Washington, D.C. can be one of the priciest places on the planet. Mitigating the money factor for visitors, however, is the fact that there are legions of free things to do. While everybody gravitates to The Mall, flanked as it is by the most dazzling collection of free museums in any city on earth, there are other treasures too. What you might not know is that there are plenty of free and near-free D.C. performances to be had on the banks of the Potomac. Consider these options:
Saturday Morning at the National is a family affair. The National, of course, is the National Theatre. The bill changes each week: puppeteers, magicians, music and ballet are all first-rate. Seating is limited and they give out tickets on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes prior to curtain time.
The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage is the setting each evening at 6p.m. for free performances by groups as diverse as the National Symphony Orchestra to jazz ensembles, gospel gatherings and poets.
The Bard is a bargain at the Harmon Center of the Arts. If you’re 35 and younger get discounted tickets to the Shakespeare Theater Company’s productions. At $15, they’re a steal. They release the weekly quota of discounted tickets Tuesday mornings at 10a.m. during show season.
This is too cool to keep secret. The Washington Ballet puts on a “beerandballet&bubbly” program in which folks sit in on an open rehearsal. That’s only the appetizer. Afterwards you get to mix and mingle with the dancers over a beer. Bodacious stuff. The cost is $25. For information give them a call at 202-362-3606.
Dollars and D.C. You don’t have to spend a lot of one to enjoy the other.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: ddebold)
