What’s Good – Nov 30-Dec 6, 2023

Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.

Thursday, 11/30

Stew Cutler (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7-9:30pm, $18/$25)
This jazz, blues, and gospel purist was recently featured on the soundtrack to The Irishman.

Andy Frasco & the U.N. (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $29.50)
Blues rock from Los Angeles, w/ Dogs In a Pile

Friday, 12/1

TK Kirkland (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, Fri/Sat 7 & 10pm, Sun 7pm, $26/$38)
This Compton-based comic started his career opening for NWA, and has since acted, hosted podcasts, and starred in Mo’ Funny: Black Comedy in America.

Punks for Prevention (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 6-11pm; $13 adv/$15)
This suicide prevention benefit includes Skyway, Broken Locker, Abandoned Trains, 13 Dead Canaries, The Coffin Dodgers, and Sin Lung.

Mija (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 9pm, $26)
DJ and rave promoter Mija has performed at Bonnaroo and Burning Man.

Willie Nile (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $28/$36, 12+)
Buffalo native Nile made his name as a singer-songwriter in NYC’s late ’70s folk scene, and since then has played with everyone from Ringo Starr to Elvis Costello to the E Street Band.

The Music of Moonchild (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7-9:30pm, $15/$19)
With vocalist Lindsey Holland and saxophonist John Lehning.

New Movies This Week

Silent Night (in wide release)
Face/Off director John Woo returns with his first American film in 20 years, a revenge thriller with almost no dialogue.

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (in wide release)
Not to be outdone by Taylor Swift at the multiplex, Queen Bey releases her own documentary concert film, including appearances by Jay-Z, Diana Ross, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kendrick Lamar.

Godzilla Minus One (in wide release)
Toho’s 33rd Godzilla film goes back to its roots, as the monster attacks war-ravaged Japan in 1945. In Japanese w/English subtitles.

The Shift (in wide release)
When a man refuses an offer of wealth and power from a mysterious benefactor, he’s thrust into a series of alternate realities, in this sci-fi thriller.

Brazil (North Park Theatre)
Don’t miss a chance to see Terry Gilliam’s surrealist dystopian classic on the big screen.

Annapoorani (Elmwood Center, Walden Galleria)
A young woman (Nayanthara) dreams of being a chef, and secretly learns to cook meat in defiance of her strictly vegetarian Brahmin family. Tamil w/English subtitles.

Saturday 12/2

The Sadies (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm; $15 adv/$20)
This superlative Canadian country/rock band lost singer Dallas Good in 2022, but his brother Travis has kept the band going with a remarkably good live show and a new album, Colder Streams. Not to be missed.

The Nutcracker (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, Sat 7pm/Sun 1pm; $36-$102)
Neglia Ballet and the Buffalo Philharmonic perform the holiday classic.

Pretty in Plaid album release (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 6-11pm; $10)
Hear the band debut Deciding to Tell the Truth, with guests Vicious Fishes, Skyway, We Were Blank, and Sunday Reign.

Paul Hage & Mirage (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7-9:30pm, $13/$16)
Mediterranean-inspired jazz, led by multi-instrumentlist Hage.

The Four Horsemen (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $20)
Metallica tribute band.

Tuesday 12/5

Dragula Viewing Party & Drag Show (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm; $10)

Wednesday 12/6

The Mid-Week Vibe (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $30)
This month’s vibe includes comedian Julian “The Mayor” Russell, guitarist Jamie Holka, and vocalists Jetaun Louie and Preach Freedom. Plus a cash bar, and free pizza and wings while supplies last!

Christmas Vacation, w/Chevy Chase (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, 7:30pm; $74-$92)
A screening of the perennial favorite holiday movie, then a conversation and Q&A with star Chevy Chase.

Open Mic Night (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, FREE [two drink minimum])
See more than 20 comedians take the stage, or sign up if you think you’ve got a tight five in you.

Craig Owens (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 6-11pm; $10)
with Andrés, The Seafloor Cinema, and Makeitstop.

Lespecial (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm; $20 adv/$25)
This band’s “heavy future groove” seems to fall somewhere between jam band and heavy metal.

Thursday 12/7

The Mountain Goats (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $45)
Extending the listings an extra day, as you don’t want to miss indie rocks greatest singer-songwriter. Get your tickets early!

Author