|
SPECIAL
SECTION |
||
|
Navigate
|
Art Isn't Free,
but It May Be Cheaper
In O. Henry's ironic holiday story "The Gift of the Magi," two poor lovers sell their most treasured possessions--she, her hair, and he, his pocket watch--to purchase gifts for each other, only to discover that their sacrifices were for naught: She had bought a watch chain, and he had purchased combs for her tresses. Artists, who typically aren't big earners, are in a similar position. They go without little luxuries (e.g. shampoo, dining out and money) to live their passion, only to find themselves shut out at the box office from their own cultural community. Pricey tickets might seem to indicate that dancers, musicians and actors are indeed netting ample sums, but the cream from ticket sales is poured into building maintenance and myriad other administrative costs; it's the rare artist who can charge high fees. So art isn't free, but that shouldn't keep the paupers away. Some kinds of artists, of course, have it easier than others. Most visual-art galleries are gratis, and many even offer a decent hors d'oeuvres spread on first and last Thursdays, but canvas and sculpture do little to sate the minds of budding playwrights. Poets and authors can frequent readings without pulling out their wallets, but what's a dancer to do? We set out to rectify this injustice, at least in part, by steering scurvy-prone artists and cheapskates everywhere to art on the cheap. Unfortunately, our quest did not result in gads of good deals, but we did find a few. If you're in school or at an age when Geritol is no longer a joke, rejoice--most companies offer student and senior discounts. For those too old to smoke pot for fun and too young to need marijuana for medical reasons, we present a few tricks to skirt service charges and top-dollar tickets. Rush tickets, leftovers sold at reduced admission just before show time, are hard to come by, but they are a gift. The following five companies offer this type of discount: the Portland Opera (one hour prior to a performance); Friends of Chamber Music (on Mondays only), Tygres Heart (half price 15 minutes before show time for seniors and students only), Oregon Ballet Theater (half price one hour before the event for students and seniors only) and Oregon Repertory Singers. Remember, you can't count on rush tickets if the show sells out. It's also worth inquiring about group discounts, provided you have enough friends to take advantage of them. Another way to see shows on the cheap (if you're prepared to tolerate a few errors) is by attending a preview performance. Artists' Repertory sells preview tickets for $13.50, Tygres Heart for $12 for the first and second tiers and $8 for third-tier seating. At the Portland Opera students and educators luck out with substantially reduced entrance to dress rehearsals. Finally, the cheapest way to fill your culture cup is to volunteer. Trading time for tickets is an often-overlooked means of gaining admission to performances, and volunteers not only get into a show, but they also earn an insider's view. Just ask your favorite company if and when it's in need of extra bodies.
originally published September 9, 1998 |
|
