What’s Good – December 21-27, 2023

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

Thursday, 12/21

Annie (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, Thu-Sat 7pm/Fri & Sat 1pm, $50-$102)
The classic musical about the ophan plucked from a hard knock life to live with a millionaire. This week only.

Hamell on Trial (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $15)
Folk-punk legend Hamell was a WRUB favorite back in the day. Don’t miss his show at 9th Ward. w/Velvet Bethany.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6pm)
The Trio (Ed Croft, David Wasik, and Ivan Docenko) perform the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Kam Patterson (Helium, 30 Mississippi St., 9:30pm, $22)
Patterson has been doing stand-up since age 10, and has a regular spot on Kill Tony when not touring the country.

Studio Artist Show (Buffalo Arts Studio, 2495 Main St, suite 500., Thu/Fri 11-5, Sat 10-2)
Local artists exhibit and sell their work at Buffalo Arts Studio’s annual event.

Hipnosis (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St., 9:30pm, FREE)
This Tragically Hip tribute act re-creates the band’s Woodstock ’99 set.

Karaoke (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 8:30pm)

Friday, 12/22

Sandy Claus: Out of the Claus-et (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $15adv/$20)
A live interview with Kris Kringle’s older, gayer, drunker sister, in this comedy show from Kristen Becker.

Justin Silva (Helium, 30 Mississippi St., 7:30/10pm, $26)
Orlando comic Silva haas nearly 5 million TikTok followers.

Femmefest: A Birthday Jam (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St., 7pm, $17)
Not only do you get a lineup of female-fronted bands, including Tsavo Highway, Diyené, Blaised and Confused, and SMAC!, anyone with a December birthday gets a free drink, and can comiserate having a birthday close to Christmas.

Jay/Sharptet (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6pm)
Jacob Jay and Dalton Sharp perform original Miles Davis-inspired jazz.

Tribute to Joe Strummer (Mohawk Place, 47 E Mohawk St, 7pm, $12adv/$15)
A 21st annual tribute to the Clash frontman on the annivesary of his death.

The Great Bluesky Revival (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, $20adv/$25, 12+)
A tribute to the Allman Brothers Band.

Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
Sing your favorite pop songs in front of a live band.

What If…? (Disney+)
Marvel’s animated alternate-comics-history series returns.

New Movies This Week

The Iron Claw (In wide release)
Zac Efron is at the center of a family of professional wrestlers who find triumph in the ring and tragedy outside of it, in A24’s first inspirational sports biopic.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (In wide release)
Aquaman has to protect his undersea kingdom from rival Black Manta in DC’s latest superhero movie.

Anyone But You (In wide release)
Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell meet cute in this romcom based on Much Ado About Nothing.

Migration (In wide release)
A couple of ducks (Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks) have to shepherd their children south for the winter via New York City, where they’re menaced by a gang of pigeons (Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key) in Illumination’s latest animated kids’ movie.

Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire (Elmwood Center)
The son of a raja (Prithviraj Sukumaran) narrowly escapes a coup attempt against his father, and returns for revenge with his best friend (Prabhas). In Telugu w/English subtitles.

Dunki (Elmwood Center, Walden Galleria)
Four Punjabi friends try to emigrate to England via an illegal “donkey flight” in this comedy-drama. In Hindi w/English subtitles.

Saturday 12/23

Irene Tu (Helium, 30 Mississippi St., 7:30/10pm, $10/$28)
Tu was named one of Vulture‘s “Comedians You Should and Will Know” in 2019, and has opened for the likes of Patton Oswalt, W. Kamau Bell, Brian Posehn, and Cameron Esposito.

A Souland Christmas (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St., 7pm, $10)
It’s Christmas in July in Reverse, as Buffalo’s summertime Souland Music Festival makes its way into the holiday season.

Fever Pitch String Quartet (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 1-2pm)
The quintet performs holiday favorites as part of their Minuets & Mimosas series.

Doug Yeomans, Jim Whitford, John Brians, Jim Sweet (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 7-9pm)

Monday 12/25

Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road (Disney+)
The 60th Anniversary Who specials continue, as Ncuta Gatwa gets his first outing as the Fifteenth Doctor.

Tuesday 12/26

Post-Xmas Punk & Art Show (Mohawk Place, 47 E Mohawk St, 6pm, $10)
With Del Paxton, Catch the Ghost, Gas Station, Patchwork, and akloh.

The Steam Donkeys (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8:30pm)

Rustbelt Comedy Showcase (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 9pm, FREE)

Open Mic Night (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 6-9pm)

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

Wednesday 12/27

Home For the Holidays (Helium, 30 Mississippi St., 8pm, $20)
A showcase of homegrown comedic talent, including Kristen Becker, Zach Dietsch, Max Kaczor, Jon Schuta, and Luke Tuoma.

Silo City in the Round (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
Sara Elizabeth, Grace Greenan, and Spud present a night of storytelling and songwriting as part of Silo City’s monthly songwriter circle.

Joe Gatto (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony CIrcle, 7pm, $40.75-$100.75)
Comedian Gatto has appeared in Impractical Jokes and The Misery Index, and hosts comedy podcast Two Cool Moms.