Awe hun im so sorry that truly does suck i have been there. Could you explain this to your friend, maybe there is something else you guys could do.

I know in the past when my friends have been short i have paid for them and they have returned the favour when the shoe was on the other foot x

My husband is embarrassed about the situation we are in and has asked me not to tell anyone about our financial situation. Another one of my old high school friends is likely going to be there as well as it is his favorite band.

I told her that I would do my best to make it out, but that it was rather last minute, and if I can't make it tonight we should make future plans.

aw damn, I've been there too! ...and lost friends over it.

Not having money to go out and do fun stuff is very hard, and disheartening....

Those true friends who understand will make an effort to either pay for you if they ask you, or be willing to do things that are cheap and / or free.

I am sorry you are feeling this, wishing some peace for you. It doesn't make you a bad person, or unworthy of friends.
{{{{hugs}}}}

It is hard when you don't have enough money. Like LadyDi said, you could always explain you are short of funds and see if your friend offers to pay the cover charge and you can make it up another time when you are in a better position.

I havent seen this friend in nearly 15 years, so I am not going to ask her to pay. She is often in my neighborhood and I have told her that she is welcome to come over and that perhaps we can make plans in the future.
Hopefully she will message me in the future. It's just that being asked to do anything with a friend is extremely rare for me.
I'm also kinda nervous of going in the first place because my other friend who may be there kinda blew me off when I saw him perform around 2 years ago. He talked to all of his other friends but kept his distance with me.

This friend isn't a close friend, you don't have to go through a long, complicated answer. Just say funds are tight, so you regret it, but your are going to have to say no, but could they get together next week at your house for coffee and cookies?

There is a cafe around the corner, so hopefully we can hook up there some time in the future.

That's a tough one, sorry.

Yeah, hook up when you can.

How much is the ticket?

Is there something you can cut out for a week or two to make up the cost of it?

That is so discouraging...Hopefully you can see your friends in a venue that is not cash dependent...maybe have a potluck supper at your house..invite a few friends, and ask everyone to bring something...nothing gets people together like food and music...you are a musician, right? Make a night of it!

YES!

Just talked to hubby and...WE CAN AFFORD IT!
WOOH!

Maybe if all of your friends understood your predicament, they would all chip in and help pay for the ticket. Is that a possibility?