Recommend a camera

[Julie]

Ok, here's the deal. I have a photographer, but he's not always available. Such as tonight, where I find out the day before that I'm without a photographer to go to Smashing Pumpkins gig and get shots. Argggh. We have press/photo passes, and it sucks that it won't be used. The photo pass anyways, I'll be using the other stuff to do my review. But that's besides the point..

I also have a halfway decent camera (some $400 Canon Powershot), but its not a pro one. I'm not a pro photographer either. However, I do want to be able to step in and take photos when he can't make it to an event. So, I should buy a better camera and get practicing. But where do I start? I know nothing, except that I want it to be digital because most of the images will be used online anyways. We cover concerts, sports events, speeches, and other various events, so I'll need something that works for all that well... without making me look like an idiot with a cheap camera in the photo pit. lol.

Do you have any recommendations? Or, can you tell me what sort of specs to look for? What accessories will I need and so on?

Thanks in advance!!