Ray Davies (of The Kinks), 8 p.m. on Saturday at The Ithaca State Theatre: British rock legend Ray Davies, former lead singer and songwriter of The Kinks, is set to electrify the State Theatre. The Kinks, masters of kronikles and kontroversy since the 1960s, pioneered the punk and metal guitar sound since copied by countless bands. Davies’ prolific output (he’s also ventured into short stories and musicals) means you’re in for a surprise. He might swagger through delirious early-Kinks hits like “You Really Got Me,” meditate on British society in cult classics like “Village Green Preservation Society,” sit and pass the time in “Working Class Café” or enjoy oft-covered, late-period fare such as “Victoria” (famously reinterpreted by The Fall). You’ll want to stay all day and all of the night.

The Thanksgiving Comedy Show (Featuring T-Blunt, Jaxn and Chris Miree), 8 p.m. on Thursday at Castaways: A recent study from Vanderbilt University found that laughter burns 1.3 calories a minute. Thus, there’s no better way to lose the weight from that second helping of Aunt Rhonda’s stuffing than to attend The Thanksgiving Comedy Show at the Big Time Barber Shop near Ithaca Commons. The self-proclaimed “funniest” and “finest” comedians in Up-State New York will provide a barrel of laughs to the annual event.  The comedic stylings of T-Blunt, Jaxn, Brandon Dyer and Chris Miree will entertain with a combination of sidesplitting humor and wit.  Comedian Kenneth McLaurin is set to host.  

Thanksgiving, All Day on Thursday, Everywhere in the U.S.: While the first Thanksgiving marked the beginning of the long and fruitful relationship between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, the contemporary holiday has become a day to reflect on life’s more important questions. Will the Packers cover the point spread? How early should I wake up for Black Friday?  Will Uncle Alvin be sober? Are your parents going to obsess over the drunk and disorderly charges you inevitably receive on Thanksgiving Eve? Will Grandpa inadvertently insult your sister’s boyfriend thanks to societally ingrained racism? Will your Aunt Susan disown your cousin Bobby for coming out to the entire family and ruining her chance at having grandchildren? Regardless, enjoy the food, football and festivities with friends and family at home or spend the holiday here in Ithaca for those of you who live overseas or on the West Coast. 

Other Events/Features, On and Around Campus Throughout the Week: 

C.U. Music: Jazz Combos, 8 p.m. Nov. 21. in The Carriage House Hayloft. Come and groove to some of Cornell’s finest jazz musicians as you celebrate the oncoming holiday with some of your more “artistically inclined” friends (read: hipsters).

Jenni Sorkin, Monday. 5:15 p.m. in Kaufman Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall. Ms. Sorkin, an assistant professor at the University of Houston will be discussing the confluence of gender, artistic labor, and the history of post-war ceramics from 1945 to 1975.