Let's go to the symphony, dahling

Going to the Symphony is my favorite date night ever. Getting dressed up and sitting in Jones Hall and soaking in the glorious music? I could go every weekend. [So you don't get the mistaken impression that I am terribly high brow and sophisticated, let me also add that I love gawking at the fancy ladies with Texas hair, important jewelry, and pink evening gowns or whatever. For Mark's part, he loves waiting for the guy whose role is to bang the giant gong.]

A few years ago for our anniversary I splurged for good seats when the HSO was performing Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade and it was incredible. My favorite live music experience by far, and I've seen Renee Fleming in La Traviata AND *Nsync. So... yeah.

#1 girl on a budget suggestion : Minimize the cost of tickets by joining Wavelength, the HSO's club for the 18-29 set. For a limited number of performances during the season, tickets are $8 bucks.

#2 girl on a budget suggestion: Take advantage of the HSO's summer performances, where they perform at Miller Outdoor Theater in nearby Hermann Park. The downside is the sticky Houston heat but the fun part is that you can spread out a blanket on the huge lawn and enjoy a picnic under the stars. Summer schedule here.

#3 girl on a budget suggestion: Screw the budget! When Yo-Yo Ma or Yitzhak Rabin PEARLMAN are in town, you better believe those seats are not free. I'll be saving my pennies.

[I realized I wrote Rabin instead of Pearlman last night and laughed hysterically at myself. But let's be honest: if Yitzhak Rabin came to town to play violin, it would also be sold out.]