Wall Street may be saying that the economy is turning around, but something tells me that Main Street may disagree with that assessment to some degree.
I make the previous statement not as an opening to some kind of political rant. Rather, I'd like to use that as a point where most of us can agree that we can't afford to go out for entertainment the way we could have a few years ago. Lets face it, going to the movies cost an arm, a nice dinner out costs a leg, attending most concerts cost your first born child, and if you have a family to consider taking out, you might as well prepare the papers for a second mortgage on your house.
What is there to do if you want a little much needed entertainment?
There are a few free options that sometimes people over look, and I'd like to share what some of them are. Lets go straight to option number one, which happens to be a favorite of mine. Why? Because I actually get a good amount of my work from them in recent years...libraries!
Libraries are great venues for family or even adult entertainment. And, 99% of the time they are absolutely free to attend! For kids and families there are things like puppet shows, concerts for kids, magic shows, and so on. For adults, there are performances by musicians in genres like jazz, classical, world beat, folk, bluegrass, blues, and more. If music isn't your thing (and if not, shame on you!), and you are more into stretching your intellect, there are educational lectures about topics ranging from the rise of Rome, to trying to get those alien life forms known as "teenagers" to listen. Then there are all of the instructional classes that are often offered for those who may need a little help with learning how to use their computer...you get the picture I think!
Here's another great venue for entertainment...your local public park. Many towns and counties have departments of recreation and/or councils for the arts. With either organization, it is common for them to put together events that will take place in parks, that are adequately equipped, whether it be a beach, an arboretum, or what have you. These events can run the gamut of programs such as concerts, operas, arts and crafts festivals, or even a small traveling circus. And, once again, these events are often free to attend...paid for by government grants or obscure things like your local travel and tourism tax.
I'll throw one more place at you to check out. This is a little unconventional, but sometimes we need to think outside of the box. How about checking out the concerts or play productions of your local elementary school, middle school, or high school?
Before you laugh me off of my own blog, think about it! When it comes to the younger kids, it's often fun and even adorable to watch them perform. They may not sound like the Boston Symphony, or have a play worthy of Broadway, but you would be surprised at how entertaining they can be! On the other end of the age spectrum, when you consider that there are a number of high schools across our country with noted music and arts programs, the quality of the shows can be quite impressive. My two old high schools on Long Island, Walt Whitman and John H Glenn, are excellent examples!
What are your thoughts on the examples I have supplied, and do you have any of your own to share?
by Shenole Latimer
