Basically new player questions

Hey all! I’m not totally new to the game, but haven’t played outside of being terrible on Arena occasionally over the last few years. I want to start playing in person.

I’ve picked up some product from each lgs in town to feel out the vibes, and found one I like. Well lit, clean, large play area, friendly staff who actually chatted with me after finding out how new I was. They run commander on saturdays, which I’ve never played. He recommended Dance of the Elements as a good jumping in deck and said they’re pretty welcoming to new players as long as you’re not a dick. I’m planning on ONLY buying product at stores (no online) and buying strictly to play, not collect sets or chase variants.

Couple questions:

1. As a new player who’s going to show up on commander day solo, buy a deck that day, and try to find a game with people that are willing to teach, any advice on how to approach it all?

2. I REALLY want to make this hobby mostly about building community and supporting a third-space business so I’m going to try to buy most of my product from the store I play at. How feasible is that?

3. The first commander Saturday I could attend is next weekend, but it turns out it’s the TMNT release instead. Besides the feelings on the set, should I skip it as a new player? Strictly from a player ability standpoint. Part of supporting the store, to me at least, means attending all events I’m able to, so even though I don’t care much about the set, I want to support and this one sounds like it’s going to be very underattended.