As you probably know by now, Prince—the man, the legend, the symbol—is scheduled to play four shows over two nights at Showbox at the Market in April. But since he's scaling down to play clubs instead of arenas, the tour is charging $250+ a ticket. (For $250, Prince better do our taxes while he's at it.)

We started wondering...how many shows could we see for $250?

Consider the possibilities:

The Local Showcase
Apr 4 at 7:30 My Goodness @ the Triple Door. Local gents Joel Schneider and Andy Lum give the oft-tired notion of blues-rock a kick in the britches. Ticket price: $15. Add on: Wild Ginger dinner and drinks at the Triple Door for, say, $30.

Apr 5 at 9 Seattle Rock Orchestra Presents Chamber Rock @ Columbia City Theater. The city's coolest orchestra invites buzzy local bands—members of Kithkin, Pollens, and Impossible Bird join—to play an intimate chamber-music show that rocks. Ticket price: $12–$15.
See it again on the 6th! Members of Tea Cozies and the Lonely Forest join. $15.

Apr 7 at 8 Kathleen Edwards, John Roderick, and David Bazan @ Showbox at the Market. Three badass singer-songwriters and overall wits share a stage. Ticket price: $25–$30.

Apr 9 at 7:30 Ann and Nancy Wilson @ Benaroya Hall. To celebrate Heart's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 18, the Wilson sisters put on an acoustic concert for hometown fans (and chat with Charles Cross). Ticket price = $50–$70 (only a few tickets remain, partial view).

Maximum possible total = $175 for five concerts.
Leftover beer budget = $75.

The Out-of-Towners
Apr 5 at 7:30 Steep Canyon Rangers @ The Triple Door. Now that they've finally shed the dead weight of banjo player Steve Martin (joke!), the award-winning bluegrass band takes center stage. Ticket price: $25–$30. Add on: Wild Ginger dinner and drinks at the Triple Door for, say, $30.

Apr 5 at 8 Jeff Bridges and the Abiders @ Moore Theatre. The Dude goes country. You see Bridges and send your parents to Steep Canyon Rangers. Ticket prices: $37, $47, $65.

Apr 6 at 9 OMD @ Showbox at the Market. British new wavers OMD pioneered synthpop and continue to turn out new music, including a brand-new album this month. Ticket price: $38.

Apr 7 at 8 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds @ Paramount Theatre. Very sold out. Soothe your anger with Cave's new album Push the Sky Away. Cost: $10 on amazon.com.

Maximum possible total = $173 for three concerts and an album.
Leftover beer budget = $77.