Dates on a Dime (Part 2)

Three weekly budget date ideas in the city

Dinner and a movie are standard in the dating game. It can get old quickly, not to mention it doesn’t come cheap. That’s why each week, we offer creative date ideas on a budget, so you can keep it fresh and save a few dollars along the way.

Canadian Stage Pay-What-You-Can Mondays

This not-for-profit production company features shows at three locations in the city: High Park Amphitheatre, Berkeley Street Theatre and Bluma Appel Theatre. They just wrapped up the Tony Award-winning play Red in December, and from January 21 to February 18 will run Cruel and Tender from famed Canadian director Atom Egoyan (Chloe, The Sweet Hereafter). The British play tells the story of a woman whose husband returns from war and has become disturbingly different. While ticket prices vary on other days, Mondays are pay-what-you-can.

Price: Pay what you can

The Opera House

The Opera House at Queen and Broadview is a great place to check out your favourite bands in an intimate show before they blow up and sell out the ACC. It’s also a chance to introduce the guy or girl you’re dating to some of the music you’re into. Coming up this winter, they’ve got The Jim Cuddy Band, The Head and the Heart, Nada Surf and a Canadian Pink Floyd tribute band. Although prices are still in the double digits, it’s a fairly safe bet on some good music and is a great save next to the big venues.

Price: Varies, often roughly $20

Toronto Poetry Slam

This monthly poetry competition takes place at the Drake Hotel Underground, near Queen and Dufferin. A guest poet from outside the city hosts the show as 12 poets compete for a spot in the semifinals. Even if you’re not a poet yourself, it’s a unique date, perfect for the literary minded to listen to some local poetry. Better yet, if you are a poet, it could be a chance to impress that special someone with your rhymes.

Price: $5