This Weekend: I. Am. Out.

Don’t get me wrong; I am thrilled to be going on vacation. About two hours from now (one hour, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, one hour 59 minutes and 58 seconds...), I’ll be sprinting out of here to head to a beautiful house that backs onto Seneca Lake near Watkins Glen New York. It will be super-relaxing, and while I love my job, it’s always good to get away (some of you might say that this is barely a job, I say shut up).

Still, I didn’t pick the best week to skip out. Being away, I will miss a lot of things that I would have otherwise wanted to do, like: see the Dave Matthews Band for the umpteenth time in Hershey, see Bayside (one of my favorite bands) open for the Alkaline Trio at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster and check out the Gettysburg Festival.

I’m missing a bunch of stuff this weekend too, most notably Harrisburg BrewersFest. Bummer. It’s really everything I look for in a community event, and I’m kind of bitter about missing it. Let’s move on.

On Friday night, you’ve got the Senators at home on City Island. Also, if you are into southern/rootsy/folksy/bluegrassy music, there is absolutely no excuse to stay home. Appalachian Brewing Company’s got the Hackensaw Boys and Waitin’ on a Train, the Whitaker Center has Slaid Cleaves, and Suba Tapas Bar has Rebecca Marie, Natalie McKee & Eli Charleston.

Saturday, Bruce Springsteen tickets go on sale for his August 19 concert in Hershey. Get that mouse finger ready to hit refresh 813 times, and line up some choice curse words for Ticketmaster. If you are into stars of a different kind, Harrisburg High graduate and New Orleans Saints wideout Marques Colston will be signing autographs at Dick’s Sporting Goods. There’s also BrewersFest (grrrrrrr…).

Sunday morning, take your kids to see a presentation of High School Musical at the Gettysburg Festival. Or, if you are into that kind of thing, I guess you could go without kids, but, um, please don’t read this blog anymore (merely a joke guys, merely a joke). More theater: Mama Mia also ends its run at the Hershey Theater with matinee and evening shows.

Well, that’s about it for me, I won’t be in the area this week, but you’re not getting rid of me that easily. Look for me on Twitter and make sure you check out my Q&A with Café Fresco owner Nick Laus. It will be posted Wednesday. Have fun, kids.