High art does not have to be high-priced. Most weekends in LA and OC are replete with free and low-cost quality arts events. The trick is finding them. What follows is a partial list.
Art
Jan. 28: Free museum day throughout the southland, also known as the Annual Museum Free For All. OCMA and MOLAA participate (Bowers does not). Note that The Hilbert at Chapman U, The UCI Art Gallery and The CSU-Fullerton Begovich galleries are always free.
Classical Music
Jan. 28: Free classical music every Sunday at The Nixon Library. Free parking, too.
Jan. 28: Free Newport Beach Musicales once a month at the Newport Beach Library. Free parking, too.
Jan. 28: Chamber music at Fullerton Friends of Music. Almost free. Fullerton Friends of Music is a non-profit and requests a donation. I’ve seen the quality ensembles that FFM brings in. Very much worth it!
Jan. 27: Symphony Irvine in Laguna Niguel. Almost free. Symphony Irvine is a non-profit and requests a donation.
Jan 28: Colburn KOVA Quartet at SOKA University. Not free, but affordable at $16 – $20. This is an ensemble from one of the country’s best music schools. SOKA has a state of the art theater with 100% great seats, free parking and a beautiful campus. The result is an inexpensive event you will always remember.
Theater
Orange County has several regional theaters and most of them have a production this weekend. Prices range between $15 – $25. Check out the productions at STAGES Theatre, Modjeska Playhouse, The Cabrillo Playhouse, Newport Theatre Arts Center, The Maverick Theater, Westminster Community Playhouse and The Stage Door Repertory Theatre.
Film
Sometimes film is high art. Telling people you attended a film festival is always artful Monday morning conversation.
Jan. 26 – 68: Irvine Film Festival at The Triangle (formerly Triangle Square). Admission is $10 per screening. That is less than you would pay for a regular movie.
Jazz
Jazz is an American art form and it is high art to me. There are some crazy talented jazz musicians in this area. This weekend, check out:
Jan. 27: Will Brahm Trio at The Boathouse Collective. Free!
Jan. 27: Vocalist Sylvia Rodriquez and the Rhythm Boys at The Exhibition Room. I don’t believe there is a cover charge, but there may be a drink minimum. Sylvia is worth it! She swings The Great American Songbook!
Jan. 27: Vocalist Amanda Castro at The Public House in Fullerton. I don’t believe there is a cover charge, but there may be a drink minimum.
Jan. 26: JazzReach presents Duke Ellington at The Irvine Barclay. Not free, but a real bargain considering the price ($20), the ensemble and the theater.
Did I miss anything noteworthy? Please let me know!