Since I made the big move to Boston from New Jersey little more than a year ago, I’ve been on the hunt for fun, inexpensive events that, at the ripe young age of 18, I can legally attend. After countless hours of searching and multiple suggestions by friends, co-workers, strangers, and everyone in between, I’ve come up with a suitable list for everyone that connects with the above description.
For those youngins in need of a good laugh, the Wilbur Theatre is hosting a wide range of comedians throughout the next few months, including acts like Nick Offerman (October 17), Maz Jobrani (October 24), Jim Gaffigan (October 27–29), and even the finalists from NBC’s smash hit, “Last Comic Standing,” who will be performing on Halloween night.
Another local comedy hub that may spark your interest is the infamous Improv Asylum, sporting hysterical shows throughout October that will have you cracking up as soon as you walk through the door. The Shubert Theatre is hosting “The Boston Comedy All-Stars” on October 23, while Laugh Boston will have devastatingly hilarious enactments of “Shit-faced Shakespeare” every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday through December 30 with tickets starting at just $25.
Each of these terribly funny, abdominal-inducing acts are perfect for an entire group, a date, or a solo night out in Boston.
For my friends who’ve waded too far into the pool of all things artistic, the Charles Playhouse is putting on performances of both the Blue Man Group and “Shear Madness,” a mysterious comedy which includes audience participation. The Boston Opera House is running performances of the “Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler” from October 22–November 1, and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” from November 3–November 15.
For my fellow lovers of music and all things groovy, the glorious musical mecca that is the House of Blues has “EPIC Saturdays” every (you guessed it) Saturday night. This event takes place after whatever act is happening beforehand. Acts on Saturday for the rest of the month are: Glass Animals (October 17), Hasley: Badlands Tour (October 24), and Gary Clark Jr. – The Story of Sonny Boy Slim Tour (October 31).
The Boston music scene is a pretty historic one, as Beantown is home to quite a few major venues. The Orpheum Theatre, where acts like Led Zeppelin, U2, The Police, and more have previously performed, has an endless list of shows, as does Brighton Music Hall in Allston. And for my musically gifted friends who want to be a part of the act rather than just watch, there is all-day Beantown Karaoke at the Bell in Hand Tavern every Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m.
Just because we are young and broke (hooray for tuition!) does not mean that we, the future of entertainment, business, finance, medicine, arts, etc., cannot have just as much fun as everyone else. Events like these and many, many more are hosted at a wide array of places throughout the Greater Boston Area. So don’t worry about breaking open the piggy bank; just round up some friends and get ready for a great night out in the city we all love.