Even when the economy’s robbing you blind, getting cultured is still possible. Here’s how.
POP, ROCK & EXPERIMENTAL
FREE MONDAYS AT THE EMPTY BOTTLE: $0
The city’s premiere venue for rock and experimental artists hosts good — sometimes great — acts gratis. 1035 N. Western Ave., 773-276-3600; emptybottle.com
100 SONGS AT SONOTHEQUE: $1
This new Monday night series features local rock, indie and experimental heads DJing their “perfect mix tape” in 100 songs. 1444 W. Chicago Ave., 312-226-7600; sonotheque.org
DEVIL IN A WOODPILE AT THE HIDEOUT: $5 DONATION
The trio set up shop here a dozen years ago and has been performing country-blues and ragtime every Tuesday since. 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., 773-227-4433; hideoutchicago.com
CHEAP DATE: OCT. 20
Miranda Lange’s 100 Songs at Sonotheque. 9 p.m., $1.
JAZZ
JAM SESSIONS WITH DAVID BOYKIN AT CAFE MESTIZO: $0
It’s a food joint, yes, but it’s also a cool place to consume jazz. 1646 W. 18th St., 312-421-5920, cafemestizo.com
KIMBERLY GORDON ORGAN TRIO AT THE GREEN MILL: $4
Nighttime shows can be pricey, depending on who’s behind the kit. Sunday brunch is a saving grace. 4802 N Broadway, 773-878-5552; greenmilljazz.com
IMPROVISED MUSIC SERIES AT ELASTIC ARTS FOUNDATION: $5-$15 DONATION
The 10-year-old EAF hosts the local greats, from Vandermark 5 to Bishop/Albert duo and beyond. 2830 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd Fl., 773-772-3616; elasticrevolution.com
CHEAP DATE: NOV. 7
The Jazz Institute of Chicago presents Bebop Brass at LaFollette Park. 7 p.m., $0. 1333 N. Laramie Ave ., 312-427-1676; jazzinchicago.org
CLASSICAL & OPERA
SUNDAY SALON SERIES AND DAME MYRA HESS MEMORIAL CONCERTS AT THE CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER: $0
Preston Bradley Hall hosts Sunday afternoon performances from the Chicago Chamber Orchestra and others while the Dame Myra Hess series spotlights young talent on Wednesdays at lunchtime. 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, 312-744-6630; chicagoculturalcenter.org
CHICAGO CIVIC ORCHESTRA CONCERTS AT SYMPHONY CENTER: $0
The poor-man’s CSO performs in Orchestra Hall for free every month. 220 S. Michigan Ave., 312-294-3000; cso.org
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESENTS CLASSICAL CONCERTS: $0+
U of C’s reputable series offer $5 student tickets and, occasionally, next-to-nothing general admission. 5720 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-702-8068; chicagopresents.uchicago.edu
CHEAP DATE: NOV. 13
The University of Chicago Presents the Zukovsky Quartet at the Cultural Center. 7:30 p.m., $0. 78 E. Washington St., 773-702-8068; chicagopresents.uchicago.edu
ART
FREE TUESDAYS AT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART: $0
Target has sponsored this weekly freebie since 2005, but the “suggested” $10 admission makes every day a bargain. 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660; mcachicago.org
THURSDAY EVENINGS AT THE ART INSTITUTE: $0
Free admission to the city’s best museum: zero dollars. The chance to wander till 8 p.m. sans large school groups: priceless. 111 S. Michigan Ave., 312-443-3600; artic.edu/aic
FIRST THURSDAYS IN RIVER NORTH/WEST LOOP GALLERY DISTRICTS, SECOND FRIDAYS IN THE CHICAGO ARTS DISTRICT: $0
These monthly events offer extended hours, festive crowds and, if you’re lucky, complimentary wine. River North/West Loop: 312-649-0065; chicagoartdealers.org; Chicago Arts District : 312-377-4444; chicagoartsdistrict.org
CHEAP DATE: OCT. 23
“Drawn to Drawings: The Goldman Collection” at the Art Institute. 5-8 p.m., $0.
FILM
SECOND-RUN FILMS AT LOGAN THEATER: $3
Woody Allen’s latest and others show side-by-side at this old school theater with no previews. 2646 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-0627
CLASSIC FILMS AT THE HISTORIC PORTAGE THEATER: $4
“Son of Dracula” (1943) is among this month’s classics, and the grand organ sets the mood. 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave ., 773-736-4050; portagetheater.org
DOC FILMS AT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO: $5
Despite the name, this org shows a mix of box-office hits, cult flicks and more. 1212 E. 59th St., 773-702-8575 , docfilms.uchicago.edu
CHEAP DATE: OCT. 29
“Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974) at the Portage Theater. 7:30 p.m., $4.
THEATER
FREE NIGHT OF THEATER: $0
Free tickets for current shows are granted to folks under two conditions: they must go somewhere they’ve never been, with a two-ticket limit. Various venues; freenightoftheater.net
THEATER OOBLECK’S SUGGESTED DONATION SHOWS: $8-$10 DONATION
“No director. New works. Free if you’re broke,” is the mantra of this 25-year-old Northside theater group. 773-347-1041, theateroobleck.com
“TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND” AT THE NEO-FUTURARIUM: $8-$13
TMLMTBGB’s famous 30-plays-in-60-minutes shtick has been around forever, but its roll-of-the-dice admission policy is a no-brainer bargain. 5153 N. Ashland Ave., 773-275-5255, neofuturists.org
CHEAP DATE: OCT. 25
Theater Oobleck’s “The Trojan Candidate” at the Neo-Futurarium. 8 p.m., $12 donation.
COMEDY
IO’S FREE WEDNESDAY SHOWS AT THE CABARET THEATER: $0
Wednesday’s early sets are a risk-free way to sample the teams. 3541 N. Clark St., 773-880-0199; chicago.ioimprov.com
LEVEL 5 SHOWS AT SECOND CITY’S E.T.C. THEATER: $5
Yes, these are student shows. But Level 5s are on their way to the real world, so they can’t be half-bad. 1608 N. Wells St., 312-337-3992; secondcity.com
CHICAGO UNDERGROUND COMEDY AT THE BEAT KITCHEN: $5
Five stand-up acts share the bill on this long-running Tuesday weekly, which strives for diversity in talent. 2100 W. Belmont Ave.; chicagoundergroundcomedy.com
CHEAP DATE: OCT. 22
iO’s Shadowfax, Virgin Daiquiri and Carl & the Passions at the Cabaret Theater. 8 p.m., $0.
DANCE
PERFORMANCE ART AT LINKS HALL: $0+
Anything goes at this Wrigleyville institution, from modern dance to new works of performance art. 3435 N. Sheffield Ave., #207, 773-281-0824; linkshall.org
PERFORMANCES BY DANCEWORKS CHICAGO: $0+
This grass roots org presents everything from educational Dance Bytes to sampler Dance Flights, most of which are free. 312-810-2212; danceworkschicago.org
ABOUT DANCE AT THE CULTURAL CENTER: $0
This monthly series features excerpts from acclaimed dancers and choreographers, plus discussions. 78 E. Washington St., 312-744-6630; chicagocultural center.org
CHEAP DATE: NOV. 12
Site Unseen at the Cultural Center. 6 p.m., $0.
