Gone With The Wind-Fall Savings

Los Angeles is one of the best cities to enjoy a cinematic experience. But the unpleasant fleecing of your wallet at a lot of theaters here can start to get old Fast and make you Furious. The average parking ticket in Los Angeles is $58 and that's about what you'll pay for an evening for two, including popcorn and drinks at the Arclight. When an evening at the movies rivals the same price as a civil infraction you know things have gone bad. The Dark Price Rises, but there's something you can do about it!



All great action movies need a Brave superhero and now some local theaters have their own. Captain Save em Dough is her name and her only duty is fighting the rising price of movie tickets across the south land. She works part time so you can only catch her handy-work at a few theaters. If independent theaters are your thing, you can catch a first run, adult movie ticket anytime for $6 at The Highland Theater in Highland Park. On Tuesday's and Wednesday's tickets drop to $3 for everyone, all day. With prices like that all you do is win, win, win no matter what. So put your hands up; and they stay there and they say there. Unless the movie starts in which case, put em down and contain your excitement.




If you love glow sticks, bottled water, and techno music, and/or just love going to the movies, you'll love the savings at Rave Cinemas on Tuesday's and Wednesday's. On Tuesday's Rave Cinemas charges $5 for movie tickets at their Brentwood location and $7 at their Westchester location. On Wednesday's at their Baldwin Hills location tickets are only $6.



Don't get me wrong, sometimes enjoying an evening at a premiere theater in LA is worth the splurge, but hitting these bargain theaters more often than not allows you to pocket the savings and use it to extend your date with some after movie drinks, dessert, dinner, etc. I mean seriously, do you think Abraham Lincoln fought all those vampires so we couldn't be free of financial film bondage? Keep saving sexy my friends!

Details:

When: Day and times vary. See theater websites

Where: Brentwood, Westchester, Baldwin Hills, & Highland Park

Why: Making it rain unnecessarily at the movie theater box office isn't part of the forecast. It's part of the faux-cast

Cost: $3-7

http://www.ravecinemas.com/promotions_bargaindays.aspx

http://www.highlandtheatres.com/

Free Willy

    
Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets. He stayed in the studio longer than Tupac and like both men, we're still intrigued by their lyrics and words today. Dost thou know of a greater time than the summer to check out Willy's work?

    There are two great ways to see Shakespeare this summer for FREE. The Independent Shakespeare Company's season starts Thursday, June 28th in Griffith Park and will continue every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Sept. 2. All performances are at 7pm. If Shake n Surf is more your style, The Salty Shakespeare Company's edited version of Hamlet at The Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica will suit thine own theatrical appetite. Shows are July 11, 12, 13, 17, 18 & 20 @ 3:30pm! The shows are free but Salty Shakespeare requires you to make reservations on line at http://annenbergbeachhouse.com/beachculture

When: Throughout the summer. Check both websites for dates and times
 http://www.iscla.org/
http://www.saltyshakespeare.org/

Where: Independent Shakespeare Co. performs at The Old Zoo at Griffith Park. Parking is free but a bit tricky. Check the ISC website for more details on exactly how to find the stage.

            Salty Shakespeare Company performs at The Annenberg Community Beach House

415 Pacific Coast Hwy

Santa Monica, CA 90402

        

Why: Shakespeare is the king of eloquent communication and since communication is so important when you're dating, enjoy the outdoors, cozy up and thank me later.

Cost: FREE. Reservations are necessary for Salty Shakespeare Co. and you can just show up for Shakespeare in Griffith Park. Parking at The Annenberg is $8 during the week and $10 on the weekend

          

The Great Outdoors, a Movie, & Grub

As much as I love eating a gourmet Chicken Apple Sausage while watching the hottest new indie flick at The Arclight, shelling out $16 per ticket can get old, fast. And since this town is known for it’s love of movies and the movie industry, an Outdoor Summer Movie Series is a great way to fall in love with some of your favorite oldies and enjoy some goodies at the same time. On top of showing recent cinema classics, you’ll find some of the best food trucks in LA, & LIVE bands performing before every movie; giving you one of the most unique “Dinner & A Movie” experiences ever.

Bringing a comfortable blanket for the ground is ideal, but bringing the low lawn chairs is gonna give you some premium comfort. And the people behind you will appreciate it. And for you serial texters, even though its outdoors, take an SMS break. If you’re important, people will wait. : ) There are two outdoor film series that both start running this Saturday, May 26th. Check out their websites for film schedules and more detailed info.

streetfoodcinema.com 

http://eatseehear.com/

Details:

Outside Food & Drinks ok        

Dogs are allowed(leashed)

Buy Tickets Online

Cost: $10 entrance fee & food ranges in cost depending on the                      food truck. Limited amount of VIP $20 tickets available for reserved seating.

Where: Locations vary(see websites)

When: Saturday nights during the summer(doors open 5:30, Live Band @ 6:30, & Movie @ 8:30)

Higher Learning

        Food shows on television cover just about everything you’ve ever thought about eating or drinking. And like shopping at Abercrombie it’s not very interactive. Emeril can “Kick it up a notch” all day long but will you ever know how it smells or tastes?

         The Association is one of the sexiest bars to pop up in downtown LA. It’s a little hard to find, like a person under 50 with a checkbook. But that’s part of what makes it unique. It’s lower level entrance and unmarked Ebenezer Scrooged door have all the tell tale signs of a secret club. Yet you’ll always find an interesting crowd and a diverse variety of music playing. Every Wednesday at 7pm they offer a free 2 hour introduction to cocktails class. And yes you get to do a little tasting too.This class will walk you through the process of cocktail design, mixology and history of their most popular cocktails. A date at a bar is pretty standard. Why not “Sip it up a notch” and upgrade from the Fuzzy Navels and Apple Martinis you’re so famous for making at Rotary Club meetings. Reservations through Eventbrite.com are necessary. (Next available class is April 25^th)

Details:

Website:  http://www.theassociation-la.com/

                http://associationcocktailclasses.eventbrite.com/

                (Make reservations here)

 

When: Wednesdays 7-9pm

Where: The Association

             110 E 6th St

             Downtown LA

Why: Because getting some Mixology 101 knowledge is a huge step up from your first chemistry kit in 4th grade.

Cost: Free

99 Bottles of Beer on The Wall…And a Bunch of Art

      Unless you live in a cave or have been collecting prison tats for the last 6 to 8 years, you know that downtown LA is one of the hottest places in the city to hang out. But just beyond the downtown borders there’s a unique community of artists who live in a former Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery complex. Twice a year they open their doors to the public to display and sell their art. With over 100 participating resident artists, it’s the world largest art complex. Imagine a live version of Mtv Cribs, but instead of seeing Master P's gold elevator, you get to see how local artists live and create. If that’s not enough, there’s good food, including an on sight restaurant that’s a great spot to kick back, music, and plenty of fun people watching.

 

         The Brewery Artwalk is happening this Saturday & Sunday (March 31st & April 1st)from 11am-6pm. It’s free and there’s plenty of parking. If you’re just looking or thinking of buying, it’s one of the coolest places in LA to check out art. There’s everything from the stuff you think your nephew Nathan could do(on or off his meds), to detailed beautiful masterpieces. Come, have fun, open your mind, and a cold one.

Details:

When: March 31st and April 1st(Saturday & Sunday)

Where: 2100 N. Main St, LA, CA 90031

Why: Really cool art and you can finally be the one who introduced someone in LA to somewhere they’ve never been.

Cost: Free

Parking: Free

These Sketchers actually look good

(Rosetta Stone not necessary for translation. That is certifiable sarcasm.)   

 Whenever I even think of picking up a pen to draw something, I can hear Mike Meyers, during his SNL days singing, "Well you know my name is Simon and I like to do drawerings!" I like to do drawerings too. The problem is they look as good as Steven Tyler in those Stretch-Mants. Hard to look at and begging for some aesthetic intervention.

      If you're at all artistically challenged like me, you're in luck. The Getty Drawing Hour is hosted by an artist who can give you a few pointers.  Just bring your own drawing pad and pencil. All experience levels are welcome. Hey, even if what you end up wouldn't be frame-worthy for a 4th grader, you and your date can laugh about it and enjoy experiencing a museum in a more creative way. And be honest; when you have seen a person sketching away in a museum, you think they're the coolest person ever; IN THAT ROOM. I forgot to mention its FREE and the next one is this Sunday, March 18th from 3:30-5:30pm. Registration begins at 2:30 @ the Museum Information Desk. The Getty Drawing Hour happens every first and third Sunday of the month. After this Sunday the next one is April 1st.

Details:

Website: http://www.getty.edu/index.html

When: The first and third Sunday of each month from 3:30-5:30

Where: The Getty Center(off the 405 freeway)
             Entrance is free and no reservations required

Why: Wearing Sketchers could make getting a 2nd date a bit of a challenge but sketching together guarantees it. I haven't done a survey but trust me.

Cost: Entrance and The Drawing Hour are free. Parking is $15 and based on availability

Tip: Get there early so you can check out the museum and register to make sure you get a spot.