What’s Good – April 20, 2023
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
Thursday, 4/20
Great Lake Swimmers (Rec Room, 79 W. Chippewa St, 7pm, $20)
This Canadian folk-rock group is touring behind their upcoming eighth album, Uncertain Country.
4/20 Bash f. Soular Plexus, Phriendly Phoes (Nietzche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $5, 21+)
Two psychedelic acts perform for a hemp-happy celebration of the day.
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Keri Russell makes her post-Americans return to TV, as an ambassador to the UK who’s married to a high-powered politician.
Mrs. Davis (Peacock)High on the success of Poker Face, Peacock is hoping they can continue their hot streak with this extremely high-concept series from Damon Lindelof about a nun (Betty Glipin) who takes on an all-powerful AI.
Friday, 4/21
Sloan (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $30)
Sloan jumpstarted the Canadian alt-rock scene of the 90s, and have outlasted their contemporaries, putting out their 13th album, Steady, in 2022.
Kragar! The American Monster Musical (Alleyway Theater, One Curtain Up Alley, 7:30pm, $42+)
A Godzilla-like monster wreaks havoc in this campy musical, Alleyway’s first in six years. Pay-What-You-Can Preview April 21/22/23/25, Opening Night April 26, performances continue Thu/Fri/Sat through May 13 (all 7:30pm)
Joywave w/Dizzy & Elliot Lee (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 6pm, $29)
Rochester indietronica act Joywave hit the Billboard alternative charts back in 2014 with “Dangerous,” and they’re touring behind two 2022 albums, Cleanse, and Live.
Science After Hours: Why So(ber) Curious? (Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humbolt Pkwy, 6-9pm, $30)
The museum stays open late with experiments and interactive activities for adults, as well as beer, wine, but also mocktails and other nonalcoholic options.
Thawfest 2023 (RiverWorks, 359 Ganson St, 5:30-9:30pm, $45)
Buffalo celebrates finally going from cold to merely chilly, as breweries, wineries, and distilleries from all over the region show off rare batches and new flavors.
Slip (Roku)
Zoe Lister-Jones (Life In Pieces, Delocated, The Craft: Legacy) created and stars in this new series about a woman who finds herself in a different alternate timeline every time she orgasms.
New Movies This Week
Evil Dead Rise (in wide release)
The fifth entry in the series is the first without Sam Raimi (Lee Cronin directs in his stead) or Bruce Campbell. Instead, Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland star as estranged sisters trying to protect their family from demonic invaders unleashed by a now-familiar old book.
The Covenant (in wide release)
Guy Ritchie gets serious, in this story about the bond between an American GI (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his Afghani translator (Dar Salim), which leads Gyllenaal to return to the war zone when he learns his friend has been captured by the Taliban.
Beau Is Afraid (Elmwood Center, Walden Galleria)
Joaquin Phoenix is a neurotic man who has to confront his many fears in this surreal horror comedy from A24.
Somewhere in Queens (Amherst Theater, Transit Center, Walden Galleria)
Ray Romano has shown some surprising acting chops, post-sitcom. Now he’s directing and starring in this indie, alongside Laurie Metcalf, whose overbearing Italian-American family is thrown into turmoil when their son risks losing a basketball scholarship.
Chevalier (Amherst Theater, Market Arcade, Transit Center, Walden Galleria)
Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Samara Weaving star in this biopic of French-Carribean musician Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a musical prodigy who has to deal with racism, and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton).
Ghosted (Apple TV+)
Chris Evans has a terrific first date with Ana de Armas, and when she doesn’t return his texts, he tracks her down… only to find she’s a spy in the middle of a life-and-death mission.
Saturday 4/22
Party For the Planet 2023 (Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Ave, 10am-2pm, FREE)
Celebrate Earth Day with talks from zookeepers and conservationists, animal meet and greets, and events throughout the day.
Buffalo Blues & Roots Festival (RiverWorks, 359 Ganson St., 1pm-11pm, $30+)
This year’s lineup includes Colin James, Selwyn Birchwood, Miller & the Other Sinners, Tonemah, Patti Parks, The Growlers, The X-Statix, Ray Barry, a Tribute to The Band, Henry’s Summer Kitchen, and two dozen local vendors.
Jim Florentine (Rob’s Comedy Playhouse, 1340 N. Forest, Williamsville, 7pm, $25)
Veteran comic Florentine hosted VH1’s “That Metal Show” for seven years, had roles in Beer League and Trainwreck, and hosts the podcast Everybody Is Awful… Except You.
Shostakovich String Quartet Cycle (UB Center For the Arts, 7:30pm, $20, FREE to students)
The Alexander String Quartet performs Shostakovich. We’ve also seen this listed as being at Lippes Concert Hall in Slee, so double-check!
Mozart’s Magic Flute (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 7:30pm (also Sunday 2:30), $42)
SUNY Fredonia’s Hillman Opera program joins the Philarmonic to perform Mozart’s fairy tail opera, sung in English.
Sunday 4/23
Just as the name suggests, it’s an all-gay AC/DC tribute band, led by Pansy Division bassist Chris Freeman (his previous band once titled an EP For Those About To Suck Cock, We Salute You, so forming this newer band may have been inevitable.)
Monday 4/24
Origami Angel w/Pinkshift, Sweet Pill (Rec Room, 79 Chippewa St, 6:30, $20)
This D.C. guitar-and-drums emo duo have released a staggering 9 albums or EPs since 2017, to universally good reviews.
Tuesday 4/25
Drunk Peter Pan (RiverWorks, 359 Ganson St, 7-9pm, $20)
The Boy Who Never Grew Up turns 21, as the classic children’s story is updated for adults… who get increasingly trashed as they perform the play.
The War & Treaty w/William Prince (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 8pm, $25.75)
This husband-and-wife duo combine Southern soul, gospel, blues, and rock and roll.
Wednesday 4/26
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Buffalo (Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, 6-8pm, FREE)
The Museum screens a WNED-produced documentary about Wright’s work around the city, and how his friend and supporter Darwin Martin made that work possible.
The Slackers w/The Abruptors, Working Class Stiffs (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 7pm, $20)
How did it take until now for someone to snag the band name The Slackers?
Buffalo State Wind Ensemble (Rockwell Hall, 1300 Elmwood Ave, 7:30pm, FREE)
Buff State’s free end-of-year concert.
Nora From Queens (10:30pm, Comedy Central)
Awkafina’s slacker comedy returns for season three.
