Who said going out had to be expensive?
Paul Bogdan
A&C Writer
Students are known for having to live on a tight budget. If there’s one thing that September is good for, it’s reminding us all about how horrendously expensive tuition and textbooks are for a semester of school. Frugality is an essential part of university life, especially in terms of one’s disposable income. Going to the Galaxy may be fun, but checking your bank account the next day is not. With a little digging, you can find that there are plenty of things to do in Regina without acquiring a guilt trip about your spending habits. Here are some things to check out this fall that will be easiest on your wallet.
Combat Improv
The damage: $5
The fifth season of Combat Improv is to kick off on Wednesday, Sept. 14, and promises to start another year of sidesplitting laughs. The season opener features many returning cast members and a handful of brand-new improvisers. With every show having the ability to leave you in tears, this is probably the best way you could spend $5 on any given Wednesday evening.
RSO’s Classically Hip Program
The damage: $13
Going to see the symphony doesn’t have to be an expensive night out. With the Regina Symphony Orchestra’s Classically Hip Program, those aged 15 to 30 can pick up tickets for only $13. It’s a pretty outrageous deal, considering adult tickets for a Masterworks Concert Series show can cost more than twice that.
Pass the Hat
The damage: Whatever you want it to be
Pass the Hat is a monthly stand-up comedy show featuring local comics. The best part about Pass the Hat: you pay what you want. Yes, you read that correctly. There’s no cover charge at the door, but at the end of the show give what you feel is appropriate when they pass the hat around at the end of the show. Didn’t enjoy the show? Well, at least you didn’t spend $15 on a 3D movie. Really enjoyed the show? That’s $5 or $10 well spent. The next show is to be held on Friday, Sept. 9, 9 p.m., at The Club.
RPL Film Theatre
The damage: $5 single feature; $7.50 double feature
The Regina Public Library Film Theatre offers movies that cost far less to see than the larger chain theaters in the city. Still too cheap to pay one-third of what you’d pay to see a 3D movie? Why not check out the Wednesday Plus shows that happen every Wednesday for free, or check out the National Film Board Club and see some NFB movies for free on Sept. 12? Don’t forget your student ID to get the student prices!
URSU Welcome Week
The damage: free
The University of Regina Welcome Week is already underway and, if you haven’t attended any of the awesome free events yet, don’t fret, because there are still two more days of activities. Thursday’s events are to include a live concert on the green featuring Mother Mother and Hey Ocean, beer gardens, a vendor fair and an after party at The Owl. Friday’s events are to include a beach volleyball tournament, UR International global showcase and movies on the green (X-Men: First Class and Bridesmaids), capped off with more drunken shenanigans at The Owl.
Fifth Parallel Gallery
The damage: free
The Fifth Parallel Gallery showcases work from students here at the University of Regina. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and conveniently located right in Riddell Centre, so you can stop by after class or on your lunch break. You really can’t argue with free admission either.
U of R theatre department productions
The damage: free with student ID
Every year, the theatre department at the U of R puts on a season of productions that are free for students to attend. What’s better than seeing a show and supporting the university’s theatre department? Doing so at no cost.
The Comedy Grind
The damage: $5
The Comedy Grind happens every Saturday at Gabbo’s and features a company of local comics performing stand-up acts. Go see why Regina’s comedy scene is growing so rapidly.
Culture Days
The damage: free
The second annual Culture Days weekend is to start on Friday, Sept. 30 and conclude on Sunday, Oct. 2nd. Discover your local culture (as well as cultures of the locals) with live music, an improv workshop, drum making, bead working and many other activities at multiple venues such as the Globe Theatre, CBC Broadcast Centre, Dunlop Art Gallery and Regina Public Library. See culturedays.ca for a complete list of events and venues.
Saskatchewan Science Centre
The damage: $8
October is Spooky Science Month at the Saskatchewan Science Centre, which means exploding pumpkins, a mad science lab, scavenger hunts and themed stage shows amongst others. Before Spooky Science Month kicks off, the Science Centre is to have its first ever garage sale on Sept. 17, where there will be old exhibits and other forgotten wonders for sale.
Kramer IMAX Theatre
The damage: $9 single show; $15 double feature
The IMAX Theatre is to be closed until Sept 17 for its annual cleaning, but once all the soda has been meticulously scrubbed from the floor, be sure to check out two awesome shows, Hubble 3D and Born to Be Wild 3D, in analog 3D for the price of one movie in digital 3D.
Globe Theatre’s Shumiatcher Sandbox Series
The damage: $20
Sept 29 is to mark the opening night of the Globe Theatre’s smaller, more intimate Shumiatcher Sandbox stage with Dot and Mae: Delusions of Grandeur. Created and performed by Lucy Hill and Judy Wensel, this improvisation-reliant, dark comedy about two psychiatric nurses is likely worth going to see.
Monday night jazz/Wednesday night folk at Bushwakker’s
The damage: free
There’s no cover charge for both Monday Night Jazz or Wednesday Night Folk at Bushwakker’s Brewpub. Check out both local and touring artists performing their craft on Mondays at 8 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
Regina Jazz Society
The damage: $10
Student memberships to the Regina Jazz Society are only $10 and will get you a $5 discount on admission to Regina Jazz Society concerts, which happen regularly on Fridays at Le Bistro in Laval School on Hillsdale Street. Upcoming shows are scheduled for Sept 16 and Sept. 30, with both shows starting at 8 p.m. at Le Bistro.
True Knit Art Show
The damage: free
The True Knit Art Show is a regular arts and crafts show with crafters from around the city. At the time of press, the date for the next show is still to be determined, so be sure to keep an eye on its Facebook page. Be warned, though, this isn’t your grandma’s arts and crafts show.
Live music at The Exchange
The damage: $10-ish
From the time this issue hits stands until mid-November, there are literally dozens of shows scheduled at The Exchange and The Club, from the likes of Orbital Express, Library Voices and Cuff the Duke, to name a few. Tickets are usually around $10, depending on both which and how many bands are playing that evening. Check out culturalexchange.ca to see a complete list of shows.
