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Entertainment and Leisure

Entertainment

Entertainment refers to the event or performance that engenders amusement, fun and enjoyment to the audience. By its nature, there has to be a performer and an audience for whose benefit the show is performed. Entertainment can be active or it can be passive. Active entertainment requires the recipient of entertainment to actively participate in the activity. Thus, computer gaming is active entertainment. Passive entertainment, on the other hand, requires no form of active participation. A performer or a group of performers will contrive to amuse and entertain the audience, which can be comprised of just one person or more.

There are different forms of entertainment. Plays and musicals provide entertainment as do operas which are merely dramatic plays set to music. Ballet and other forms of dance also bring entertainment. Street performers entertain passersby. Concerts and sports shows bring entertainment. And more commonly, entertainment can be had from TV shows and movies.

Entertainment is distinct from recreation. Recreation is defined as any activity that brings enjoyment and relaxation to a person. However, recreation includes activities that bring enjoyment without active effort from performers. Recreation encompasses reading, going to art museums and galleries, dining and all such activities. But recreation does not necessitate shows or performances which are necessary prerequisites of entertainment. Recreation is thus much broader than entertainment. Not all recreational activities are entertainment but all entertainment activities can be considered recreational.

Leisure

Leisure is a word that originates from the Latin licere which is the state of being free. Leisure therefore means freedom from work or necessary activities. Leisure is the time which one is not compelled to allot to work-related activities. Leisure can also be the time when one is not consumed with thought of problems and concerns. It is a time to relax and enjoy activities that bring joy, pleasure and fun.

Leisure has different meanings determined by the culture of the person defining it. Some cultures define staying at home as ungainful employment or having leisure time even if domestic activities preclude engaging in noncompulsory activities. Leisure can also be viewed as having money to finance leisurely activities.

Leisure can be passive or active depending on the required effort. Walking, hiking, climbing and other sports-related activities require much energy and are thus viewed as active leisure. Sleeping, reading, gambling, watching a movie do not require much effort and are thus classified as passive leisure.

Leisure and Entertainment

Entertainment and leisure are related. Entertainment requires a person's time and energy. Watching the opera requires that one go to the theater, buy tickets and sit the show out. Going to a stand up comedy also requires time to go to the club where the comedian is entertaining and time to wait the show out. Thus, to engage in any form of entertainment, one has to have leisure time to spend.

Entertainment and leisure can also be viewed as synonymous to each other when both are defined as activities or diversions that relax and bring one pleasure.