What’s Good 8/18-25
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture
Friday, 8/19
Big Neck Records Fest Night (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 8pm, $10)
Your friendly neighborhood punk label is putting on a two-night showcase. Friday’s lineup includes Science Man, the Stools, Mononegatives, Werewolf Jones, and Monkey Wrench. At $2 a band, it’d be fiscally irresponsible not to go!
Saturday 8/20
Big Neck Records Fest Night (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 8pm, $10)
Five more bands for ten more bucks, as the local record label’s showcase continues. Sweet Knives, Fatal Figurines, Klazo, Whippets, and B&W Cat/B&W Cake.
The Oddities and Curiosities Expo (Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St., 10am-6pm, $10)
The name alone piqued our interest, and the collection of vendors seems fascinating: taxidermy, preserved specimens, skulls, bones, “funeral collectibles,” horror-inspired artwork… and a disclaimer that, “all items you see at our shows are legal to own,” which is raising questions they probably thought were answered by the disclaimer.
20th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade (Niagara Square, FREE)
Come for the parade (noon), stay for a parade of musical acts (2:00-5:00) including Hip Hop Jibarito, Los Fulanito, Sonidos Unidos, La A.P., Son Borikua, Ecos Borincanos, and KS La Krema.
Sunday 8/21
Jack White w/Cherry Glazerr (Artpark Mainstage, Lewiston, NY, 7:30pm, $45-115
The erstwhile White Stripe is busier than ever, with two solo albums this year. Expect some solid new material alongside old favorites.
Asian Food and Culture Festival (Canalside, 44 Prime St., 10:30-7:30, FREE)
Live performances all day, and a variety of pan-Asian food vendors.
House of the Dragon (HBO)
Game of Thrones’ ending didn’t leave too many people thirsty for more apart from HBO’s accountants. But Fire and Blood, the George R.R. Martin book the new series is based on, plays like A Game of Thrones on fast-forward, rocketing through generations of his trademark backstabbing, incest, and firebreathing without slowing down to lovingly describe meals and family crests. If HBO can keep up the all-fireworks-all-the-time pace, this could be propulsive, trashy fun.
Monday 8/22
’68 w/Of Night and Light, Gumshoe, Nurse Joyful (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St., $15/$20 day of)
Garage rock duo ‘68 make more noise than two people should be able to, and are always a good time. And we’re intensely curious as to whether opening act Gumshoe is the legendary Buffalo funk/soul outfit from the late 90s, or whether someone else took the name.
Tuesday 8/23
Dispatch w/O.A.R., G. Love (Artpark, Lewiston, NY, 6pm/doors 5pm, $25-$50)
Three venerable rootsy jam bands on one bill mean you’ll have a mellow good time and almost certainly end up talking to someone extolling the virtues of hemp.
Thursday 8/25
Wiz Khalifa (Darien Lake Amphitheater, $29.40-$109.50, doors 6:30)
It’s been three years since Khalifa came through town, but 2022’s a good time to see him, as the 80s-influenced Multiverse found the veteran rapper sounding rejuvenated. Opener Logic’s music is only available on Twitch, so you’ve either never heard him, or you’re all about him.
