Shows by big touring acts or professional orchestras in the downtown theaters are wonderful experiences, but can be tough to attend if you’re on a budget.
Nothing beats free concerts – which is what you get more than half the time at local churches and colleges. No, you don’t have to be a parishioner or student – you just have to be in the know. You get great musicians and vocalists performing everything from classical to jazz, and the acoustics are terrific. Often, there’s a donation called for, so give if you can.
Get yourself on a college listserv to find out about upcoming concerts, free or not: To get University of Puget Sound event information, email events@pugetsound.edu. Other venues include Pacific Lutheran University (plu.edu) and Tacoma Community College (tacomacc.edu).
Christ Episcopal Church offers regular organ concerts; Immanuel Presbyterian hosts a Blues Vespers every month; Marine View Church in Northeast Tacoma offers monthly jazz; and other downtown churches such as Urban Grace and First Lutheran have many concerts.
Here are free concerts coming up:
Organ Recital with Professor Carole Terry: 12:10-12:50 p.m. today. Christ Episcopal Church, 310 N. K St., Tacoma. Voluntary donation. 253-383-1569, ccptacoma.org
UPS Symphony Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. tonight at UPS’s Schneebeck Concert Hall, North 14th Street and Union Avenue, Tacoma. 253-879-3555, pugetsound.edu/calendars
Blues Vespers with Rod Cook & Toast and guest Jay Mabin: 5 p.m. Nov. 20. Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 901 N. J St., Tacoma. 253-627-8371, ipctacoma.org
UPS String Chamber Concert: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Schneebeck Concert Hall
Rosemary Ponnekanti: 253-597-8568 rosemary.ponnekanti@thenewstribune.com
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