of you, the answer is yes--and many of you will be able to drive to several colleges.

TIP: colleges and universities offer incredible resources for free and cheap entertainment. And between now and the end of the semester, there are more opportunities than at any other time of year.

Many colleges put together a community calendar--pick up a copy, or get on the mailing list. Also, keep your eyes out for newspaper listings, posters, etc.

Just think of some of the possibilities:
* Annual spring concert, usually by some very big name. Often these are outdoors--and free.
* Faculty recitals: an opportunity to hear some very bright lights, especially in classical music, but sometimes in other genres as well. You may not have heard of them before, but they may well have taught some superstars.
* Student drama performances. Most schools will offer at least one major play at the end of the semester, often directed by a faculty member with years of experience. Also, senior drama students may create original works or stage smaller-scale productions. and many college theaters offer at least one performance at a steep discount--even as little as a dollar per ticket.
* Lectures, multimedia presentations, and readings by visiting artists and writers.
* Senior recitals in the music department--typically a much wider range of genre than the faculty recitals.
* Dances with live bands.
* Art openings, including senior art student shows.