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Check out Night Out / Night Off for cheap(er) tickets for students of color to theatre and musical events!
Concert Venues / Comedy Clubs
Concert Venues / Comedy Clubs
Local
Local
There are many concert venues within walking distance from campus.
UC Theater (University Ave) - hosts a variety of concerts and shows, including a shadow cast production of Rocky Horror on Halloween and Valentine's Day. The front of the theater is standing room only, but there is a seated area in the back of the theater. Tickets are usually pretty affordable (< $50).
Cornerstone (Shattuck Ave) - a venue within a pub. This is behind Pegasus books. To enter, you go through the Cornerstone pub entrance and walk to the back left. This maybe holds 300 people and does concerts and movie screenings. Tickets are usually pretty affordable (< $50) but sell out quickly.
Greek Theater -
Bay Area
Bay Area
Every January-February, San Francisco Sketch Fest is held all across SF. It is a great way to affordably explore the comedy clubs of SF. They host a variety of improv shows, podcast live shows, and sketch groups. The tickets are usually less than $40, but this would depend on the popularity of the cast. These shows sell out fast (buy tickets in December).
SF Symphony - You can sign up for the mailing list to find out when "Student Rush" tickets are available, which are $20 tickets for college students.
SAP Center - hockey arena in San Jose that is used for large concerts. You can theoretically get to the arena from BART, but be careful that you get back to the station before the BART stops running. Parking is safe but expensive at the venue. Tickets are mid-range to expensive depending on the artist (~$75-200). There is usually separate pit (standing) and plastic arena seated areas.
Oakland Arena - large concerts in Oakland. Directly next to the A's stadium. Easy to access via BART. Tickets are mid-range to expensive depending on the artist (~$75-200). There is usually separate pit (standing) and plastic arena seated areas. About the same size as SAP.
Palace of Fine Arts - STUNNING venue on the outside. Very close to Golden Gate Park and has its own park attached. Usually has comedy or podcast live shows. Theater has seating only (comfy red velvet seats that really recline when you sit down). Tickets usually mid-range (~$40-$100). Cheap parking on site, but they have high instances of break ins. Make sure that you don't leave ANYTHING in your car. Also accessible by public transit, but it involves BART and 2 buses.
Brava Threater Center - in the Mission! Theater has seating only. Usually has comedy or podcast live shows. Walkable from BART stop. Tickets usually affordable (~$50).
Castro Theater - in the Castro District. Theater has seating only (comfy theater seating). Tickets usually affordable (~$50). Usually has movie screenings or podcast live shows. Very close to BART stop.
Club Fugazzi - in North SF. Comedy focused but some times has acrobatic shows? Bar seating (kinda uncomfortable) but serves food and drinks during shows. Tickets usually affordable (~$50). Walkable from the Powell cable car stop.
Great Star Theater - in Chinatown. Theater has seating only (comfy theater seating). Tickets usually affordable (~$50). Usually has movie screenings or podcast live shows.
Outdoor Music
Outdoor Music
Redwood Grove Music Series- Summer concert series in the Redwood Grove at the UC Botanical Garden.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass- Annual free music festival in Golden Gate Park (San Francisco). Three days of great music from various genres, from bluegrass and folk to more pop-type music from around the world.
Stern Grove Festival- Weekly summer series of free concerts in Stern Grove (San Francisco).
Theaters (plays & musicals)
Theaters (plays & musicals)
Local
Local
Berkeley Playhouse - Notes on student discounts, etc.: They do have student discounts and pay what you can nights! In terms of transportation, it is pretty easy to get here since it is a few blocks south of Berkeley’s campus. The 51B and the 7 bus go right past it. They put on pretty awesome shows. The band is under the stage and incredible. Set, lighting, and costumes usually go super hard. I think it’s a volunteer gig for most actors participating except the one equity actor they have.
Berkeley Rep (note you can find some perks here https://hr.berkeley.edu/comp-benefits/perks). Note that Berkeley Rep usually does plays. However, it is INCREDIBLE production value (as embodied by the ticket prices) and I do need to start seeing some more shows from them and just plays in general. The ones listed below are just ones that I am kind of interested in going to. Check out their website for more information!
Under 35 discount: Half-price tickets for anyone under the age of 35 (ID required to be shown at will call before performance, one ticket per one ID; based on availability; available online, by phone, and in person).
$25 tickets: A limited number of $25 tickets are released every Tuesday at 1pm for that week’s performances during the runs of our season shows (available on a first come, first served basis; available online, by phone, and in person).
Rush tickets: Full-time students and seniors (age 65+) with valid ID can save 20% on tickets in sections A and B one hour before each show (ID required, one ticket per one ID; based on availability; must purchase in person).
Ashby Theater (Shotgun Players) - Their previews are often $8 tickets. If you are 25 years old or younger, they offer discounted tickets. The theater is very small and has velvet pew seating. Shows are often very queer and very fun. This theater is directly across from the Ashby Bart Station. You can also access the theater via the AC Transit 12 or 7 lines.
Contra Costa Civic Theater
Woodminster Summer Musicals
The Marsh - A lot of local plays. Could be interested if other folks are also going.
Masquers Playhouse - It looks like they have $15 nights! But in general prices are around $25-35. They have some other plays before this but I’m not super interested.
Altarena Playhouse - They usually do one musical, in the spring. Three side seating! You can’t really get here without a car unfortunately. I have not tried but supposedly it’s BART to Fruitvale and then either a very long walk or the O bus.
Shotgun Players - Amazing theater space. Very queer. Near Ashby BART. To learn more about chepaer prices: click HERE.
San Francisco
San Francisco
General Broadway: The Golden Gate, Orpheum Theater, The Curran
Theatre Rhinoceros
New Conservatory Theatre Center
Ray of Light Theatre - Awesome theater near 16th st. Mission BART! Saw Legally Blonde here in Fall 2024 and it was so awesome. Great set, lighting, costumes, and actors!
American Conservatory Theater - The Toni Rembe Theater: pretty easy to get to. Off at Powell BART, up Powell st (steep hill with the cable car so oof) and then on the left a few blocks! (up on Geary and Mason St. right SW of Union Square. ) Beautiful theater but very tight. Seats are very compact both on the sides and not a lot of legroom (at least the very top where I was sitting given tickets from TodayTix).
Brava Center for Women in the Arts
La Lengua
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