SAT 11/6
Dark Star Orchestra takes the idea of impersonation to new heights. You know how Grateful Dead fans always bootlegged shows? How they swapped concert tapes? How they'd freak if the band busted out "Monkey and the Engineer" on a rare occasion? Well, the DSO chooses a set list from one particular Dead show and re-invents it for the audience. They never announce in advance which night they'll copy -- but you might be able to tell if you study exactly where the mics are positioned or notice whether there is a synthesizer on the stage. As the band's website puts it: "The secret becomes part of a game. Usually the audience in front starts throwing out guesses toward the end of the first set. Sometimes a curious look comes over the faces of the audience as they realize, 'Hey! I was at this show!' followed by a smile as they realize... they're at the show again!" What we want to know (besides, "Are you kind?") is whether the parking lot scene is re-created. Get yourself to Shakedown Street, a.k.a. the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre (1806 NE Sixth St., Pompano Beach) Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $23. Call 954-946-2402. -- Deirdra Funcheon
Solid Gold
Pleasing a tough crowd
THU 11/4
As illustrated by the smackdown Jon Stewart recently dealt Crossfire's Tucker Carlson, comedians don't always have to be on to be entertaining. But you wouldn't know that watching the pandering blowhards on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. Were it not for the honesty of guests like Judy Gold, one might think all comics are laugh whores. However, writing off Gold as a bitter Janeane Garofalo type neglects the Emmy and Cable Ace awards she's won. A regular of standup specials, talk shows, and the occasional sitcom, Gold has put her comedic stamp on everyone from Drew Carey to Jay Leno. And at six foot three, maybe one day she'll put it on Carlson as well. We'd love that. Gold performs tonight through Sunday at the Palm Beach Improv at CityPlace (550 S. Rosemary Ave., Ste. 250, West Palm Beach). Tickets cost $15.90 to $18.02. Call 561-833-1812. -- Jason Budjinski
Theater Gets Spicy
With puppets and percussion
THU 11/4
When Adolf Hitler came to power, playwright Bertolt Brecht fled Germany. While in exile, he wrote The Good Person of Szechwan, a play that examines -- guess what? -- egoism and hatred. Set in China, the action centers on a good-hearted but broke prostitute who has to muster some evil to survive in an evil world. Broward Community College theater students bring Brecht's play to life with a revolving set, life-sized puppets, bamboo flutes, and percussion instruments. The play shows at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in BCC's Fine Arts Gallery (3501 SW Davie Rd., Davie). Tickets cost $5 to $10. Call 954-201-6884. -- Deirdra Funcheon
At Least He's Handsome
FRI 11/5
Before he became completely annoying (enough with the AT&T commercials already!), Carrot Top was actually funny (when he started doing standup while attending Florida Atlantic University in Boca). For his show at the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre (1801 NE Sixth St., Pompano Beach), Top will definitely bring a trunkload of props, and if we're lucky, he'll channel his alter ego, Celery Head. Tickets cost $33. Call 954-523-3309. -- Deirdra Funcheon