10 greats gigs, 10 great prices: The best in Cleveland entertainment on the cheap

by Brian Anthony Hernandez

Friday August 15, 2008, 12:00 AM

If everyone who sold tickets to concerts, theater shows and comedy acts operated like Mark Leddy, you wouldn't have to worry about extra fees and charges bumping up the admission price. "That drives people crazy and discourages them to go," said Leddy, owner of Beachland Ballroom and Tavern in Cleveland, who doesn't add building facility fees or service charges. "Our philosophy is to get tickets in our customers hands as cheaply as possible."

But every venue in Northeast Ohio doesn't do what he does, which can send already expensive ticket prices soaring.

Don't fret. We've located where to buy the cheapest tickets for 10 upcoming performances at a variety of venues, and have some advice on how to do this on your own for any show.

Oh, and a fun fact: If you bought a cheap ticket to each of these shows listed you'd pay $257.25. But if you purchased them on the next price tier, you'd spend roughly an additional $60, or more than $6 for each show.

Now imagine what you could do with that extra money.

THE SILVER JEWS
Who: This indie rock group from New Jersey formed in 1989 and has released six full-length albums, including "Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea" this year.

When and where: Friday, Aug. 29, 9 p.m., Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland.

Cheapest ticket: $12

Where: At the venue before the day of the show; day-of-show tickets are $14 each

Next best thing: $14.50 (includes service fee); visit TicketWeb.com and choose the option to have your ticket ready for pickup at Beachland Ballroom

AMERICAN IDOLS LIVE
Who: The top ten finishers from season seven of "American Idol," including the winner, rocker David Cook, and runner-up, teen crooner David Archuleta.

When and where: Thursday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m., Cleveland State University Wolstein Center

Cheapest ticket: $39.50 for upper level seating; $54.50 for lower level seating; $68.50 for main floor (prices include $2 building facility fee)

Where: Box office

Next best thing: www.Ticketmaster.com, (216) 241-5555; take the prices above and tack on about $10 as a convenience charge

JOURNEY
Who: Power ballads "Don't Stop Believin," "Any Way You Want It," "Faithfully," Separate Ways" and "Open Arms" catapulted this band to superstardom in the 1980s.

When and where: Saturday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m., Blossom Music Center, 1145 West Steels St., Cuyahoga Falls

Cheapest ticket: $18.75 for lawn seats when you order a four-pack of tickets; $25 for singles (no extra fees)

Where: Box office

Next best thing: $39.50, $59.50, $85 and $125 throughout the venue plus additional charges; purchase at box office

NEKO CASE
Who: Dubbed as an alternative country singer and songwriter, Neko Case gained notoriety as a member of Canadian indie-rock band New Pornographers.

When and where: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 8:30, Beachland Ballroom

Cheapest ticket: $30 (no extra fees)

Where: Box office

Next best thing: $30-$31.50 at these locations: Heights Guitars (2128 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights), Music Saves (15801 Waterloo Road, Cleveland), Square Records (824 West Market Street, Akron), Visible Voice Books (1023 Kenilworth Ave., Cleveland), Ultrasound Records (36495 Vine Street, Willoughby) and several CD GameExchanges.

CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
Who: Franz Welser-Most directs the lauded ensemble in Bruckner's Symphony No. 7.

When and where: Thursday, Sept. 25 - Saturday, Sept. 27, 8 p.m., Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

Cheapest ticket: $25 for general admission with an obstructed view and $31 for upper balcony, only on Sept. 25

Where: At venue, on phone at (216) 231-1111 ext. 1 or on the Web at Clevelandorch.com (no extra fees for any method)

Next best thing: $30 for general admission with an obstructed view and $36 for upper balcony on Sept. 26-27

Note: Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 2

MISS KITTEN
Who: This electronic DJ, vocalist and songwriter is a prominent figure in the electroclash scene.

When and where: Thursday, Sept. 25, 9 p.m., Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights

Cheapest ticket: $15 (no extra fees)

Where: Box office

Next best thing: $16 by calling the club at (216) 321-5588; $15-$16.50 by buying at locations listed in Neko case item above.

JOE SATRIANI
Who: Inspired by the death of Jimi Hendrix, guitar hero "Satch" picked up his first guitar at 14.

When and where: Friday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m., House of Blues, East Fourth Street and Euclid Ave., Cleveland

Cheapest ticket: $37.50 general admission on the main floor

Where: Box office

Next best thing: Hob.com; take the price above and tack on about $7.75 as a convenience charge.

DAVID SEDARIS
Who: This Grammy-nominated comedian and writer has penned many essay collections that have gone on to become New York Times Best Sellers, selling more than 7 million copies.

When and where: Friday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m., Playhouse Square's Palace Theatre

Cheapest ticket: $12 (includes fee) for B section balcony seats

Where: Box office

Next best thing: $29.50 for A section balcony or B section orchestra seats; at box office

THREE BLONDE MOMS
Who: Joanie Fagan, who played Faith on "The Drew Carey Show," Beaumont Bacon and Helen Keaney star in this semi-scripted standup comedy show about being a mom, having a mom and all things associated with motherhood.

When and where: Tuesday, Oct. 7 and Wednesday, Oct. 8, 8 p.m., Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, 2035 East Fourth Street, Cleveland

Cheapest ticket: $18 for booth and table seats

Where: On the phone at 216-736-4242

Next best thing: Still $18 at TicketFusion.com (877) 548-3237; search "3 Blonde Moms"

COLDPLAY
Who: This rock band from London exploded in the U.S. and across the world in 2000 with their first single "Yellow" followed by their debut album "Parachutes." Currently touring in support of their chart-topping fourth CD, "Viva La Vida" released in June.

When and where: Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m., The Q

Cheapest ticket: $49.50 to $89.50 for various sections (prices include $2 building facility fee)

Where: Box office

Next best thing: Ticketmaster.com; take the prices above and tack on about $10 as a convenience charge

TIPS FROM MARKETING DIRECTORS

Go to the venue's box office. In most cases, this will be your best bet to find a cheap ticket. You'll avoid additional fees Web sites or ticket brokers tack on, but probably still have to pay a facility fee. Make sure to call first to see when the box office is open; some venues only open the day of shows.

Ask about family packs or group sales. This is a good way to slice a few bucks off your ticket price.

Flip through your phone book to look for ticket brokers. Most of the time, they'll charge more than would a box office, but they're ideal for sold-out shows.

Look for scalpers across the street from the venue on performance day.

Surf the Web for sites that sell tickets - sometimes at cheaper prices, but usually with hefty convenience fees. Popular services include

StubHub.com

TicketFusion.com

TicketWeb.com

CheapTickets.com

VividSeats.com.

These are in addition to the official sites of most venues, Ticketmaster.com or Tickets.com.