What’s Good 2/24-3/3
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
Friday, 2/24
Kaivon (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8-11pm, $20)
This electronic artist has been putting out songs since 2016, but only released his first album, Awakening, last August, and is on a 20-city tour to support it.
Heartbreak Haven (Alchemy Wine & Beer, 50 Buffalo St, Hamburg, 9-11pm, $38)
Drag queens hit the Southtowns, in a show including Pamela Carnes, Tara Bishop, Carina Gunn, and Willa DeWhisp.
Clue (Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster, Fri/Sat at 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm, through 3/12, $15 for students, $27 otherwise)
Lancaster’s out of the way, but worth the trek for this stage comedy based on the hilarious 1985 film, itself based on the classic board game.
Party Down (Starz)
The only reason to ever watch Starz is back, as this classic ensemble comedy about a catering outfit staffed by failed Hollywood strivers returns for a 3rd season, 13 years after its second. The cast is a murderer’s row of comic talent, including Adam Scott, Jennifer Coolidge, Ryan Hansen, Jane Lynch, Ken Marino, Megan Mulally, and Martin Starr. Only Lizzy Caplan isn’t returning from the original cast.
New Movies This Week
Cocaine Bear (in wide release)
Based on a true story! (Loosely) Drug dealers drop a brick of cocaine in the woods, a bear eats the whole thing, and mayhem ensues. Place your bets now as to whether Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Isiah Whitlock Jr., Beloved Character Actor Margot Martindale, or Ray Liotta (in his final role) are the first one to get mauled.
We Have a Ghost (Netflix)
A family turns the ghost haunting their house (David Harbour) into a YouTube sensation, before discovering the spirit damned to remain on Earth has — surprise — a dark past. With Anthony Mackie, Tig Notaro, and Jennifer Coolidge.
Bruiser (Hulu)
This favorite from the Toronto International Film Festival is a family drama about a 14-year-old (Jalyn Hall) who’s torn between his family and a charismatic stranger (Trevante Rhodes) who teaches him how to box after he’s attacked by bullies. He eventually learns his new mentor has a dark past, that involves his family.
Saturday 2/25
Rob Base (Showplace Theater, 1065 Grant St., 7pm, $22)
This old school rapper didn’t record much after his late-80s hits “It Takes Two” and “Joy and Pain,” but he’s still spitting rhymes, and has DJ Sammy D on hand spinning dance music.
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $20)
This Rochester dub outfit has been called “the Grateful Dead of reggae” for their musicianship and sprawling live show.
Harlem Quartet (UB Center for the Arts, 7:30pm, $20)
This classical quartet is comprised of winners of the Sphinx Competition, which awards Black and Latino string players annually. They formed for a one-off show at Carnegie Hall in 2006, but have continued performing and recording ever since.
Buffalo on Tap (Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St., 1-4pm, 6:30-9:30pm, $46, 21+)
Sample over 150 craft beers, seltzers, and ciders, alongside food vendors.
Mardis Gras Bash Fundraiser w/Brass Machine (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7:30pm, $100)
Missed Mardi Gras? Or just want to party again for a good cause? Babeland is holding its second annual Mardi Gras fundraiser. Tickets include an open bar, appetizers, and desserts, plus a live brass band. Proceeds to go support the Rachael Warrior Foundation, that supports survivors of domestic abuse.
Sunday 2/26
Burtfest (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 4pm, $20)
Greg Burt is a local concert promoter who decided to name an annual music festival after himself. This year’s lineup includes local groups Gumshoe, Tokyo Monsters, Creating a Sinner, Bear the Bronze, Lost Like Lions, Red Button Dilemma, The Grave Diggers, Theory of Rock, and Cardiac Cassette.
Tuesday 2/28
Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew: Remain in Light (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 7pm, $45)
Harrison was the keyboardist in legendary new wave group Talking Heads; Belew was in prog-rock group King Crimson, and collaborated with Talking Heads on their seminal 1980 album Remain in Light. The pair are on tour to play songs from the album. VIP tickets are on offer with a pre-show meet & greet in which the artists tell stories behind the album’s creation.
Subject Board of Directors Meeting (9pm, Google Meet)
Subject is student-run and managed by a non-profit. Our board meetings are open to the public, in case you want to make suggestions or see how the sausage gets made. You can also join our Discord channel to learn more about the site and pitch an article, radio show, or podcast, or otherwise get involved.
Wednesday 3/1
The Mandalorian (Disney+)
The first season was a terrific episodic space Western; the second started bringing in a lot of Star Wars mythology; enjoying the third might be dependent on watching between-season plot developments that happened on the far inferior guy-in-a-metal-suit show Book of Boba Fett, and the more Mando gets tied to lesser Star Wars properties, the less engaged we are.
Friday 3/3
Live Band Karaoke: Emo/Pop-Punk Edition (Rec Room, 79 W. Chippewa St, 10pm, $5)
Sing your favorite emo and pop-punk hits from the 2000s, backed by a live band.
