FREE SUMMER FUN IN MY HOOD

When I was home with the kiddos and we were living on one income I would post lists on the fridge of free things to do. Walk the mall and get a See's candy sample, Deer Hollow Farm, Rancho San Antonio, Happy Hollow Free Days, Museum free days, puddle jumping after a rainstorm, etc... This was in an effort to not feel so trapped on the top of the mountain with the little people who needed me for EVERYTHING.

Now days I don't have the list on the fridge, but am still inclined to seek out free entertainment. Makes me feel innovative and financially responsible and smart.

In my neighborhood there are dozens of parks, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, beaches a stone's throw away and stacks of books to read, but some times I want to get out and feel a little "culture" without breaking the bank.

Below is a short list of free fun for the Silicon Valley set (some for kids, some not!):

Outdoor movies Wednesday Nights
Movies start at dusk and you will need to get there early!
San Pedro Square
July 8 – Caddy Shack (1980/ Rated R / 107 min)
August 12 – Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975/ Rated PG/ 91 min)

Historic District on Post Street between Market and First streets.
July 15 – Casablanca (1942/ NR/ 102 minutes)
August 19 – A Streetcar Named Desire (1951/ NR /122 minutes)

SoFA District at South First and William streets
June 24 – Mad Hot Ballroom (2005/ Rated PG/ 105 minutes)
July 22 – Romeo + Juliet (1996/ Rated PG/ 120 minutes)
August 26 – Shaun of the Dead (2004/ Rated R/ 99 minutes)

Symphony Silicon Valley music festival on the mall at the 4th and San Carlos at San Jose State University
August 25 (5:00 PM) Cleo Lane and ensemble sings jazz standards
August 27 (5:00 PM) To Be Announced
August 29 (7:00 PM) Classical Mystery Tour with Symphony Silicon Valley presenting The Beatles
August 30 (3:00 PM) Brass Band Concert in the Park with Tony Clements and Symphony Silicon Valley

San Jose Downtown Music in the Park 2009
June 18: Third Eye Blind
June 25: Pete Escovedo
July 2: The Tubes
July 9: Eek-A-Mouse
July 16 Pato Banton
July 23: Matt Nathanson
July 30: Colin Hay of Men at Work
August 6: Anthony David
August 13: Better Than Ezra
August 20: Sonny Landreth
August 27: White Album Ensemble

Stern Grove isn't exactly in my hood, but is very cool, 100% free and is kid oriented culture in San Francisco.
June 21: ROBERTA FLACK / Davell Crawford
June 28: LES NUBIANS / Rupa and the April Fishes
July 5: SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY / Inouye Jazz
July 12: JOAN BAEZ / Blame Sally
July 19: SERGENT GARCIA / Curumin
July 26: THE LYRICS BORN RE-VIEW, THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS, AND MORE
August 2: KAILASH KHER’S KAILASA / Delhi 2 Dublin
August 9: TOTÓ LA MOMPOSINA / Nation Beat
August 16: SAN FRANCISCO BALLET / Helgi Tomasson, Artistic Director
August 23: SAN FRANCISCO OPER

AMC Theater's free children's summer movie series has some funny rules about picking up the tickets beforehand, but is worth the effort for staying cool and having fun.
June 24 Kung Fu Panda
July 1 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
July 8 Tale of Despereaux
July 15 Horton Hears a Who
July 22 The Spiderwick Chronicles
July 29 Nim's Island
August 5 Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Have fun! Don't let the dreary economy stop you!