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FriendFest

September 29, 2010 by Lynn Edwards | Comments (0)

A wise old woman once told me that husbands and kids come and go but girlfriends are there through it all! She was enjoying cocktails with her best buddy and they shared a knowing laugh. Their other friend chimed in with that funny saying, “We have to be great friends, she has way too much dirt on me!”

I was inspired by this exchange and made a commitment to spend some quality time with my “girls” this summer. It was a treat to say the least, to lounge in the sun and talk about everything under the sun. I met these dear friends when I was 18, my freshman year of college, and these women indeed have way too much dirt on me to not be my BFF’s. We live far apart but we commit to making time to share our lives and I’d be lost without them. (I promised I would change the names to protect the guilty so they know who they are.)

Women are amazing and it’s clear that we have an innate need to connect with other amazing women. We join Brownies, sororities, book clubs and play bunco. We have 10,000 words to share a day and let’s face it those hubbies and kids only hear about 2 so we need a sounding board.  I’m quite sure the chicks in the caves had dinner club too, they just probably fussed less about the décor when it was their turn to host.

Women get the “it takes a village” concept. There are women in our lives that help us rear our children and they deserve a badge of honor. I have driven across town to retrieve a rogue tuba for a neighbor kid’s concert and I myself have fallen on my sword and made the desperate call to a girlfriend to help me “feed my children tonight”. You know you’re sharing these duties when your friend drops off your kids and submits an invoice for groceries while returning a load of your kid‘s laundry.

Men call it hitting for the cycle in baseball, I have friends that I have shared “the cycle” with…it’s called attending their bachelorette party, their baby shower and their divorce soiree. I have been there to share every whoop whoop, every tear drop and every ummm what else do you have to wear?

There are all kinds of friends…everyday friends that you share every blow by blow with, the lifelong friends that know all your stories and those friends that you bring swimsuit shopping with you cause you know they’ll serve it up straight.

If you doubt the power of the sisterhood, sit close to a pack of girls by the pool in Vegas. I overheard a group of women from Wisconsin saying, “We’ve never seen you do that move Helen, but you rocked it girl!”…they were in their mid-50’s and belly laughing at each other. It warmed my heart and I quickly looked to my girlfriend to help me explain the phone number written in permanent marker on my thigh.

There are those friends you live vicariously through…you know, the girl who sits next to you at work with the fun weekend party stories and when she turns to you for your report you say once again, “ I made this amazing new flavor of microwave popcorn and watched a movie.”  There are the friends with the hottest husband, a cute new car, time for manicures, the ones the same size as they were in high school and the one with the uniformed name labels on her spice drawer…we love to hate em.

We all know the joy we feel after spending time with these gal pals that help us march through this crazy life. Pick up the phone, get on Facebook, email, text, smoke signal her, whatever you have to do but CONNECT with these chicks…let them know how much they mean to you. Cheers to you girls!

As the sign hanging over my doorway says that my dear friend bought me…“A good friend will bail you out of jail, a great friend will be sitting in there with you!”

All the World’s a Stage: 10 Insider Tips for Visiting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival

September 27, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

To go or not to go? That is the question.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is celebrating its 75th anniversary season with a multitude of plays and activities that shouldn’t be missed. Held near the southern border of Oregon in the picturesque town of Ashland, the festival offers something for everyone. You can enjoy the theatre (especially this year’s production of Twelfth Night which launched the festival in 1935) and be charmed by the town’s many, quaint pleasures. Mark your calendars because the season ends October 31. To borrow old William’s words, you’ll be proclaiming that “parting is such sweet sorrow” by the time you leave!

1. If you’re pinching pennies, consider buying tickets during the Value Season, October 5-31. Tickets are discounted 25% (40% if you pay to become an OSF member). Also, sign up for OSF’s e-mail newsletter for additional, periodic discount codes.

2. Still pinching pennies? Don’t be overly choosy about seat location. The festival stages plays in three theatres: the Angus Bowmer, New Theatre and Elizabethan Stage. Any seat in the intimate Angus Bowmer or New Theatre offers a great view – even the last row. Save your money to buy better seats for the Elizabethan Stage. It’s an outdoor theatre accommodating over 1,000 people and it becomes difficult to hear the farther away you sit.

3. Seeing a play at the Elizabethan Stage is a special treat, but be prepared as the weather welcomes fall. Dress warmly since temperatures drop sharply at night (plays often don’t end until 11:00 p.m.). Unless you have buns of steel, bring a seat cushion since the metal chairs can be remarkably uncomfortable. If you don’t have your own, beat the crowd and rent one ($2.50) from the Soroptimist Club located inside the theatre. Your bum will thank you!

4. Arrive a few minutes early. The plays don’t officially start before the advertised times, but the curtain goes up well in advance. Casts frequently take the stage early to perform a brief prelude that can be simply amusing or a relevant lead-up to the plot.

5. Stay a few minutes late. Actors and other special guests frequently offer “Member Talks” after the matinee performance. These free talks are open to everyone and an information kiosk with the daily schedule is located outside the main door of the Angus Bowmer Theatre.

6. Walk! The majority of lodging is located within walking distance from the theatres and you can stroll the entire length of the main street in 15-20 minutes. The 93-acre Lithia Park is located directly behind the OSF theatres and is free and open to the public. Stop by park headquarters to obtain a trail guide highlighting the trees, rose garden and make sure to throw a penny into the historic 1915 Lithia Water Fountain!

7. Increase your quality time with The Bard by visiting the OSF Welcome Center (corner of Main and Pioneer Streets). Learn about the history of OSF, the plays and volunteers will answer any lingering questions. A free display of costumes from prior productions is also well worth your time. The quality is so remarkable that the New York Metropolitan Opera has been known to borrow pieces from the OSF costume department.

8. Take home a Shakespearean souvenir without breaking the bank. Behind the Elizabethan Stage in the Bill Patton Garden where visitors can make their own brass rubbings (weather permitting, Wednesday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). A selection of 50 brass plates is available (including a portrait of Shakespeare) and wax is used to imprint the image onto a piece of paper covering the plate. A popular activity with families, the cost is $5-$30 depending on the size of your image.

9. Get your blood pumping with one of the free, Green Show performances staged in the Festival Courtyard. Musical performances ranging from hip hop to contemporary Japanese music are a favorite of festival goers and scheduled on various days in the evening (6:45 p.m.) and occasionally midday. This year’s Green Show season ends October 10 and is not to be missed!

10. Shakespeare groupies will be in literary heaven thanks to this year’s exhibit of an original Shakespeare folio. The First Folio, printed in 1632, is an original copy of Shakespearean plays on loan from the Paul G. Allen Family Collection. An exhibit accompanies the folio and viewings are held, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with advance tickets for $5. The viewing room is exceptionally small and if you want an uncrowded look at the folio, choose a time early in the day.

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*This post was written for the CRAVE company by Deanna Duff, culture maven and freelance writer extraordinaire from Seattle, Washington.

5 Fashion Pitfalls to Avoid

September 24, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (2)

Whether you’re a new mom, an experienced mom, or not a mom at all; it’s easy to get into a fashion rut. If you’re a mother, you know it’s even more difficult to juggle children, a career, and a social life; while still giving yourself that all important “me” time. Even a career alone can infringe on the “life” portion of the “work/life balance” equation; not leaving much time to address things, like your own personal style. One day it seems easy to keep up with the latest fashion trends; then suddenly you realize your wardrobe has become tired and outdated. Here’s how to avoid the top 5 fashion pitfalls:

1. Not keeping up with trends – As we age, we tend to get stuck in a time warp. I still favor the music I listened to in high school and college, especially when all those songs are at my fingertips in an iPod. But if I don’t keep up with the latest music, I’m going to be like my parents who think music from the early 60’s is still “hip.” Same with your wardrobe. You don’t have to revamp your entire closet; but adding the latest jacket, denim style, or accessories keeps your look fresh without breaking the bank.

2. Wearing only trendy clothing – On the other side of the spectrum, wearing the latest trend also means it has to work with your lifestyle and who you are. Not every trendy look meshes with your personality (Not everyone likes or can pull off the Bohemian look. Flats may be in but if you hate flats, why wear them?). So be true to yourself and wear what makes you comfortable.

3. Routinely wearing the same outfits – This has happened to me before. I’ll buy a cute top, and then suddenly find myself wearing it all the time because it’s comfortable or matches everything. Showing up in the same outfit frequently doesn’t benefit you though. Sure, maybe you’ll spend a few minutes less trying to put together an outfit, but it makes you less receptive to trying out new looks. Plus, where’s the fun in dressing the same every day?

4. Not dressing for your body type – I don’t care how trendy an item of clothing is, if it isn’t flattering on you, please do not wear it. One notable example of this pitfall is wearing ultra-low rise jeans with a fitted or cropped top, and not having the right figure to pull this look off.

5. Not investing in good quality, timeless clothing – Every girl should own some quality, timeless basics that will last for years to come. Black trouser or boot cut pants, a white button down top, a cardigan sweater in a basic color are just some examples. A timeless piece can be integrated with the latest trends and accessorized in various ways to create several looks.

I hope these tips will help you avoid any fashion pitfalls, keep your wardrobe looking fresh, and you looking your best.

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This post was written for the CRAVE company by Nancy Cooper, the creator/editor-in-chief of Violet Revolution, a website bringing style and shopping advice to Chicago women and beyond.  The site features weekly articles on what to wear, lookbooks of outfits, answers to fashion questions readers submit; as well as coverage of local boutiques, fashion shows and events, plus general fashion news. Check out Nancy’s website here.

A Former Technophobe Grows Up

September 22, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (3)

For years I was afraid of technology. Hated the phone, wrote letters well into my thirties, was not very found of Sunday driving as I inevitably become carsick. Then I got a job. In an office. Wearing pantyhose. The ‘real world’, my mom might say. While everyone was salivating over the new Palm Pilots (remember those?), I was still lugging around my 25 lb Filo Fax, determined to cling to the familiar. Overtime I did evolve, but with each new gadget, it never quite replaced its predecessor and in truth, never really became a part of me.

All of this changed when I got an iPhone. While I still can’t type coherent emails it has become my lifeblood because of one thing, and one thing only. The App Store.I can actually manage my freelance life from the palm of my hand in a way that appeals to my “type a” nature and supports my love of all things esthetically pleasing. In short, this phone is a solid representation of me. Here is a sneak peak into my personal arsenal of entrepreneurial ‘must haves’ broken down in 4 categories:

1. Productivity
Evernote – website
Evernote let’s me clip articles, organize them in folders and displays each clipped article, link, note in the same manner your would view on screen while instantly synching to my desktop. Lovely.

Square – website
Get paid instantly – This little beauty allows you to accept credit card payments directly to your iPhone. Great for small businesses as there are no hidden fees, minimums or contracts.

Billings – website
Hands down the best app to track expenses, time, and mileage, creating invoices and tracking outstanding payments.

Dropbox – website
Essential. I can transfer any file from my phone to my desktop (and vice-versa) in mere seconds. ‘Nuf said.

2. Creative
Hipstamatic – website
There are many camera apps out there but if I had to choose one, it’s the Hipstamatic. The app included 4 lenses (with the opportunity to purchase more) that can transform your dead houseplant into work of art – trust me on this, I tried it.

Diptic – website
Genius! Diptic allows me to arrange my photos into blog related templates. With 14 to choose from, your blog posts can appear fresh and visually interesting.

Impression – website
Now that you’ve taken great photos of your wares, make them your own with this handy app. Impression let’s you copyright your images instantly so they are ready for public viewing.

3. Resources
Open Forum – website
Published by American Express, this is a wonderful resource for any small business, full of handy tips, great community forums, and market trends.

LinkedIn – website
A must have for networking. Period.

Blogger/Tumblr/Wordpress – Blogger, Tumblr, WordPress
Whatever your platform for blogging, there’s an app for it. Handy when you need to blog from the road.

4. Style
Shop Style – website
Delicious. Need some fab red peep toes to go with your new black wool trousers? This app allows you to shop from a huge selection of retailers nationwide and curate the looks.

Sartorialist – website
For those of you familiar with Scott Shuman’s The Sartorialist, this is a handy app when you’re just in the mood for a little inspiration. I check in daily.

There you have it! If you’re strapped for apps and craving a little technology pick-me-up, look no further.

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This post was written for the CRAVE Company by seasosed marketing professional Kari Mitchell. She is the founder of Last Day in May, a Portland based creative communication consultancy designed to help small businesses grow via E-Marketing, Social Media, Public Relations and Brand Development.   A self described paper junkie, you can check out her ramblings on words, designs, objects, and scenes at lastdayinmay.tumblr.com

Is Seafood Still Considered Healthy?

September 20, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (2)

Are you the girl who always orders grilled fish in hopes of being healthy?  Granted your fish entrée is lower in calories that your date’s bowl o’ nachos, but what about toxins in your dish?   Once thought to be the perfect “healthy” protein source, fish has recently come under scrutiny due to toxicity concerns. So what is the issue? Mercury and PCB’s. These dangerous substances enter the oceans from industrial discharges and agricultural practices, which are then eaten by fish, rendering their flesh toxic. Larger, more mature fish typically have higher levels of mercury because they have had more time to accumulate such toxins. Bottom dwelling fish also contain concerning levels of PCBs because when chemically laden runoff enters the water, it settles at the bottom.

Why do we need to stay away from mercury and PCBs? According to the Environmental Defense Fund, Mercury and PCBs build up in the body over time and can affect the nervous system, harming vision, hearing, and motor skills. These toxins can also cause slow brain development in children, leading to learning difficulties later in life.

Here is a quick list of fish to avoid:
Chilean Sea Bass
Mackerel
Orange Roughy
Grouper
Ahi Tuna
For a more in-depth list click here.

The good thing to know is that not all fish contain alarming levels of mercury and PCBs. There are actually quite a few delicious types of fish and seafood you can enjoy without worry.

Safe fish to eat:
Albacore Tuna (only troll caught)
Anchovies
Cod
Pacific Halibut
Rockfish
Sardines
Wild caught salmon
For a complete list of healthy West Coast fish click here. If you aren’t a west coaster, click here for the edible fish in your region.

When buying fish, remember that farmed fish, including salmon, can also be high in PCBs. If you choose to buy farmed fish, be sure to research the farm and what types of practices they use to reduce toxicity levels.

So now that you know what fish to eat, try this fantastic dish of baked fish with Baja spices. It’s a perfect quick meal goes great with organic corn tortillas and guacamole.

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This post was written for the CRAVE company by Jamie G. Dougherty, the owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Counseling. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Coach with a private and corporate practice that offers assistance nationwide. She is passionate about deliciously healthy food and specializes in helping her clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition and self-care.

To receive your fill of healthy living tips become a JAMIE|LIVING Facebook Fan or follow her on Twitter!  You can also find delicious recipes at www.jamieliving.blogspot.com.

Top Tips to Love Your Loft!

September 17, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (1)

From SoHo to Downtown LA they are calling. From the deconstructed artist loft to the shiny hybrid soft loft, they beckon, promising adventure and inspiration. They say, “You are an urban pioneer, a creative adventurer, in search of an authentic experience. You are the daredevil of your suburban circle of friends.”

You live in a Loft.

Congratulations, your space is as unique and unconventional as you are! Now how the heck do you decorate it? I’ve been in hundreds of lofts of all shapes, styles and sizes and the common thread between them all is that whatever worked in your Beach Bungalow or Traditional Tudor probably will not work here. There are challenges that arise with soaring ceilings, no separate rooms and all that open space. Here are a few tips I’ve learned that will spark the inner space planner inside of you!

Anchors Away
In more traditional structures, the walls anchor the placement of furniture and dictate the set-up of the room. However, in one big open space, most of the furniture will have to “float” in the middle of the room and will be anchored by things other than walls. Area rugs are a great way to anchor individual sections of the loft. Grouping items together such as two armchairs, an occasional table and floor lamp can make an attractive vignette in an otherwise awkward corner or unused niche. Remember that your couch does not have to be up against a wall – if it has an attractive back it can be placed virtually anywhere in the space at any angle in any configuration.

Living the High Life
We love our loft’s high ceilings but rarely take advantage of them. Be sure to utilize tall storage systems and oversized artwork to make a statement and make use of the high ceilings, especially if the space is short on square footage. Lots of bookshelf, closet, and cabinetry storage is essential to keeping the clutter out of eyesight. The best part is that you can really take advantage of custom-made pieces in this area that would otherwise look out of place in a traditional ceiling height setting.

The Great Divide
Room dividers can be more than rice paper and wood panels. Since many lofts do not feature closets, standing wardrobes with a finished back are great for storage. They also serve to delineate living spaces, lend privacy and custom units can be made in any finish and configuration. Open bookshelves do double duty as a virtual wall that holds books on one side, while providing a place for pictures on the opposite side.

Everything Must Go
The colors need to flow throughout your open floor plan, but they don’t need to match. Each individual living space can have a separate color theme as long as a common thread runs between two or more exposed areas. For example, if your Plum and Slate colored bedroom is visually adjacent to your Teal and Brown living room, then use Lemony-Green accents in both areas to compliment each individual scheme and carry a commonality throughout.

Most importantly, be true to yourself and true to your space, most of the time your instincts will tell you what feels right. Be bold, take a chance and for goodness sake, don’t play it safe!

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This post was written for the CRAVE company by Christy Biberich, Space & Design Therapist and founder of Interior O.D. She lives and works in a spatially challenged downtown loft – and loves it! You can visit her website here: http://www.interiorod.com/.

Game Day Grub

September 16, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (1)

Fall is here, students are heading back to school, bikinis are going back in the closet until next summer, and football season is in full swing. I will admit that I am not the biggest football fan, but the tailgate and game day parties never fail to coax me into attending or watching a few games every year. While many of my friends have been busy drafting the best picks for their fantasy football leagues, I have been busy bringing you some awesome recipes and tips perfect for a tailgate or your next football party.

Game Day Party Tips:

Consider a potluck style party to keep costs low, just coordinate with guests so you don’t end up with multiple versions of the same dish.
Keeps dips and chips on the table close to the couch for easy access during the game. Set up everything else buffet style allowing guests to serve themselves during commercial and halftime breaks.

Keep food simple. Finger food that won’t require any utensils is best. This way guests can focus on the game, and with minimal prep you will be able to enjoy the game as well.

Incorporate some team spirit and decorate your table with team colored plates, bowls, napkins and tablecloth.

Have plenty of beverages on hand for thirsty guests. If you do not want to bother with individual cans or bottles, consider buying a 5-liter mini keg that serves just enough for a small gathering of friends.

There are two guests that should always be invited to every football celebration: chicken wings and beer. There is something inherently satisfying about getting back to one’s cavewoman’s roots by watching grown men hit each other and tearing perfectly marinated meat off the bone. Chicken wings are great for football parties because they’re versatile. You can appease every guest’s flavor preference just by altering the marinade: honey BBQ, teriyaki, and even lemon garlic. However, there is nothing like the classic buffalo flavors to make a win feel complete. For exceptional meats, go over to www.localharvest.org, a website dedicated to locating farm fresh groceries in your area.

Chipotle Buffalo Wings with Blow-Your-Mind Blue Cheese Dip (Reprinted with permission from High Flavor Low Labor © J.M. Hirsch)

5 pounds chicken wings and drummettes (20-25 pieces)

½ cup chipotle hot sauce

2 tablespoons agave syrup, plus more to taste

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

6 cups canola oil

Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Use paper towels to pat the chicken pieces dry. Use many towels and try to absorb as much moisture as possible. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the hot sauce, agave, butter, soy sauce and cilantro. Taste to check the heat level. If the sauce is too spicy, add agave. Set aside.
Place the oil in a large Dutch oven. Heat over medium until it reaches 275° F.

Divide the chicken into four batches. Working one batch at a time, fry for 8 minutes, transferring each to a clean plate or baking sheet when done.

Once the first round of frying is done, increase the heat to medium-high and heat the oil to 375° F.
Fry the chicken, again in batches, for 2 minutes, then transfer it to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. The skin should be brown and crunchy. As each batch finishes, season it with salt and pepper. When all the chicken pieces have been fried, transfer them to the bowl of prepared sauce. Toss to coat well, then transfer the buffalo wings to a serving platter.

Blow- Your- Mind Blue Cheese Dip

2 tablespoons olive oil

5 cloves garlic, minced

4 shallots, minced

½ teaspoon mustard powder

1 ½ cups sour cream

½ cup plain whole-milk Greek style yogurt

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 ¾ cups crumbled blue cheese

Pinch smoked paprika

In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, combine the oil, garlic, shallots and mustard powder. Sauté until the shallots are lightly browned and very tender, 4-5 minutes
Remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.

Stir in the sour cream, yogurt, mayonnaise, and blue cheese. Transfer to a serving bowl. Then refrigerate until chilled, at least 45 minutes.

When ready to serve sprinkle with paprika.

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This post was written for the CRAVE company by written by Alyssa Goldberg. Alyssa is a lover of all things to do with food and travel- check out her blog, WorldSavour by clicking here.

Foodie blogger Samantha Schuh also contributed to this post. Check out her blog, The Schuh Fits, here.

The recipe in this post is courtesy of © J.M. Hirsch.

Four easy steps to a feel-good, stress-free pricing strategy that works

September 15, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

For a lot of us, pricing is our least favorite part of the self-employment gig. We’d do what we do for free if the bank would let us skip those mortgage payments. And we’d like to be able to help everybody with our great products or fabulous service. And there’s also this: for some of us, it’s hard to say “this is what I think I’m worth” on a price tag or client estimate, for the whole world to see. What if they don’t agree?

But it doesn’t have to be icky. By being practical and intuitive and bailing on the emotional stuff, pricing can be pain-free.

1. Sit

Voila! There you have it.

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Visit Carrie’s website here: http://www.pinkelephantcommunications.com/index.html

How Do You Find Customers?

September 13, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (3)

“How do you find your customers?” When I talk to business owners, this question often comes up. I’ve been very surprised recently by the number of people who say something along the lines of “I don’t really know, they find me … ”, or they go on about how customers seem to come in the door from referrals, and when I ask them if they know who referred their customers, I usually get a blank stare.

If you are not proactive about reaching out to find customers, you are probably not seeing consistent sales in your business. Business may have been going well for you in the last few months, or they may have not. Without a solid plan for marketing and business development, you are just hoping that things work out. If you are not controlling how the market discovers your products or services, the market is controlling you! Ever hear of people blaming the bad economy, or summer slow down, or competitors entering the market, or a whole host of other external excuses? These are people who are not taking responsibility for their business outcome.

The only way you can have control over your sales is by having a solid business development plan. This plan needs to link directly to your revenue targets, be implementable in a consistent manner, and be measurable.

For example, if your customers find you primarily through word of mouth, build a plan to consistently have people find you through word of mouth. Who should be recommending you in the market? How many referrals do you need? Are you making it easy for them to recommend your services/products to others? Are they kept informed of your latest products/services? How are you going to reward them for being your champions in the market? How are you actively measuring the effectiveness of your referral sources?

There are many other ways to find customers, depending on the markets that you serve. I challenge you to take a look at your marketing plan (or create one if you haven’t) today, think about 3 things that you can be proactive about in marketing your business, and build a plan with steps and dates to put into action.

The next time someone asks you the same question, you should smile, explain to them how your customers find you, and know exactly where you stand because you have a solid plan in place!

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This post was written for the CRAVE company by business development expert Felicia Lee. She is a Ghost Advisor at Ghost CEO, an international company dedicated to professional development and business coaching for women.

Visit Felicia’s website here: http://www.ghostceo.com/

All Dressed Up and No Place to Go? The Top 5 Ways to Enjoy the Performing Arts on a Budget

September 10, 2010 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

We all love to follow fashion trends and stock our closets with cute outfits. The problem is, where are we supposed to wear our fabulous finds after we’ve blown our budgets? Those awesome stilettos need a better runway than the supermarket aisle! If you think a night on the town is out of your price range, think again. With a little insider knowledge, you can make your grand debut at the opera, theater or ballet and still afford dinner, too.

Flaunt Your Age
It’s generally not polite to ask someone’s age, but sometimes it pays! Everyone from symphonies to ballet companies are making an effort to entice younger audiences by offering significantly discounted tickets. The deals usually apply to people up to mid-twenties, so take advantage while you can. However, the good news for those six, seven and eight-year college students is that sometimes a student I.D. (no matter what your age) also works.

Young Professional Clubs
Maybe you were too busy partying studying and you no longer qualify for mid-20-something discounts. Fear not, with age comes wisdom. Sign up for one of the many “Young Professional” groups for people into their 30s. Each arts organization offers its own variation, but they almost always offer discounted tickets or subscriptions. They’re also a great option for meeting new people. Most groups organize social gatherings at restaurants, provide complimentary food and sometimes host educational programs. It’s the grownup version of college parties.

Pay-What-You-Can
Many organizations offer pay-what-you-can (PWYC) performances with theaters being your best bet. Generally, there are one or two PWYC performances during a play’s run. People are usually required to buy tickets the day of the show and a minimum donation is suggested. Plan ahead because sometimes you can only buy tickets at the box office and it may be cash only.

Volunteer
It’s good for the soul and good for your wallet. The arts are often as cash-strapped as you and can use the extra help. You can usher, rip tickets or staff information tables and your reward is frequently free tickets. In addition to regularly-scheduled arts events, you can also score this deal at many music and film festivals.

Connect online
It’s a digital world and it pays to live in it. Arts organizations are connecting with people through e-newsletters, Facebook, Twitter and websites. Pay attention to any and all forms of communication whether it’s Tweeting, friending or poking an arts organization. Keep in mind that the best deals are often for those who plan in advance (think months) or are spontaneous (think day-before-the-show). If there is something specific you want to see, check all options frequently.

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*This post was written for the CRAVE company by Deanna Duff, culture maven and freelance writer extraordinaire from Seattle, Washington.

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