The second year of an extended weeklong Thanksgiving break from class yields exorbitant potential.
An entire week of family bonding can be grueling for even those in prime mental health, which is why it might be worthwhile to buy tickets for any of the major concerts in these neighboring East Coast cities. The State Theatre, the Bryce Jordan Center and other State College venues can only reel in so much of the country's finest music entertainment.
AC/DC's performance Friday night at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, sold out instantly, so best act quick while helpings last.
Pittsburgh
Friday, Nov. 21
The Eagles (Mellon Arena)
When an environmentalist like Don Henley ditches his major record label for Wal-Mart, something must be up. Regardless, spend three hours here instead of Wal-Mart.
Saturday, Nov. 22
The Derek Trucks Band with special guest Arizona (Mr. Small's Theatre)
In case you missed the humble craftsman's soulful guitar riffs at the State Theatre.
Tuesday, Nov. 25
Plain White T's (Diesel Club Lounge)
Make a bet with your friend on whether "Hey There Delilah" will be the encore or the song before the encore.
New York
Friday, Nov. 21
Bob Dylan (The United Palace Theatre)
If you can decipher the lyrics to "Cat's in the Well," then it's been a worthwhile trip.
Brian Wilson (Hammerstein Ballroom)
We can only hope he'll play facing the audience this time.
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman with Boots Riley (The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza)
The former guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave returns to alter ego mode to perform music from his sophomore solo album. Someone should tell him he is not living in a graphic novel.
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21 to 22
Jack's Mannequin with Treaty of Paris (Blender Theatre at Gramercy)
Everyone enjoys a good mid-tempo piano rock song.
Saturday, Nov. 29
State Radio (Terminal 5)
Former Dispatch member Chad Urmston's Boston-based band State Radio continues its "Take the Country Back Tour," preaching love for civil rights and roots reggae.
Philadelphia
Monday, Nov. 21
Miller Lite Presents Shwayze with Krista (Theatre of Living Arts)
Attend this show if you want to help finance another one of Shwayze's wild parties held behind closed doors.
Wednesday, Nov. 23
Ingrid Michaelson with Newton Faulkner and David Ford (Theatre of the Living Arts)
The NYC indie-pop singer performs with two Brit folkies.
Tuesday, Nov. 25
The Eagles (Wachovia Center)
Saturday, Nov. 29
Method Man and Redman (The Trocadero)
Reunited and it feels so hood.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Wachovia Center)
A reminder that almost all winter holidays can be improved with sounds of sweeping symphonic metal.
Atlantic City, N.J.
Saturday, Nov. 22
Madonna Sticky and Sweet Tour (Boardwalk Hall)
Madonna has succeeded in making her tour name slightly more disturbing than Jim Gaffigan's Sexy Tour.
Steely Dan (Borgata Event Center)
Jazz and rock converge contemporaneously via two men who aren't named Dan.
Friday, Nov. 28
Lynyrd Skynyrd (Borgata Event Center)
Under no other circumstances should you shout "Freebird" at a concert.
Washington, D.C.
Friday, Nov. 21
Subtle (Rock and Roll Hotel)
This Oakland sextet dabbles in electronic indie rock and abstract hip-hop. Its name does not do it justice.
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Method Man and Redman (9:30 Club)
Friday, Nov. 28
They Might Be Giants (9:30 Club)
They might be performing their platinum 1990 release Flood in its entirety.
