Hot 97 April Fools Comedy Show
The Theater at Madison Square Garden; 4/1 at 7:30 p.m.; 4 Penn Plz., nr. 32nd St.; 212-465-6741
There will be laughs aplenty when Shawn and Marlon Wayons host this lineup of JB Smoove, Tommy Davidson, Michael Blackson, Tony Roberts, Hannibal Buress, Drew, Fraser, and Will Sylvince. Nobody will stop you if you decide to bring a whoopee cushion, because those things are hilarious.
Zum Schneider’s April Fools Celebration
Zum Schneider; 4/1 at 1 p.m.; 107 Ave. C., at 7th St.; 212-598-1098
On the regular, Zum Schneider fools you into thinking you’re imbibing brews in a German biergarden paradise. But really—and we hope we’re not spoiling anything for you—you’re in Alphabet City. Delude yourself some more this Sunday with an extra-special April Fools’ celebration starting at 1 p.m., featuring live sets by their five-piece house polka band, the Ja Ja Jas.
Unleashed at Petco
Petco; 4/1 at 2:30 p.m.; 805 Columbus Ave., nr. 100th St.; 212-222-6037
No doubt your talented pooch has some tricks up its sleeves, er, paws. Show them off at the Unleashed by Petco April Fools’ event for a chance to win prizes and for your pet to claim the title “King of the Canines.” (Okay, we made the title up. But it has a nice ring, no?)
April Fools Fever
PJ Bricks; 3/31 at 9 p.m.; 735 Tenth Ave., nr. 50th St.; 212-581-0400
This one’s not foolin’ around, getting you into the spirit early with a Saturday evening soiree. D.J.s will be spinning all night, and if you dress in non-matching colors (like fools do, of course), you get half off the $20 admission. Also, two-for-one beer specials, and free admission if you pay at the top of the hour. Because fools also have excellent timing.
Faceboyz Folliez
The Bowery Poetry Club; 4/1 at 10 p.m.; 308 Bowery, nr. Bleecker St.; 212-614-0505
Make your April Fools’ weird and wonderful with this special installment of the monthly variety show hosted by downtown fixture Faceboy. On the roster: bawdy burlesque, music, and films provided by ASS studios. What a way to usher in spring.
Lance Horne and the Salon for Fools
Feinstein’s at Loews Regency; 4/1 at 8 p.m.; 540 Park Ave., at 61st St.; 212-339-4095
This salon brings the downtown scene uptown, with stories and surprises, and ivory tickling by composer, lyricist, and downright handsome Mr. Lance Horne. Guests like Alexandra Silber, Mike Albo, and Bridget Everett will be performing tasks for the first time in public, so you may get to know a little more about them than you bargained for.
“Barred Music”: Shakespeare’s Fools Day
Cornelia Street Café; 4/1 at 6 p.m.; 29 Cornelia St., nr. 4th St.; 212-989-9319
Shakespeare liked his fools and Cornelia Street Café likes Shakespeare. On Sunday, catch a special edition of their Serial Underground variety show, featuring readings by Paul Hecht and Roberta Maxwell, and music from composer-performer Demetrius Spaneas and pianist Jed Distler.
The Moth StorySLAM: Duped
The Bell House; 4/3 at 7:30 p.m.; 149 7th St., nr. Second Ave.; 718-643-6510
If two days later you’re still in the spirit of shams, head to the Bell House for the Moth’s Duped storytelling, hosted by Peter Aguero. Check out the follies of others or even tell your own tale, because sharing with a crowd is the best therapy.