So, true, it’s pretty hard to compete with the musical beast that is the Outside Lands Festival this weekend if you’re trying to put on a show of your own. But coughing up close to $100 for one night of entertainment in Golden Gate might not be worth it for everyone anyways. Good thing that there are plenty of other events this weekend that are most certainly in motion for the penny-pinchers like me.

For one, the first annual Downtown Berkeley Music Fest is going on tonight thru Sunday. The Freight and Salvage Coffee House is putting on the 3-day local music scene extravaganza. And a bunch of local venues will be hosting acts. Costs of the outdoor festival varies — from free admission to $20 and up per ticket, depending on the venue and the show. Check out the Berkeley festival’s website for full details.

And, of course, BOTB members and site users are setting up and getting down tonight with performances of their own around town. Strange Brew plays Antioch’s Schronner’s Grille and Brewery, The Billy Martini Show hits The Catalyst in Santa Cruz and the Gin Blossoms headline at the Santa Cruz Beach Bordwalk, all for free. Also on this lovely night, Matchless Overthrow plays at Colorblind Studios in Concord for $10 a ticket and Richie Barron and The Mob play at Orinda’s The Oinda House for an $8 cover.

So all is not lost if you can’t make it out to the park or if you’re just not that into indie music, there is still plenty going on for concert lovers this weekend.