Weekly Agenda: We love college

This week feels extra celebratory. Maybe it’s the three-day weekend. Maybe it’s the glow (or greasy sheen?) that comes with being in the thick of State Fair season. Or maybe it’s the parents rejoicing over getting the kids out of their hair and back into a classroom. In the case of college freshmen, those parents are probably extra excited about their new guest room. It’s true, kids; you can’t go home again. But chin up—your new home in the Twin Cities has a lot going for it. (And we're here to show you the ropes: Keep checking back with the site for Back To School stories about dating on a student’s budget, ways to become a true local, and more.)

In fact, quality of life for students has gotten even better since we went to college here. Case in point: Just a few years ago, 18+ shows were hard to come by. There were occasional all-ages concerts at the big venues in town—not to mention more frequent teen-friendly shows put together by kind coffee shop owners (R.I.P. Foxfire)—but for the most part, finding out that your favorite band was going on tour was immediately followed by heartbreak. These days, as long as you’re not one of those brainy “skipped a grade” kids, you’re golden.

So take advantage of the local nightlife: Among this week’s 18+ shows are Scissor Sisters (Saturday, Epic), Nas and Damian “Junior Gong” Marley (Monday, First Avenue), and The Dollyrots (Wednesday, 7th Street Entry). Or get yourself acquainted with the famed First Avenue by checking out Monday Off!, a Labor Day Eve dance party that will leave you especially thankful that that Monday 8 a.m. geology class doesn’t start until the second week.