Don’t worry: if your IQ is above 100, you can attend The Dumb Show without being ridiculed. The acclaimed monthly improv performance – part of American Stage’s After Hours Series – stars the experienced, quick-thinking Gavin Hawke and Ricky Wayne (pictured right). The Dumb Show begins with Hawke and Wayne taking one scene suggestion from the audience, which spawns a series of characters and scenes, in hopes of get people in the crowd laughing, wondering, and sometimes even shaking their heads at the pure absurdity of the performance. CL theater critic Mark Leib says Hawke and Wayne “find more humor in their unscripted hijinks than most actors ever find in the most celebrated of comic texts” and are “about as professional as you could want.” Sounds like if you are in the mood for belly aching laughs and witnessing comical masterminds who think with their feet … wait, on their feet? Or is it with their heads? Anyway, then this show is definitely worth checking out. Sun., Jan. 3, 8 p.m., American Stage, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg, pay-what-you-can admission, americanstage.org. – Lily Reisman
The first day of the New Year is often a gut-grumbling one, but if you can stand the sight of fresh fish after last night’s debauchery, head to Sushi 101, an informative course where you’ll learn the ancient art of sushi from beginning to end, including proper rice cooking (it can be pretty tricky) and ingredient selection. You’ll also learn the techniques required to roll some of the standards like as veggie, California, and basic nigiri. Fri., Jan. 1, 6 p.m., Publix Apron's Cooking School, 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa, $50, 813-926-4465.
This article appears in Dec 23-29, 2009.