Entertainment going for a song

It’s possible to live a large summer of theater, music and dance on a little budget. Sidestep the big-ticket venues and you’ll find flamenco and ?Hamlet,? jazz and modern dance, chamber music and a midsummer night’s revelry on stages in parks, amphitheaters and even old zoos. The price is right: $1 or less.

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CLASSICAL & JAZZ

Sundays Live at LACMA: Weekly one-hour classical chamber music concerts and recitals by soloists and ensembles. This series has been running since 1948. Bing Theater, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 6 p.m. Free. www.sundayslive.org

Chris Botti and Bobby McFerrin with Yellowjackets (July 13): The Grammy-winning trumpeter and his band perform jazz, pop and romantic ballads and the vocalist and friends collaborate for an evening of rhythm and jazz. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Prices start at $1. (323) 850-2000. www.hollywoodbowl.com

Gladys Knight and James Ingram (July 27): The “Empress of Soul,” delivers powerful vocals to R&B; classics and pop standards while smooth singer Ingram presents ballads and more. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Prices start at $1. (323) 850-2000. www.hollywoodbowl.com

Joni’s Jazz (Aug. 17): An all-star ensemble with arrangements by drummer Brian Blade and pianist Jon Cowherd celebrates Joni Mitchell’s jazz-based recordings, including a performance of her 1975 album “The Hissing of Summer Lawns.” Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Prices start at $1. (323) 850-2000. www.hollywoodbowl.com

The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts: Free Summer Concerts Series (July 7-Sept. 4): Thursdays through Sundays enjoy a variety of world, jazz and eclectic music at newly renovated MacArthur Park. Near the intersection of West 6th and South Park View streets across from the Park Plaza Hotel, L.A., 7:00 p.m. (Sunday family concerts, 4 p.m.). Free. (213) 384-5701. www.levittla.org/

Sunset Concerts Series at the Skirball Cultural Center (Thursdays, July 8-Aug. 25): The global festival features eclectic music from Cape Verde, Cuba, Yemen, India and more. Skirball Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd, L.A. 8 p.m. Free. (310) 440-4500. www.skirball.org/

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THEATER

“The Merry Wives of Windsor,” Independent Shakespeare Company, Griffith Park (July 7-31): The bard’s bawdy, battle-of-the-sexes romp amid the splendor of Griffith Park. Old L.A. Zoo, near Griffith Park and Crystal Springs drives. July 7-10, 17, 21-22, 30-31. All performances 7 p.m. Free. (818) 710-6306. www.independentshakespeare.com

“Twelfth Night,” Downtown Repertory Theater Company, Pico House, (July 8-30): The 3-year old company is known for its site-specific productions. 430 N. Main St. (at Olvera Street) in downtown L.A. 7:30 p.m. July 8-10, 22-24 and 29-30. Free; donations accepted. Free. Reserve tickets at www.downtownrep.com

“As You Like It,” Classical Theater Lab, Plummer Park (July 9-31): The City of West Hollywood and Classical Theater Lab present Shakespeare’s pastoral romantic tale. Outdoors in the Great Hall courtyard, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. 6 p.m. July 9-10, 16-17, 30-31. Free. (323) 960-5691. www.classicaltheatrelab.org

“Hamlet” and “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” Independent Shakespeare Company, Griffith Park (July 14-Aug. 28): The company continues its repertory season with the bard’s tragedy and comedy. Old L.A. Zoo, near Griffith Park and Crystal Springs drives, L.A. 7 p.m. “Hamlet”: July 14-16, 23-24, 28-29 and Aug. 14, 21 and 28. “Love’s Labour’s Lost”: Aug. 4-7, 11-13. 18-20 and 25-27. Free. (818) 710-6306. www.independentshakespeare.com

“Much Ado About Nothing” and “King Lear,” Shakespeare by the Sea, variety of locations (Through Aug. 13): There’s still plenty of time to catch performances by the San Petro-based nonprofit. Free. (310) 217-7596. For a complete schedule, including location information, see www.shakespearebythesea.org

“As You Like It, the Musical” (Aug. 6-14): The City of West Hollywood and Classical Theater Lab present Tony Tanner’s musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy. Kings Road Park, 1000 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood. 4 p.m. Aug. 6; 11:30 a.m. Aug. 7; 4 p.m. Aug. 13 and 14. Free. (323) 960-5691. www.classicaltheatrelab.org

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DANCE

California Plaza (July 7-8): Los Angeles’ critically acclaimed modern dance company Diavolo blends wit and spectacle in its highly innovative performances. It’ll be joined by the Colombia-based dancer-actor group Noruz. 300-250 S. Grand Ave. 8 p.m. Free. (213) 687-2190. www.grandperformances.org

J.A.M. sessions, Ford Amphitheatre (July 11, Aug. 1, Aug. 22, Sept. 19): Flamenco, Tango, Salsa and Samoan Tahitian dance. 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. 7 p.m. Free. (323) 461-3673. fordtheatres.org