People are buying fewer things and seeking more experiences. They’re hanging out with friends and family and getting involved in more cultural activities. Museum attendance is up after a long decline. So is movie attendance.

These results of a recent New York Times/CBS news poll made me wonder: Where can families go to hear live music, specifically jazz?

I asked Doug Haining, jazz musician, leader of the Twin Cities Seven, parent and co-leader of the Edina High School Jazz Ensemble I. He in turn asked two of his friends, former music educator Denny Malmberg and vocalist Charmin Michelle, when they gathered on Wednesday to perform at Fireside Pizza in Richfield.

(Which may be the ultimate family-friendly jazz venue. Pizza, spaghetti with meatballs, a kids’ menu, and live music twice a week — good live music by pros.)

Following is their list of recommendations and ideas. Some are free, some will cost you a meal, some are ticketed concerts (look for special ticket prices for students). But even if you pay for tickets, Haining points out, “everything on this list is probably quite a bit less expensive than taking the family to a ball game or other sporting event.”

• Concert series at arts centers. Check the Hopkins Center for the Arts, Bloomington Center for the Arts  and Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Some concerts happen on Sunday afternoons.

• Live music at restaurants and cafés. Like Hell’s Kitchen and the Loring Pasta Bar. Casper Runyon’s Shamrock and the Nook in St. Paul features the Mouldy Figs Dixieland band every other Sunday from 6-9 p.m. Many restaurants have Sunday jazz brunches: the new Crave in St. Louis Park, Kozlak’s Royal Oak in Shoreview.

• Summer events. The season is a jackpot of family-friendly jazz, all free. Hopkins has a concert series in the downtown parks. Both the Minneapolis and St. Paul park boards sponsor concerts at Lake Harriet, Minnehaha Falls Park, Como Park Pavilion, and other places. Orchestra Hall gives us music, including jazz, on Peavey Plaza. The Twin Cities Jazz Festival (now moved to St. Paul) is free.

A few more suggestions off the top of my head: Sunday brunch at Tryg’s on West Lake Street. Concerts at the Capri Theater on West Broadway. Owned and operated by the Plymouth Christian Youth Center, the Capri has a strong commitment to serving its community, and its musical events are all about history, excellence, and pride. Take the kids and be inspired.

The JazzMN Big Band always puts on a great show; save on student tickets, even more on student rush tickets at the door. Watch for jazz at churches, like St. Barnabas’ Jazz@StBarney’s series or Soul Café at Hennepin Avenue Church. Check area high schools and colleges including the University of Minnesota, which offer free jazz concerts to showcase their students. Haining’s Edina High School jazz ensemble gave a concert shortly before Christmas. I heard from friends who went and loved it.

This week’s picks are all family-friendly. Obviously we don’t mean crying babies.

Saturday-Sunday: Sanford Moore: My First Loves. Pianist/composer/arranger/musical director Moore presents the music he loves: jazz, blues, gospel, classical, musical theater. With Greta Oglesby, who just won an Ivey Award for her starring role in “Caroline, or Change” at the Guthrie; Yolanda Bruce, a featured vocalist in Moore by Four; and passionate gospel singer Tonia Hughes. This event sold out last year and is close to selling out now. Saturday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m. ($25); Sunday, Jan. 10, 3 p.m. ($20). The Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis. Tickets 866-811-4111 or online.

Sunday: Jack Brass Band. The high-energy, foot-tapping brass band led by bass drummer Mike Olander just celebrated its tenth anniversary and released its fourth CD, “Fourth Movement.” Get a taste on the band’s MySpace page; sample the new CD at CD Baby.

Sunday, January 10, 4 p.m. Woodlake Lutheran Church, 7525 Oliver Ave. S., Richfield. Free.

Thursday: South High Singer Showcase Concert. Charmin Michelle is the special guest as Scott Carter leads the South High Jazz Ensemble and Pop Singers in classic big-band vocal songs including Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” Thursday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m., South High School,  3131 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis ($5 adults/$3 students).

And don’t forget Fireside Pizza. Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

Pamela Espeland keeps a Twin Cities live jazz calendar, blogs about jazz at Bebopified  and tweets about jazz on Twitter.