LEISURE, LIFESTYLE, LAUGHS

Find a Concert Near You

For info about musicians touring your area, there's no better tool than the concert search engine at Pollstar. You can search by artist, city, or venue to find dates for concerts (rock, pop, jazz, blues, and more) around the world. Listings are updated daily with color-coding to indicate newly added or changed appearances.

Track New CD Releases

Every Tuesday, record companies bring new music CDs to the market--often with little fanfare for artists who don't merit a publicity campaign. Ice Magazine provides an extensive list of CD release dates each month for performers of all genres, from Busta Rhymes to Michael Bolton.

Stay on Top of DVD Releases

If you're looking for information on when new DVDs will be available at your local store, The Digital Bits keeps track of those dates in its Upcoming Cover Art section. The site also posts news about upcoming DVDs, reviews new discs, and answers frequently asked questions about the DVD format.

Get Movie Listings on Your PDA

Moviefone lets you check show times and purchase advance tickets on your PC. But it's also great for getting such services through your Web-capable Palm VII (or Palm V with an OmniSky wireless modem installed) or through certain Net-enabled phones. Search movies by title or location, read reviews, get driving directions to the theater, or buy tickets--all while you're on the go.

Download Free Music

Don't let the demise of Napster get you down; you can still obtain cost-free and copyright-free tunes through your PC. Audiogalaxy's Satellite is one of the best file-sharing programs for getting legal music--it accesses more than 800,000 music files and offers several download settings. Note: The free version of this program contains the Gator adware plug-in.

Find Out What's on TV

There is never a TV program guide around when you need one. Well now with TVguide.com you can get program listings easily through your PC. Just type in a zip code and your method of TV service (cable, satellite dish, or broadcast antenna), and you'll get listings of programs showing in your area. And when you come back, the site remembers your choices.

Locate Ski Runs

Hankering to ski this year but don't know where to find the best runs? SkiMaps.com offers trail maps for resorts around the world, plus information about lift-ticket prices and accommodations. It includes maps for snow regions in countries such as the United States, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, and even Australia. How about a Down Under winter wonderland in July?

Reserve a Campsite

Arrange a cross-country camping trip by using www.reserveamerica.com to reserve tent grounds or a cabin in any of more than 100,000 campsites across the U.S. At this site you can also apply for canoeing permits, as well as hunting and fishing licenses, and the site includes a handy camping checklist and trail maps to help you plan activities once you arrive.

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