Third Eye Blind in Concert at Stage AE; Trivia Night at Gene’s Place (Wed., 10/18/17)

1) It may be fall, but Third Eye Blind’s Summer Gods Tour continues with a show at Stage AE. The tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of the band’s six-times-platinum eponymous debut album. Since that album—featuring the hit “Semi-Charmed Life”—there have been no shortage of musicians adding “former Third Eye Blind member” to their résumés. But vocalist Stephen Jenkins, the remaining founding member, has been the common factor through the years. They never repeated the commercial success of that debut, which sold 6 million copies in the US (of course, it’s hard for anyone to sell 6 million albums anymore), but they’ve hardly sat around collecting royalties. The band—in various iterations—has continued to record and tour, and they have grown a new fan base, particularly with the release of 2009’s Ursa Major, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. They followed up 2015’s LP, Dopamine, with an EP, We Are Drugs, in 2016. The Delaney’s open. Doors open 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (HM, CM)

Trivia night packs them in at Gene’s Place. photo: Rick Handler

2) Some call it a dive. Others, home. Many come for bingo, a board game, or trivia night but return for the camaraderie, dartboard, and daily drink specials. Nestled between Atwood Street and York Way, Gene’s Place may be the best South Oakland bar that you’ve never heard of. Owner Gene Ney teaches business courses part-time at Carlow University, which makes him an educator both in front of and behind the bar. The three flat screens are tuned to either professional Pittsburgh teams or to Pitt athletics. One of the weekly draws is Gene’s Place Bingo: 9 p.m. every Monday hosted by “The Fenn.” Prizes run the gamut from silly putty to GT Cola. Monday drink specials include $2.25 22-ounce Duquesne drafts and $5.50 Duquesne pitchers. Tuesday is Board Game Night. 22-ounce drafts of North Country Brewing are $2.75 and North Country Pitchers are $7. Another popular night is Trivia on Tap, 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Harrison Kinzler and Mike (“Marty”) Stanis make for some tough quizmasters, but to the victors go free booze. Wednesday specials include $2.25 22-ounce Miller Light drafts and $5.50 Miller Light pitchers. Winners or losers, everyone leaves with a smile on their face and knowledge gained. Gene’s is now smoke-free. 3616 Louisa St., Oakland. (CM)

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