If all goes according to plan, you’ll be able to hear me tomorrow morning in an “Arts File” segment on WQXR, New York’s public classical music station. I’ll be commenting on the high cost of attending cultural events (mostly music and theater, with a little bit of art thrown in). I’ll also touch upon the strategies used by the budget-minded NYC cultural consumers (myself included).
I’ve blogged previously about hitting the Great Wall of Price Resistance (including here, where I described my travails in ordering Metropolitan Opera tickets for the new season). The best (although least likely) way to beat rising ticket prices is to be a call-in winner for WQXR’s fall preview giveaways, this week and next. (I’m pinning my hopes on winning the Met’s entire Ring Cycle.)
Several years ago, I actually won WQXR tickets to a great Daniel Barenboim piano recital at Carnegie Hall where, by sheer happenstance, the occupant of the seat next to mine was none other than the Rabbi from my synagogue. I also won a trip for two to Australia on call-in with a different radio station, by knowing the title of a slightly obscure Bee Gees song for which one line of lyrics was provided (but that’s another story).
You can hear me talking about the cheap seats at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow on 105.9 FM or by clicking the “Listen” button on the right side of WQXR’s website. The podcast will be posted later on the station’s website. I will, of course, give you the link, once it’s up.
At least my museum admissions are covered by my press pass!