Category Archives: cheap entertainment

To every season…

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* queues High School Musical song

This week marks the end of the regular season for baseball and the beginning of postseason.

Last year the SF Giants were barely squeezing through into the post season as the National League Wild Card…and eventually won the World Series! Since I live in the Bay Area, I of course wanted to go to a game but was unable to win the lottery for post season tickets. But! I did find out about this great alternative if you are ever in SF and want to go to a Giants game for FREE.

The secret is called “the knothole”.
http://sf.funcheap.com/sf-giants-opening-day-watch-free-knothole-att-park/

There is a secret “hole” in one of the walls of the stadium that is open to the outside world, where you can watch a game for at least 3 innings (more if the crowds are few) through a chain-linked fence that looks on to right field.

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If i squint hard enough, i can see Buster Posey!

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Freeloaders

That, my friends, is how i was able to see Game 3 of the 2014 World Series at AT&T Park. The Giants lost, but it was still an awesome experience. My friend Becca had to wait in line starting around 4pm for a 7pm game….which got us in to the last 3 innings, so if you want to see a World Series game, line up sooner. But most other games you can arrive at any point to see some live MLB action. By far, this is one of the coolest things I’ve experienced at a Major League Stadium.

Even if you do have to wait in line for awhile, there are always things happening along the bay to entertain you (just bring lots of snacks or else you lose your place in line). Two kayakers named Dave & Steve (my previous wheelchair was named after him) are usually out on the water trying to catch home run balls. Or street artists who will spray paint “SF Giants” on your t-shirt which will double as a temporary tattoo for the next week or so.

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oh Dave

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IMG_2757 I’m World Serius

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For my wheelie friends: everything is accessible to all types of wheelchairs and levels of disability. There is a metal bar close to eye-level if you are in a wheelchair, but it’s pretty easy to see the game above or below it. The stadium staff will also move people out of the way so you don’t have to fight the crowds by yourself.

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Being small does have its advantages

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Open the gates and seize the day!

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Phantom of the Opera — Rush Tickets

Best way to see an off-broadway play for cheap in SF? Rush tickets.  2015-08-22 18.05.162015-08-22 17.23.45

Pros:

  • almost 50% cheaper than buying at regular price ($40 vs. $120)
  • decent seating choice (on the ground floor)

Cons:

  • No guarantee of a seat; First come, first serve
  • Seating is usually on the side of the theater, so you can’t always see everything
  • You have to pay in cash
  • Not all shows offer rush tickets
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my new friends!

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man in orange jacket keeping the rowdy play go-ers “in line”

If you don’t have lots of time to wait around in line to guarantee you get a ticket, then this is a poor option. But! Each person can buy up to 2 tickets, so if YOU don’t have lots of time, maybe a leisurely friend does and can wait in line for the both of you. Plus they can make friends with the local homeless people while waiting.

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So far I’ve seen 2 plays via the Rush Ticket method: Newsies and Phantom of the Opera.

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I’ve also seen other plays in the more conventional way via buying tickets online. Both are great option.

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For my wheelie friends: they almost always have wheelchair seating available for rush tickets or seats at the end of rows that you can transfer too. If you buy an accessible ticket the non-rush way, prices range from $40-$60, so rush tickets aren’t always worth the hassle. It’s up to you.

As far as theater accessibility is concerned, it’s great! Good view from the wheelchair spaces on the bottom floor. And a handicapped bathroom close to the seating. Parking is rough, just because you are downtown, but you can park anywhere on the street for free with your handicapped placard if you can find something.

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