Vikings Invade Mr. Smalls; Emo Kids Take Over Lava Lounge (CPs Thu., 2/6/2014)

1) The Vikings are the most fierce and metal figures from history. (Sorry, Samurai and Roman gladiators.) Amon Amarth knows this. That is why since 1992, the Swedish heavy metal band has filled their lyrics almost exclusively with stories of the seafaring, sword-wielding, warriors and their equally hardcore gods. The band’s nine-album discography is like an Icelandic saga of old, only set to thunderous guitar riffs and machine-gun-style drumming. And they look the part, with their long hair, beards, and perpetual frowns. For those who find paradise in loudness, let Mr. Smalls be your Valhalla tonight. Enslaved and Skeletonwitch open. 7:30 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale.

2) First there was ’80s night. Then clubs started hosting theme nights for grunge and gangster rap. Now emo, the genre that wore its heart on its sleeve and hair over its face, is the latest genre of (recent) yesteryear to become the focus of a nostalgia night (making some of us feel old in the process). For Emo Night, DJ Barry Bonz is filling the Lava Lounge with the music of My Chemical Romance, Saves the Day, Dashboard Confessional, and everyone else whose lyrics may have been scrawled in your subject-divided school notebook if you went to high school in a year that starts with a two and then a pair of zeroes. 10 p.m. 2204 E. Carson St., South Side.

3) Funny enough to be invited onto WDVE’s morning show every Wednesday, Greg Warren spends the rest of his time working the clubs. The clean-cut comic has a host of frustrating life stories from which to draw, ranging from his trouble impressing women as a teen to his years as a college wrestler to, sadly for him, his trouble impressing women as a middle-aged single dude. He has been luck winning over audiences, though, which he’ll do at a four-day stint at the Improv that starts today. 8 p.m. 166 E. Bridge St., Homestead.

4) Pressley Ridge is a North Side-based nonprofit that helps connect kids with disabilities and emotional/behavioral issues to education, treatment, and foster care. Today at Stage AE, there is a benefit for the organization, headlined by DJ-turned-pop singer Uncle Kracker (of “Follow Me” fame) and country star Joe Nichols (“Brokenheartsville,” “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off”). Also helping the cause are opening acts The Stickers and The Joseph Sisters. Doors open at 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore.

5) Stage Right Productions latest show, (Another) Evening of One-Acts, includes Savesies, a world premiere created by local writer Philip Beard. Having written five Fox Chapel Follies plays, Beard now turns his attention to the people of the city’s lower elevations. Savesies is written in “Pittsburghese” and involves  two South Side neighbors arguing over the last parking spot (what else) on their street as they prepare for a 4th of July cookout. Beard himself plays the character Chucky Halouski (sounds very similar to Haluski, the delicious Eastern European cabbage, onion, and noodle dish). Savesies is directed by Bill Ivins  Other one acts on the program include Letterhead and Postcards From a Dead Dog. Opens tonight 8 p.m. and continues through Feb. 15. 1220 Powers Run Rd., O’Hara Township.

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