What’s Good – December 7-13, 2023
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
Thursday, 12/7
The Mountain Goats (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $45)
Indie rock’s greatest singer-songwriter, (and author, and Poker Face guest star) John Darnielle, and his band.
Melissa Ferrick w/Meg Toohey (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $25adv/$30)
Ferrick is a professor of songwriting, is suing Spotify on behalf of artist’s rights, and has released seventeen albums over the last 25 years.
Chris Franjola (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $22)
Comedian Franjola hosts the podcast Cover to Cover, and is a regular on Lights Out with David Spade and Punchline.
Whitechapel (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $25 adv/$30, 16+)
Deathcore from Tennessee.
Dave Hill Group (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $12.50/$17.50)
LA guitarist Hill relocated to Orchard Park during the pandemic, and performs here with a quintet.
Open mic night (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 6pm)
Dragula Viewing Party & Drag Show (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm; $10)
Friday, 12/8
Christmas Rocks (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $30adv/$40)
Musicians of Buffalo include Jessie Galante, Bobby Lebel, and Billy Sheehan, leading a 13-piece rock group through some Christmas classics.
Michael Blackson (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, Fri/Sat 7 & 10pm, $22)
The “African King of Comedy” has appeared on Wild N’ Out, Hip-Hop Squares, and Couples Retreat, and in Next Friday and Coming 2 America, and hosts the podcast Modasucka.
Pop Holiday Drag Show (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm-midnight, $20)
Willa DeWhisp, Damsel ‘N Disdress, and Cella Rhee perform a holiday-themed drag show, with DJs Lydvicious and KatieBKind.
Blissmas (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 6pm, SOLD OUT)
Ballroom’s first annual holiday show, w/Better Lovers & Friends, It Dies Today, Callous Daoboys, Greyhaven, and Spaced.
The Hang (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $12.50/$17.50)
Vocalist Alex McArthur and multi-instrumentalist John Aaron Troy perform jazz favorites.
Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
Sing your favorite pop songs in front of a live band.
Comedy open mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)
The Great British Baking Show: Holidays (Netflix)
The holiday edition of the beloved baking competition returns for a sixth season.
Mr. Monk’s Last Case (Peacock)
Tony Shalhoub’s obsessive-compulsive detective returns for a TV movie.
New Movies This Week
Die Hard (Market Arcade 8)
Yes, we get it, it’s a Christmas movie. Just take full advantage of this chance to see one of the all-time great action flicks on the big screen, especially since this week’s arthouse releases, Poor Things, and Origin, didn’t make it to Buffalo.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (Disney+)
The third movie in the animated reboot of the series sees Greg trapped at home by a bilzzard.
Saturday 12/9
Oso Oso (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6:30pm, $28.50, 16+)
This pop-punk group began as a side project for State Lines’ Jade Lillitri, and his become his main gig. w/Carly Cosgrove & Kicksie.
The Dreamer (UB Center For the Arts, 3:30 & 5:15pm, $27)
This dance performance follows a young girl who watches the woods around her become a dreamlike realm.
Mersiv (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 8pm, $29.50, 18+)
Dark bass music, w/Sippy, Heyz, and more.
Keller Williams (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $25adv/$30)
Williams plays guitar with live sampling and looping, to create a kind of folk electronica.
Hot Club (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $12.50/$17.50)
This local jazz quartet incorporates everything from Bach to Hendrix to Steely Dan.
Doctor Who: The Giggle (Disney+)
David Tennant’s return as The Doctor continues, in the next in a series of 60th Annivesary Who specials.
Sunday 12/10
Cinderella (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, 6pm, $59-112)
The State Ballet Theater of Ukraine performs a ballet based on the timeless story, with a score by Sergei Prokofiev.
Impulse Dance Force (UB Center For the Arts, 3pm, $12)
This campus dance group performes their Fall 2023 showcase, Barbie World.
Santas of Swig (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 1pm, $20)
A fundraiser for the Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY.
Jaydense w/Sciandi, sebastn (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 6pm)
Monday 12/11
Jacolby Satterwhite (UB Center For the Arts, 6:30pm, FREE)
This contemporary artist who creates immersive installations gives a virtual talk as part of UB’s Visiting Speakers Series.
Tuesday 12/12
A Celtic Family Christmas (UB Center For the Arts, 7:30pm, $29-52)
Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy, and their even children perform traditional and original music.
Junior Jerry Jam (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 11am-2pm, $10, kids free)
A kid-friendy Grateful Dead tribute and holiday market, to benefit Buffalo String Works.
Tab Benoit & the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $35)
New Orleans blues guitarist backed by the city’s beloved horn ensemble.
Wednesday 12/13
The Mid-Week Vibe (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $30)
This month’s last!
