"Free" is always a welcome word when it comes to entertainment. Even more so in 2009.

While some major concert venues are offering special deals and slashing prices, many folks are choosing to ignore even those enticements and settle instead for an evening under the stars listening to a talented but largely unknown band, or eschewing a ticketed attraction in a major casino and opting for a free dance party in a smaller one.

The Reno-Tahoe area has always had its share of free summer concerts outdoors and indoors, many connected to its popular street festivals, but the need for tourism upticks has led to many more this year.

Let's start with Bluesdays! This is a new series every Tuesday at the Village at Squaw Valley. Blues acts will perform on a stage in the middle of the picturesque village at the base of the mountain.

The series kicks off this week with R&B master Curtis Salgado. Robin Rogers, the 2009 Blues Music Awards nominee for female artist of the year, plays July 14, followed by Rick Estrin and the Nightcats on July 21. The popular Shane Dwight Band plays July 28, Janiva Magness on Aug. 4, Tinsley Ellis on Aug. 11, Chris Cain Aug. 18, and in the series closer, a surprise performer will bring the festival, according to the Village, to "a spectacular grand finale."

Tahoe City is presenting a series of free concerts on its Commons Beach on Sundays all summer. The standard but fully satisfying musical menu is what is expected – some rock, some reggae, some blues. Knights of Monte Carlo play this Sunday, followed by Guitar Shorty on July 19, the Iguanas on July 26, Mumbo Gumbo on Aug. 2, the Blasters on Aug. 9, the Trey Stone Band on Aug. 16, Les Dudek on Aug. 23, Papa Grows Funk on Aug. 30, and Marsha Ball with the Blues Monsters on Sept. 6. The concerts are at 4:30 p.m. except for the last show, which is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.

The Kings Beach State Recreation Area takes Thursdays as its summer days with concerts at 6:30 p.m., this week featuring Jelly Bread. Momentum plays July 16, Loose Cannon on July 23, Downbeat on July 30, Drinking With Clowns on Aug. 6, and Izabella on Aug. 13.

Reno's Wingfield Park becomes a very popular destination every Friday in July with Rollin' on the River concerts at 5:30 p.m. followed by free movies in the park. Drinking With Clowns shows up this Friday with Los Pinguos. Lisa McCuiston and Krissi Moses play July 17; Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys join Trainwrecks on July 24; and Jo Mama performs with Michelle Lundeen on July 31.

The Eldorado's Brew Brothers is serving up a free Summer Jam Concert Series every Sunday night with the Pimps of Joytime tonight, San Francisco's BLVD on July 12, New Monsoon on July 19, Olin and the Moon on July 26, plus more bands in August.

Not to be left out is the Crystal Bay Casino on the North Shore of Tahoe, lately referred to as the little club that can. It offers more entertainment in any given week than any other much bigger hotel-casino and it books a wide variety of blues, rock, bluegrass, and anything and everything that can be called eclectic.

Some concerts have charges but most don't, and those that are free and stand out this summer include: The Lee Boys at 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; Big Sam's Funky Nation at 10 p.m. Wednesday; "Flamenco Master" David Maldonado at 9 p.m. Thursday; the Tony Furtado Band at 10 p.m. Saturday; and the Mermen at 9 p.m. July 13-14.

This week Reno's Artown provides more free opportunities than any person can take advantage of, including:

"Patriotic Music: A Family Affair," this afternoon's concert by the Masterworks Chorale at 4 p.m. in Wingfield Park; the gigantic Hudson Vagabond Puppets in "Ferdinand the Bull" at 7 p.m. Monday in Wingfield Park; Sweet Vibrations: Toccata Chorus and Orchestra celebrating American composers Tuesday at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in downtown Reno (donation); and Open Five dance ensemble at 8 p.m. Thursday at Wingfield Park;.

Saturday features the Day of Visual Artown, an array of exhibitions and sales throughout the city, including the premiere of the Downtown Reno Comic and Sci-Fi Arts Festival at Amendment 21 Bar and Restaurant (425 South Virginia St.) with comic art, sci-fi videos, costumes, and other exhibitions.

IF YOU GO

The Bluesdays! players are no lightweight entertainers and the Village knows it. Blues fans will be enticed and special offers sweeten the deal.

There's a $10 discount on the Cable Car Ride-Skate-Swim ticket at High Camp; a chaperoned Kids' Club for $10 a child, giving the parents a chance to have a date night at the concert; and a condominium one-night one-bedroom rental with a view (when available) of the stage and a CD of the artist playing that night for $99. (thevillageatsquaw.com or 877-297-2140)

The Eldorado's Brew Brothers offers the Summer Jams concert series but is also a very popular downtown eating location, its pub fare perfectly in sync with its huge brass brewing vats. It has what could be the best fish 'n' and chips in town, as well as a wide assortment of burgers, pizzas, and salads.

A full schedule of Artown events is at renoisartown.com.