We like to spend our entertainment dollars wisely.
Sure, we're willing to splurge on big-ticket items we really care about -- perhaps the $75 ticket to the touring Broadway production of "Lion King," $195 for Pittsburgh Opera's "Aida," a close-up $200 Stevie Wonder seat, or $175 on a WWE Armageddon ticket.
We might even mortgage the house so our little darling can see Hannah Montana.
But we're not going to burn through that much cash every week. And there's no need to.
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Pittsburgh is rich in all sorts of cultural and entertainment possibilities, much of which can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.
We've compiled a number of ways to enjoy the arts scene on the cheap.
THEATER
Subscribe to free e-newsletters or their print editions offered by almost all area arts organizations. They're a good source of information about upcoming free or reduced-price opportunities, such as buy-one-get-one tickets, lectures, readings, gallery tours and post-show talkbacks.
Pittsburgh Public Theater
Sign up for The Birthday Club on the company's Web site and receive a $25 gift certificate good toward the purchase of single tickets.
The Public's Exposure series offers free admission to seated readings of new plays throughout the company's season. Next one is 7 p.m. Monday at the O'Reilly Theater, Downtown. A cast of professional actors will give the first public reading to "Harry's Friendly Services," written by Rob Zellers, one of the co-creators of "The Chief." Free, but reservations are requested. Details: 412-316-1600.
City Theatre
The company offers additional pre- or post-show attractions aimed at season subscribers but open to ticket holders for select performances throughout the season. Attractions vary from free pre-show coffee and pre-show opening-night receptions to Girls Night Out events with free massages, drink specials and other female-oriented pre-show amenities.
Tickets for the 9 p.m. Saturday show at City Theatre are $20 -- that's less than half the cost of a ticket for the 5:30 p.m. Saturday performance of the same show. Details: 412-431-2489.
Opening nights
Area theater companies such as Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, Quantum Theatre, Open Stage Theater and Mountain Playhouse each have a tradition of inviting everyone in the opening-night audience to a free post-show reception. Attendees can mingle with the cast while enjoying a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres.
COMEDY
The Shadow Lounge
The East Liberty venue has open-mike comedy night the third Monday of every month. Admission is $5. Details: 412-363-8277.
The Funny Bone
The club at Station Square, South Side, hosts All-Pro Wednesdays, which feature touring local and regional professional comedians. Admission to the 7:30 p.m. show is $8, plus a two-drink minimum. Details: 412-281-3130.
Slapsticks Comedy Lounge
The Bethel Park club hosts open-mike night every Thursday. Admission is free. Friday is devoted to its Six Utterly Insane Comics show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $12 at the door. You can print out a $2 off coupon online. Details: 412-920-5653.
The Pittsburgh Improv
Wednesday night is cheap at the Improv in Homestead. Local hypnotist John Weir performs Nov. 7 with a $6 admission. Local comedian Bill Crawford hosts a monthly evening of improvisation and sketch comedy, dubbed the Worst Wednesday Ever. The next show is Dec. 19, with $15 admission. Details: 412-462-5233.
MOVIES
Maxi-Saver 12
Did you intend to go see a movie, but it left the theaters before you got around to it? You can see the movie much cheaper when it soon shows up at Maxi-Saver, in Century Square Plaza in West Mifflin. The $1.50 admission price is cheaper than most DVD rentals, and going to the theater gives you an opportunity to enjoy big-screen-friendly movies that are big on the visual effects. You could do a double feature, including snacks, for less than $10. Details: 412-655-8700.
SouthSide Works Cinema
Bargain Mondays offers $5 admission and a free 32-ounce popcorn. Thursday is student discount night with $6 admission. Details: 412-381-7335.
Pittsburgh Filmmakers
Become a Screenies subscriber for $60 per year, and you'll receive coupons for 12 films, plus popcorn, at Regent Square, Harris Theater and Melwood Screening Room. A family membership is an even greater savings at $90 with benefits for two adults, as well as all children younger than 18. Also included are discounted classes and invitations to openings at Filmmakers and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Details: 412-681-5449.
BOOKS
If you're looking for an inexpensive way to stimulate the mind -- or even for light entertainment -- look no further than your local library. Since the days of the Library at Alexandria in ancient Egypt, libraries have been a bastion of knowledge for young and old, rich and poor.
But the modern library is more than a place for readers and researchers. In addition to current best-sellers and reference materials, books on tape, CDs and audiocassettes, DVDs of current and classic films, magazines and video games are available for anyone with a valid library card. Access Pennsylvania allows patrons to reserve materials from any participating library across the state. So, even if your community library is a small one, you can reserve those newly released best-sellers from the comfort of your home computer.
CAROUSEL RIDES
PNC Carousel
Get a free late-afternoon ride on the Victorian-style PNC Carousel in Schenley Plaza at the entrance to Schenley Park on Forbes Avenue in Oakland. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Rides usually cost $1.25, but everyone rides for free from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 3 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Sundays. The carousel will operate through the end of October and maybe into early November if the warm weather continues. Details: 412-682-7275.
WALKING TOURS
Pittsburgh History and Landmarks
From noon to 1 p.m. Friday, docents of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks will conduct free Fifth & Forbes Downtown Walking Tours; meet at the clock in Market Square. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, free self-guided tours will be available of the Old Allegheny County Jail. Docents will be on hand to provide information. Tours begin at Allegheny County Family Court/Old Allegheny County Jail, 440 Ross St., Downtown. Reservations are required; call 412-471-5808, ext. 527, or e-mail marylu@phlf.org.
If you'd prefer to explore the history and architecture of Downtown on your own schedule, you can download a free 37-page guide for a walking tour of Downtown Pittsburgh's buildings and landmarks online or call 412-471-5808.
ROCK
If you don't want to break the bank on the big-name concerts that come to town, there are alternatives. Clubs and smaller venues often offer shows for less than $20 -- and you'll be closer to the performers than at any larger venue.
Club Cafe
The South Side club features a mix of local performers and national touring acts. Jennifer O'Connor, a wonderful singer and performer on the Matador label, performs Oct. 31 for a mere $10. Details: 412-431-4950.
Mr. Small's Funhouse Theatre
At Mr. Small's in Millvale, The Fiery Furnaces, a cutting-edge brother-and-sister duo, perform Nov. 2; with a $12 admission. Details: 866-468-3401.
Diesel
The South Side club will be feature rocker Chuck Prophet on Nov. 5, and rockabilly singer Wayne "The Train" Hancock on Nov. 16 at $15 a pop. Details: 412-431-8800.
The Rex Theatre
The Rex, in South Side, features vintage rockers Blue Cheer on Nov. 10, and the Polyphonic Spree, 24 assorted musicians and singers from Dallas who specialize in "choral symphonic rock," on Nov. 15. Admission for both shows is $15. Details: 412-381-6811.
WYEP-FM
Cheaper yet is Third Thursdays, a free monthly concert sponsored by WYEP, featuring local musicians at the station's studio on the South Side. Details: 412-381-9900.
JAZZ
CJ's
The Strip District club never charges a cover for its jazz shows, and the best deal of the all is the Thursday evening jam sessions led by drummer Roger Humphries. Music begins at 8 p.m. Details: 412-642-2377.
Cabaret and Backstage Bar
Tuesday night jazz shows at the Downtown spot feature a steady lineup of area jazz stars. And they are all free. Happy hour sessions at the Cabaret start at 5 p.m. Backstage Bar shows begin at 8 p.m. Details: 412-456-6666.
Blue
The McCandless venue features a lineup of female singers such as Lisa Ferraro or Shari Richards from 8 to 10 p.m. on Diva Thursdays. Get there early, though -- it gets crowded. No cover. Details: 412-369-9060.
Bruschetta's al Lago
The venue in Peters frequently goes the diva route on Saturdays, with free jazz from 9 p.m. to midnight. Details: 724-746-5050.
Gullifty's
The Squirrel Hill club has jazz and blues with no cover Tuesdays through Thursdays, and only a $5 cover most Fridays and Saturdays. When they bring in stars such as guitarist Larry Coryell, the price can go up -- but even then it's reasonable. Details: 412-521-8222.
Willow
The Kilbuck venue is home to jazz singer Michele Bensen from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays. No cover. Details: 412-847-1007.
Tusca Mediterranean Tapas Restaurant
The SouthSide Works retaurant offers free Monday and Wednesday night jazz sessions. Details: 412-488-9000.
Martini's Restaurant and Lounge
The lounge in Jefferson Hills offers music four days a week and never has a cover. It offers a variety of styles and sounds on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons, drummer Spider Rondinelli leads jazz shows with a variety of guests. Details: 412-384-5910.
Walnut Grill
The Shadyside spot hosts free sessions of alternative music on Mondays and jazz on Tuesdays. Details: 412-688-8220.
Pittsburgh Jazz Society
Every Sunday, the Jazz Society has a free jazz gig featuring a steady lineup of area talent at the Rhythm House in Bridgeville. Music starts at 7 p.m. Details: 412-221-5010.
Manchester Craftsmen's Guild
Student rush tickets at the North Side venue are $20 for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 Sunday shows, one hour before performances. Details: 412-322-0800.
FRESH AIR
Venture Outdoors/Outside Adventures
The two outside-activity advocacy groups stay busy offering a variety of events in the fresh air. They include things like snowshoeing and walks in area parks. Some are free, and some cost $10 or less. Details: Venture Outdoors, 412-255-0564; Outside Adventures, 724-230-0237.
CLASSICAL
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
A ticket to the Pittsburgh Symphony's Mellon Grand Classics at Heinz Hall, Downtown, can cost as much as $80, but there are seats for less than $20 available for every concert. Located upstairs, the gallery seats have very well-balanced sound. Similar price scales apply to the Pops at Heinz Hall and the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra series at Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland.
In addition, the symphony offers rush tickets for age 62 and older and for students for $14 from the remaining available seats, starting two hours before the concert begins.
Extend your culture enjoyment at free pre-concert talks, often involving musicians, one hour before the concert begins. Details: 412-392-4900.
Pittsburgh Opera
Half-price rush tickets are available for age 65 and older and for students starting two hours before the performance at the Benedum Center. The next production is Gaetano Donizetti's "The Elixir of Love," Nov. 10 to 18. Artistic director Christopher Hahn gives talks about the operas and productions, free for ticket holders one hour before every performance.
Enjoy midday cultural refreshers with the opera's Brown Bag Lunch concerts, beginning Oct. 31 at 801 Penn. Ave., Downtown. The free concerts are performed by the young professionals of Pittsburgh Opera Center. The free, bring-your-own-lunch events start at 12:15 p.m. and last a half-hour. Details: 412-456-6666.
Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society
Concerts usually are preceded by free recitals in the Grand Foyer of Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland. The next Grand Foyer free concert will be by Cellofourte at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, followed by a full concert by the Zehetmair Quartet at 8 p.m. Details: 412-624-4129.
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra
Student rush tickets can be purchased for $5 one hour before performances at The Palace Theatre, Greensburg. Details: 724-837-1850.
Renaissance and Baroque Society
Pre-concert talks and Q&A sessions with the performers after the concert are given at no extra cost. The next concert features Spanish baroque opera and zarzuela performed by El Mundo at 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Synod Hall in Oakland. Details: 412-361-2048.
University music
There are many free concerts, or ones with only suggested donations, at local universities. When there is admission, it usually is $10 or less, except for staged works such as operas and musicals. Upcoming events worth considering include the Starling String Quartet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Alumni Concert Hall, Carnegie Mellon, 412-396-6083, free; Brahms on the Bluff at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Duquesne University, 412-396-6080, $10 suggested donation; and a Festival of Women's Choirs at 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at Bellefield Hall, University of Pittsburgh, 412-624-4125, $5 admission.
River City Brass Band
Student rush tickets can be bought an hour in advance for $6 at Byham Theater performances. Tickets for students are $2 off at the band's six other locations. Details: 412-434-7222.
DANCE
Pittsburgh Ballet Theater
Half-price rush tickets for age 65 and older and for students are available one hour before curtain. The final performance of "Don Quixote" is at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Benedum Center. Performances of "The Nutcracker" begin Dec. 14. Pre-performance talks an hour before the curtain and "Afterthoughts" conversations, sometimes with the artists, are free for ticket holders. Details: 412-456-6666.
Pittsburgh Dance Council
Half-price rush tickets are available for age 65 and older and for students. The U.S. premiere of "Aether," a multimedia show by Lucy Guerin Inc. and part of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Australia Festival, is the next offering, at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Byham Theater, Downtown. Details: 412-456-6666.
Dance Alloy Theater
Dance Alloy also offers one of the best bargains in the arts at its "Behind the Curtain" wine-and-cheese series on selected Friday evenings, during which as many as 50 people can see a new work and talk with the choreographer and dancers. The next one is with choreographer David Parker at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16, at 5530 Penn Ave., Friendship.
The full-evening show "... A Different Drummer" will offer pay-what-you-can admission, Dec. 9 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, East Liberty. Details: 412-363-4321.
ART
One of the cheapest evenings of entertainment around is the "gallery crawl" -- basically, when a bunch of art galleries clustered in a certain neighborhood stay open at the same time, to showcase new exhibits and drive foot traffic between them. It's usually free, and you don't need to be an arts connoisseur. There's often some kind of live music, food and drink involved -- which, again, is almost always free.
'Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District'
There are so many people on the street for this event, you'd think a football game was about to break out. This one is great because of the variety of spaces -- some galleries are in storefronts, some in lofts -- and the fact that musicians, dance groups and a culinary school get involved. The next crawl is Jan. 25. Details: www.pgharts.org.
'Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn'
This event, on the first Friday of every month, ties together the extremely long Penn Avenue Arts District. This long-neglected stretch of Penn, through Bloomfield, Garfield, Friendship and East Liberty, is slowly being turned around, with artists playing a major role. The anchors of the crawl usually are Attack Theatre and the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Details: Online.
'Final Friday on Butler Street'
This gallery crawl showcases the growing cluster of galleries, boutiques, antique shops and restaurants in Lawrenceville's 16:62 Design Zone, on the last Friday of each month. The next is from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday. Details: 412-782-5100, ext. 103
'First Fridays Artwalk'
The "Artwalk" takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside.
Sewickley Gallery Walk
Also watch for the Sewickley Gallery Walk, which tends to happen biannually, once in the spring and once in the fall.
The Andy Warhol Museum
Not a crawl, Good Fridays at North Side's Warhol offers half-price admission from 5 to 10 p.m. the first Friday of each month -- the next one is Nov. 2 -- plus a cash bar and occasionally special programs. Details: 412-237-8300.
Frick Art & Historical Center
You get good value for your money at the Frick, in Point Breeze, where you can tour the Frick Art Museum and the Car & Carriage Museum for free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. That means you have extra cash to sample a delicious pastry at The Cafe or pick up a bauble at the Museum Shop. Details: Online.
The Westmoreland Musem of Art
The Greensburg museum offers several free lectures, film screenings and other events throughout the year. Upcoming are an "Arts Alive!" family day from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, and a brown-bag lecture from curator Barbara Jones on "Art in America: Part IV" at noon Nov. 14. Details: Online or 724-837-1500.
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