If you are:

A. A State College resident

B. Under 21 years of age

C. Not into paying cover charges

D. Not living under a cultural rock and enjoy live music from time to time

Then have no fear, Hot Topic is here to provide you with your acoustic fill of free performances from local and big label artists. Just a simple car or bus ride down to the Nittany Mall can provide you with early evening entertainment that will end early enough for you to study afterward.

These Hot Topic sponsored concerts include past performances from national band Sing it Loud, as well as multiple local artists. Events to look forward to in the future can be found here, and will even include a release party for the Twilight DVD on March 21.

I just recently experienced my first acoustic set in the store, and I was blown away by how the intimate setting enhanced the one-man-with-a-guitar performance by local artist, Joel Dobbins. To experience it for yourself, you can check out the video taken at the performance under the multimedia of the Collegian Web site, or you could head out the mall for the next acoustic set.

-- Beth Ann