Pens vs. Sharks in Stanley Cup Finals; Eagles of Death Metal at Mr. Smalls; Memorial Day Fun (Mon., 5/27/16)

1) Our resilient, hard-working Pens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL semifinals and now advance to face the San Jose Sharks in the Stanley Cup finals. Woo-hoo! The teams only played each other twice this year with each team winning one, so look for each team to probe for weaknesses in game one. One other difference is that the two teams haven’t met one another with new Pens coach Mike Sullivan on the bench. Let’s go Pens! 8 p.m. Consol Energy Center, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

2) Eagles of Death Metal never took themselves too seriously. The hipster mustaches, the outrageous album titles, the fact that they don’t play death metal—rock ‘n’ roll for our postmodern times. The music was always tight, though, even if it never really cracked the mainstream (“Wannabe in L.A.,” a great tune, was featured in The Perfect Host, a movie you’ve probably never seen despite a delectably dark performance by David Hyde Pierce).

Then the November Paris terrorist attacks happened, and Eagles of Death Metal saw themselves in headlines in a way no band ever wants to see. The band survived the massacre at the Bataclan, and undeterred by the terrorists, performed with U2 at a Paris concert just three weeks later. In February, they played Paris again; this time at L’Olympia. They are touring North America now, including a Mr. Smalls stop. Additionally, and as a response to the evil of those attacks, other bands continue to cover their song “I Love You All the Time,” with all the proceeds dedicated from that song going to the Sweet Stuff Foundation, a charitable organization that EODM band member Josh Homme is involved with. The proceeds are then given to victims or the families of the victims of the Bataclan attack. Thelma and the Sleaze opens. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

3) “Kennywood’s open.” No, we don’t mean the local slang usage, we mean the actual amusement park. The park’s latest attractions, Black Widow, is  a high-spinning/swing adventure that gives riders a nice view of the park and an update of the classic Noah’s Ark. For roller coaster enthusiasts, there’s  Thunderbolt, Racer, Jack Rabbit, Phantom’s Revenge, Exterminator, and Sky Rocket. If it’s a hot day and you feel like getting a little wet, check out the Log Jammer, Pittsburg(h) Plunge, and Raging Rapids. Kennywood also features thrill rides, classic rides, dark rides (snuggle up with that special someone, hee hee), Kiddie Land, daily entertainment, AND the park’s famous Potato Patch French Fries. 10:30 a.m – 10 p.m. daily. 4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin.

4) Sandcastle’s now open and featuring the “maximum thrill” Dragon’s Den tube ride, where you slide around the rim a while before entering the belly of the beast for a dark mist-filled trip. There’s also the Lightning Express speed slide,  where you zoom down a 60-foot open water slide.  What a concept! A water amusement thrill that combines fear of heights with fear of water. A real two-fer. Luckily, Sandcastle has good people who look out for us “regular Joes” and make it a fun and safe experience. If that’s too scary, there’s always the leisurely Lazy River raft ride and Wet Willie’s Water Works for the kids. And Don’t forget the cleverly named wave-pool, Mon-Tsunami. Sandcastle is open today from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and next Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It then re-opens June 11 for its summer run, 11 a.m. –  6 p.m. daily. 1000 Sandcastle Dr., Homestead.

5) The Baja Bar and Grill’s outdoor deck and Tiki bar are now open for dining, drinking, and dancing with live bands and DJs. Today’s band is Told Ya So. 2 – 6 p.m. 1366 Old Freeport Rd., Fox Chapel.

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