Should we be laughing right now? Could there be a better time? Can we afford not to?
We’re all looking for a reason to be happier this weekend, to smile, to laugh, to spew a drink on a friend through our nose.
I could be content watching the Dropkick Murphys livestream a 6 p.m. Friday concert from Boston’s Fenway Park, a charity gig shared on the band’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitch pages that will include a cameo by Bruce Springsteen.
I’d pair it with my new stash of Chopped and Hopped, the easy-drinking session IPA I revisited at Tarpon River Brewing last weekend ($10 a four-pack of 16-ounce cans — that’s good math).
But this is about getting off the sofa to get happy and, within the confines of social-distancing safety, you do have some options. The Palm Beach Improv and Lagniappe House in Miami are reopening, the Boca Black Box Theater also has comedians, you can watch a drive-in comedy in West Palm Beach and Kelly Brothers Irish Pub in Fort Lauderdale will be spilling over with pure joy.
Here are 10 ways to find good times in South Florida Friday-Sunday.
FRIDAY
Nery Saenz: The Miami-based, Nicaraguan-American comedian knows what makes South Florida laugh, and will show it 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday in the first reopening performances at the Palm Beach Improv in West Palm Beach. The club will operate with reduced capacity and social-distancing rules that have become the norm. Guests will be seated at tables only with people in the same group. Tickets cost $15 (plus taxes/fees and two-drink minimum). Looking ahead, the Palm Beach Improv will host Carlos Mencia June 4, Craig Shoemaker June 5-7. Visit PalmBeachImprov.com.
Michael Winslow: The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects and memorable star of the “Police Academy” film franchise, as well as TV’s “Family Guy” and “Robot Chicken,” performs 8 p.m. Friday at the Boca Black Box Center for the Arts. To meet capacity rules, just 100 general-admission tickets will be sold for this show, and temperatures will be checked on entry. Tickets cost $25.75 (plus taxes/fees). Visit BocaBlackBox.com.
Broski Ciderworks: What did we do before we had the warmth and wit of the local brewery to bind us? On Friday at 4 p.m. Broski Ciderworks in Pompano Beach reopens its taproom with 14 craft ciders available, including a new one that makes use of melon and watermelon called Post Melone. That’s pretty funny. Visit BroskiCiderworks.com.
Catfish Hunter: The popular Fort Lauderdale troubadour, who provided the upbeat soundtrack for many a misspent night at the Internationally World Famous Treasure Trove (RIP) and other similarly laidback spots around town, will set up on the patio at Shuck ‘N Dive in downtown Fort Lauderdale 7-10 p.m. Friday. Catfish is down to perform the following three Fridays, as well, and Shuck is adding extra tables, including some in the side parking lot, to handle the expected overflow. Visit Facebook.com/shuckndive1.
SATURDAY
Kevin Farley: Chris’ brother and a recurring member of the who’s-who cast of Bill Burr’s animated Netflix series “F is for Family,” Farley performs at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday at the Boca Black Box Center for the Arts. Greg Hahn (“Bob and Tom Radio Show”) opens. Again, due to capacity rules, only 100 general-admission tickets will be sold for this show, and temperatures will be checked on entry. Tickets cost $25.75 (plus taxes/fees). Visit BocaBlackBox.com.
Lagniappe House: This is reopening weekend for the music-minded Miami restaurant and its beautiful garden patio, highlighted on Saturday by an 8-11 p.m. performance from Juke, the veteran alt-blues band led with assertive authenticity by Eric “Uncle Scotchy” Garcia. This makes me very happy. Lagniappe will be operating at half capacity. Visit LagniappeHouse.com.
Only in Dade: The popular Instagram account Only in Dade goes live with a “Welcome Back Miami” show at the Miami Improv 7 p.m. Saturday, including comedians El Caballo and Cisco Duran, and music from DJ Laz, Mr. Mauricio, KC Chopz and DJ Africa. It’s all hosted by Fireman Gucch. The club will be at 25-percent capacity. Tickets cost $25 (plus taxes/fees and two-drink minimum). Visit MiamiImprov.com.
SUNDAY
USBG Drive-In Movie Night: The impromptu drive-in is a thing in South Florida, evidenced by sold-out shows last weekend with FLIFF Drive-in Cinemas in downtown Fort Lauderdale (the rained-out screening of “Teen Wolf” will happen 8:30 p.m. this Sunday, according to FLIFF.com). Meanwhile, the parking lot at Steel Tie Spirits in West Palm Beach’s Warehouse District will be the site of a 9 p.m. Sunday drive-in screening of the lost Ryan Reynolds bartender comedy “Waiting,” hosted by the United States Bartenders Guild Palm Beach. There will be popcorn, hotdogs and a special menu of cocktails, of course. Tickets cost $10. Visit Facebook.com/USBGPalmBeach.
“The Office” trivia: If your head is overflowing with knowledge about Dunder Mifflin, beet farming and “Threat Level Midnight,” put it to good use 8 p.m. Sunday during the Miami Improv’s trivia night dedicated to “The Office.” In lieu of Dundie Awards, prizes include Improv swag and tickets to future shows. You can reserve a table for your team (six players max) for $5 each at MiamiImprov.com.
Albert Castiglia: Last weekend the South Florida bluesman returned to live performances with an electric series of shows at the Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton. But on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Kelly Brothers Irish Pub in Fort Lauderdale, Castiglia will be unplugged, as he was on his 2019 studio album “Masterpiece.” The title track, written after he discovered a daughter he never knew he had, may offer the best reason to smile this weekend. Visit Facebook.com/KellyBrothersIrishPub, Facebook.com/AlbertCastigliaBand.
