Levitt Pavilion
Los Angeles, CA

The Skinny: This summer, I went for the first time to see a live concert at Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park. It was a free performance by one of Colombia’s hottest bands, Bomba Estéreo. What a cool show and even cooler venue! The Pavilion is set amid the trees and grassy slopes of the park, and the vibe is so casual that you can dance right up against the stage. It’s amazing they are able to offer performances by world-class musicians at absolutely no cost to attendees – their high-quality programming has been attracting a lot of praise this summer. Levitt Pavilion is definitely a Los Angeles treasure for live performance–too bad I have to wait until next summer to enjoy it again!

–Rachel L.

The Black Cat
Washington, DC; Price Varies

The Skinny: With three bars and two stages inside, The Black Cat, located near U Street, is the perfect place to catch a favorite band playing. A little on the dark and divey side before the concerts begin, the bar actually has some good drink deals and, conveniently, there is Food For Thought Cafe inside. The atmosphere can change a lot at this place with the crowd, depending on who is playing that night. With that said, it is generally always a good time at The Black Cat. They book some really great concerts and have more of an intimate concert vibe than most DC venues. As a note, the bar only accepts cash, so come prepared, or be willing to spend ATM fees at the on-site machine.

–Shanen

Abu Dhabi
The Skinny: Formerly known as Yas Arena, this outdoor music venue sits between Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World amusement park and the Formula 1 race track. If the weather is right, which it usually is from October to May, its an ideal spot to catch a concert. During the Formula 1 race each fall (generally held in early November), international stars hit the stage. Past performers have included Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Paul McCartney, among others.  This year, Kylie Minogue, Nickelback and Eminem are scheduled to play over the race weekend. And beyond Formula 1, acts have included Shakira, Aerosmith, and Madonna (my trip to that concert pictured here) to name just a few. A great spot to spend an evening!

–Jenn

– Emily

Photo Credit: joeshlabotnik

The Skinny: When it opened last winter, my friends and I were some of the first to check out Levity Comedy Club. It’s a fun switch-up from our usual weekend outings and with snacks and drinks from the bar, it’s the perfect launching pad for a night downtown. There are usually a few different acts, with time to order another beer in between. The club is intimate and casual, which is great for audience participation. On Friday and Saturday they host a comedy showcase (book tickets early,) but there is also cheap (or free) entertainment the rest of the week, like open mic music on Tuesday and movie night on Wednesdays. The growing comedy community, cheap tickets, and good laughs make it an fun way to start out Saturday night.

–Rachel S.