What’s Good – March 21-27, 2024
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
Thursday, 3/21
John Irving (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 7pm, $12-102)
The legendary author talks about his creative process, as part of Just Buffalo’s Babel series.
Rumsey Travel Award Exhibition (Lower Gallery, UB Center For the Arts, 7pm, $35-55, through 3/29)
An exhibition of artwork by the 2024 Evelyn Rumsey & Lord Travel Award competitors, and 2023 winners Avani Bodden and Micky Pearson.
Brad Upton (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm, $33)
Upton has over 160 million views on Dry Bar Comedy, and frequenty toured with the late, great Joan Rivers.
Consider the Source (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $18adv/$23, 18+)
A “sci-fi fusion trio.” With St. With.
It’s DeeAnn’s Time (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $12-15)
Gospel, blues, and soul singer, backed by a piano/bass/sax trio.
Ron Hawkins (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, $30,12+)
with Graven.
Poetry Open Mic & Game Night (26 Allen St, 6pm)
Co-hosted by Sara Ali and Meg Specksgoor
Karaoke Night (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)
Friday, 3/22
Ringling Bros. Circus (Keybank Center, 1 Seymour Knox Plaza, Fri 7pm, Sat 11am/3pm/7pm, Sun 11am/3pm, $27-$95)
The Greatest Show on Earth comes to Buffalo.
Paula Wachowiak (Paul Robeson Theater, 350 Masten Ave, Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 4pm, $25/$10 students)
A one-woman show, based on the Buffalo-based writer’s book The Polish Cleaning Lady’s Daughter.
Phil Hanley (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, Fri/Sat 7:30/10pm, $32)
Comedy Cellar regular Hanley also starred alongside Tim Heidecker in Sundowners, and in Amy Schumer’s I Feel Pretty.
Janice Mitchell & The Jim Beischline Trio (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $10-14)
Vocalist Mitchell has performed with Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Bobby Womack and more.
Kidd Kyle & the Big Deal (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6:30pm)
High energy jazz for all ages.
Brave the Sea (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St)
with Goblin Hovel, Tyranitar, Cemetery Echo.
Wheeler Walker Jr. (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, $45,18+)
with Logan Halstead.
John Crist (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, 7pm, $38-127)
The Emotional Support Tour.
The Prince Project (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7:30pm, $46-57)
A tribute to His Badness.
Analog Kids (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $20)
Rush tribute band.
Workingman’s Dead (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $15, 18+)
Grateful Dead tribute.
Dueling Pianos Band (Rec Room, 79 W. Chippewa St, 6:30pm, $5)
Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W. Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
Belt out the classics in front of a live band.
New Movies This Week
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (in wide release)
Ghosts are turning people to ice for some reason, in this legacyquel that combines the new and old cast and throws in Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt for good measure.
Immaculate (in wide release)
Sydney Sweeney is a young nun who has a virgin pregnancy while trapped in an increasingly creepy convent in this psychological horror film.
Sleeping Dogs (in wide release)
Russell Crowe is a homicide detective suffering from Alzheimer’s, who re-opens an old case when a mysterious woman (Karen Gillan) brings him new information.
Road House (Netflix)
Pain don’t hurt, but seeing Jake Gyllenhaal trying to fill Patrick Swayze’s shoes in this unneccessary remake might.
The Casagrandes Movie (Netflix)
The family from Nickelodeon’s The Loud House hit the big screen.
Om Bheem Bush (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
Three scientists looking for treasure in a remote town find black magic instead. In Telugu with subtitles.
Saturday 3/23
Nickel Creek (UB Center For the Arts, 7:30pm, $49-89)
The Grammy-winning folk trio of mandolinist Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins, and guitarist Sean Watkins.
That Comedy Show (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $10adv/$15, 18+)
Local stand-ups, including Eric Basile, Casey Callahan, TH3 Fox, Ryan Henry, Tyrone Maclin, and Thomas Patrice.
Shen Yun (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, Sat 7:30pm/Sun 2pm, $96-138)
This classical Chinese dance company combines ancient traditions and high-tech backdrops.
Nolan Taylor (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
This small-town singer grew up on both heartbroken country music and 90s alt-rock. With Zandi Holup.
Reese Fulmer & the Carriage House Band (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6pm)
A rotating cast of musicians perform indie folk music.
Lázara Martinez’s Havana Loops (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7pm, SOLD OUT)
Cuban violinist Martinez celebrates her birthday at PAUSA.
The Glam Vamps (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St)
Fresh Horses (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7pm, $51-72)
Garth Brooks tribute act.
World’s Largest ’90s Party (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, SOLD OUT)
Celtic Sessions (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 4:40pm, FREE)
Sunday 3/24
Guster (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, SOLD OUT)
The 90s alt-rock band is back on the We Also Have Eras Tour.
Ain’t Done Wild’n Out Yet (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $33)
Big JJ and Mope Williams from Wild ‘N Out are still performing together live.
Samantha Fish (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 6pm, $40.50adv/$46.50)
The dynamic young blues singer comes to town on her Bulletproof Tour.
John Bacon (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 4-6pm)
Bacon performs as part of Duende’s Sunday Jazz Series.
Laveda (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St)
with Garden Closet, Elemantra.
Monday 3/25
Canadian Jazz Collective (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, 7:30pm)
Mom Jeans (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 6pm, $35, 16+)
with Summer Salt, Hunny.
Tuesday 3/26
Amanda Gorman (UB Center For the Arts, 7pm, $35-55)
America’s first Youth Poet Laureate speaks as part of UB’s Distinguished Speakers Series.
River Butcher (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $28)
Esquire called Butcher’s special A Different Kind of Dude “a masterclass in culture war commentary,” and when not performing stand-up, he’s appeared in Take My Wife, Good Trouble, Adam Ruins Everything, and Friendsgiving.
Faculty Recital: Eric Huebner (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, 7:30pm, $10/UB students FREE)
A celebration of composter Roger Reynold’s 90th birthday, including the world premiere of his Piano Études, Book II: Extensions.
Open Mic (Cucina @ Hotel Richardson, 444 Forest Ave, 6-8pm)
This weekly open mic features music, poetry, and comedy. Register at jkonze@douglasdev.com.
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 3/27
Susan Narucki and Curtis Macomber (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, 7:30pm)
Soprano Narucki and violinist Macomber perform a multi-movement work based on the diaries of Franz Kafka.
Underground Springhouse (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $8adv/$10, 18+)
This Athens group plays reggae, country, and funk-influenced rock.
Eric Eaton (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $33)
This magician has won a Merlin Award, and has appeared on Masters of Illusion.
The 69 Eyes (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 6:30pm, $39, 16+)
with The Bites, Budderside, Loveboxx.
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)
