What’s Good – October 5-11, 2023
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
Thursday, 10/5
Buffalo International Film Festival (various locations, Thu-Mon noon-midnight, $55)
BIFF returns with 150 film premieres, plus panels, workships, art events, musical performances, and more. One ticket gives you access to it all! See the festival website for screening times and locations.
Belfast Girls (Irish Classical Theatre, 625 Main St, Thu/Fri 7:30pm/Sat 3pm & 7:30pm/Sun 2pm, through 10/15, $48/$23 student)
Five young women board a ship from Ireland to Australia, to escape famine in 1850. As they head for their new home, they each hope they can outrun their past, in this play from award-winning director Kyle LoConti.
Guys & Dolls (MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St, Amherst, Thu 7pm, Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sat 3:30pm, Sun 2:00pm, $52)
An inveterate gambler has to find a location for a secret poker game in this classic musical.
Prohibition Comedy (Helium Comedy Club, 7-8:30pm, $22)
Started during COVID lockdown when a lot of traditional comedy venues were closed down, Prohibition is still setting up stand-up shows, including this one featuring Phil Duckett, Glorelys Mora, Brandon Trusso, Kevin McGloin, Matt McCoy, and Malachi Fox.
Our Flag Means Death (Max)
The pirate comedy returns for season two. Look for reviews here on Subject.
Loki (Disney+)
Ke Huy Quan joins the best of the Marvel TV series for season two. Look for reviews here on Subject.
Friday, 10/6
Jhumpa Lahiri (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 8pm, $12-102)
The Pulizer-winning author of Interpreter of Maladies and The Lowland gives a talk about her life’s work as both a writer and translator, and discusses her most recent book, Whereabouts.
That Comedy Show (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 8pm, $10/$15 day of)
The lineup includes Kevin Andrews, Dr. Bob, Ryan Fay, Mike Giambra, Don Johnson, Sara Murello, Jake Samson, and Nicky Spin
Grabbitz (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 8pm, $50, 18+)
Buffalo-born EDM producer and DJ Grabbitz spins a live set.
Bolero (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Fri 10:30am/Sat 7:30pm, $12-50)
The Philharmonic performs Ravel’s syncopated and sinuous Boldero and his humorous Alborada del gracioso, alongside “Ibéria” from Debussy’s Images, and violinist Tianwa Yang performs Miklós Rózsa’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.
Ghost Hunt (Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, 3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd, Amherst, 8:30pm, $120 for a team of up to five, 16+)
Hear about past supernatural encounters across the Heritage Village, and search for ghosts yourself with ghost-detection equipment provided. Ideal for meddling kids, although dogs are not welcome.
New Movies This Week
Stop Making Sense (Amherst Theatre, North Park, Transit Center)
The big suit. The silly dances. The iconic music. In 1983, the Talking Heads and director Jonathan Demme teamed up for the greatest concert film ever made. Do not miss your chance to see it on the big screen, remastered for its 40th anniversary.
The Exorcist: Believers (in wide release)
One of the best horror movies ever made gets yet another sequel.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (in wide release)
One of the best horror novels ever written gets yet another adaptation.
She Came to Me (Transit Center, Walden Galleria)
A composer suffering from writers’ block (Peter Dinklage) goes out into the world in search of inspiration, at the urging of his wife (Anne Hathaway).
Hocus Pocus (in wide release)
Just in time for spooky season, this kids’ horror-comedy is back in theaters for its 30th anniversary.
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Paramount+)
Legendary director William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist, Cruising) adapted Herman Wouk’s novel and play before passing away in August. Kiefer Sutherland stars, and Lance Reddick appears in his final role.
Totally Killer (Amazon)
After a teenager (Kiernan Shipka) sees her mom’s friends murdered by a serial killer, she travels back to 1987, and teams up with her mom’s younger self (Olivia Holt) to save them.
Foe (Amazon)
Saoirse Ronan learns her husband is to be sent to a space station and replaced by a robot, in this psychological thriller.
The Burial (Amazon)
An unconventional personal injury lawyer (Jamie Foxx) helps a mortician (Tommy Lee Jones) sue a larger funeral home company, in this based-on-a-true-story legal drama.
Mission Raniganj (Elmwood Center)
Akshay Kumar stars in the true story of an engineer who rescued 65 trapped miners at the Raniganj Coalfields in 1989. In Hindi w/subtitles
Rules Ranjann (Elmwood Center)
A sheltered young man’s life is upended when he meets a girl in this romantic comedy. In Telugu w/subtitles
Skanda: The Attacker (Elmwood Center)
A Chief Minister hires an assassin to kill the rival’s son who eloped with his daughter in this action thriller. In Telugu w/subtitles
When Evil Lurks (Elmwood Center, Walden Galleria)
This Argentinian horror film premiered to acclaim at TIFF last month. In Spanish w/subtitles
Saturday 10/7
Ben Harper (UB Center for the Arts, 2-6pm, $49+/$5 off for UB students)
The multiple Grammy winning singer-songwriter is touring behind his new album, Wide Open Light.
Katt Williams (KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour Knox Plaza, 8pm, $80+)
The Friday actor and legendary standup headlines a night of comedy that also includes Red Grant, Tommy Davidson, Mark Curry, Tacarra Williams, and Pretty Ricki.
David Sedaris (AKG Art Museum, 1285 Elmwood Ave, 1pm & 7pm, SOLD OUT)
This reading and book signing with the bestselling author and droll storyteller is sold out.
Organ Fairchild (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $15/$20 day of, 18+)
This danceable guitar-drums-organ trio celebrates the release of their latest album.
Canalside Ghost Tour (Buffalo Naval Park, One Naval Park Cove, 7-10pm, $15)
Buffalo’s waterfront was once known as “The Most Evil Square Mile in America.” Hear some tragic tales of the past, and why the ghosts of those who found a watery grave in Lake Erie may still haunt the waterfront!
The K-Pop Party (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 8pm, $16)
A DJs spins K-Pop all night at this pop-up event.
Sunday 10/8
Cupcakke (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 8pm, $25+)
The boundary-pushing rapper and singer brings her R-rated show to Town Ballroom.
SunSquabi (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $20/$25 day of, 18+)
This three-piece combines jam bands and electronic dance music, and we’re pretty sure playing either of those things get you sent to The Bad Place.
Monday 10/9
Indigenous People’s Day Ride (Augustin Olivencia Community Center, 261 Swan St, 5:30-10pm, FREE)
The 10 mile roundtrip bike ride through several Buffalo neighborhoods includes two stops, and ends with an afterparty with food, drink, and music.
Chalkfest (RiverWorks, 359 Ganson St, Sun/Mon noon-5pm)
See the GLF grain silos covered in chalk art inside and out — or add your own! (Artists will be chosen by expertise, past ChalkFest experience, and order of signing up, so sign up soon!)
The Good Life w/Doom Flower (Mohawk Place, 47 E Mohawk St, 7pm, $20/$25 day of)
The Good Life will perform their 2004 album Album of the Year in its entirety.
Underground Springhouse w/Tsavo Highway (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $8/$10 day of, 18+)
Springhouse plays reggae-, country-, and funk-influenced rock.
Mixtapes 3 (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 8pm, $20)
Singer-songwriters David Cloyd, Grace Stumberg, and Seth Glier share the stage in Babeland’s ongoing series.
Tuesday 10/10
The Lemon Twigs (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $20)
The D’Addario brothers’ critically acclaimed duo is blowing up right now, so see them in a small venue while you still can, and listen for an upcoming interview here on Subject.
Lyle Lovett & Leo Kottke (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 7pm, $45-85)
John Hiatt was originally scheduled to appear with Lovett, but after Hiatt was injured during a hike, unparallelled fingerpicker Kottke stepped in, so you can still see two legends of Americana share a stage.
mssv (Mohawk Place, 47 East Mohawk St, 8pm, $18)
Speaking of legends, irreplaceable punk bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose, the Stooges reunion tour) is back with a new band he describes as part punk and part “dreamy experimental.”
Gloomer w/ Elemantra, Prairie Pavement, tuesday nite, Star Theory (Mohawk Place, 47 East Mohawk St, 7pm, $10/$13 day of)
That is a lot of bands for ten bucks.
Wednesday 10/11
The Mid-Week Vibe (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave., 8pm, $30)
9th Ward’s midweek concert experience celebrates its one-year anniversary with a lineup made up entirely of surprise guests! Also features free pizza and wings (while supplies last) and a cash bar.
Best of Buffalo (Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $20)
A lineup of Buffalo’s best stand-up comics: Michael Giambra, John Lockwood, Liz Reaves, Kevin Thomas, Kyle Turner, Mark Walton, and Buffalo’s Funniest Person 2023, Ryan Fay.
Exploring 111 Places in Buffalo (Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, 6-8pm, $5)
Author Brian Hayden and photographer Jesse Pitzler traveled to 111 places across Western New York to find offbeat stories about the region. They’ll share some of them, which they’ve compiled into an upcoming book, 111 Places in Buffalo That You Must Not Miss.
Outer Harbor Views Bike Tour (2 Fuhrmann Blvd, 4-6pm, $7)
This bike tour is just under 10 miles and follows the Outer Harbor and the waterfront.
Subject Board of Directors Meeting (5:15pm, 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.