Who’s got talent? … Really, we want to know. If you think you’ve got it, do your thang at the Big Bang Show, a monthly variety show that combines America's Got Talent with improv. Hosted by Daniel "Motown Pride" Jefferson and Donalee Curtis (pictured), the lineup includes comedian Q. Greene, rapper Mike Mass, rock band Gates of Eden, spoken word artist LJ and acrobatic act the Acro Duo. Tickets are available for advance purchase online at gotjokesimprov.com and cost $10; $15 at the door. 8 p.m. at the Nova 535 Lounge, 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg
This week, Sons of Hippies, the duo-turned-trio that now includes bassist Ryan O’Neill, celebrates the self-release of A-Morph, a dark sophomore LP that comments on the state of politics, the struggle to be taken seriously as an artist, and selling out vs. staying true to what you believe in, all via poetic abstractions that allow plenty of room for interpretation while still managing to get all the points across. Fans will notice that Sons of Hippies have continued to dose their fusion of punk, psyche and prog rock with low-key electro flourishes, and can get a heaping helping of it live at New World Brewery tonight, where Sons of Hippies will hold a Bay area CD release party with two other 941 artists — Americana rockers Have Gun, Will Travel, and funky hip-hoppers Big Blu House 9 p.m. 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City; $8 (ages 21 and up). (Leilani Polk contributed to this report.)
Attention aesthetes and feng shui junkies: The free Bruce Mau seminar at USF is the event for you. Writer, designer, teacher and consultant Bruce Mau offers life lessons about how well-being, success and sustainability are influenced by our aesthetic surroundings and use of space. He shares the wisdom of 25 years of studio experience in design innovation and collaboration with some of the world’s leading artists, institutions and businesses. Mau wrote and provided designs for award-winning books, including LifeStyle (Phaidon, 2000), S,M,L,XL (The Monacelli Press, 1994) in collaboration with Rem Koolhaas, and the Zone Books series. Mau’s newest book, The Third Teacher (Abrams, April 2010) presents a collection of ways that design can transform teaching and learning for students, families and teachers to thrive in tomorrow’s world. USF Theater 1, 7 p.m. 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa.
This article appears in Sep 2-8, 2010.