What’s Good – May 9-15, 2024
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
Thursday, 5/9
Professor Tyrone Williams Memorial (UB Poetry Collection, 420 Capen Hall, 11am)
Colleagues, students, and friends gather to honor the life of Tyrone Williams, the David Gray Chair of Poetry and Leetters at UB, and author of seven books of poetry. He died of cancer on March 11 at age 70. The memorial with include memories shared by those close to him, and readings from his poetry and schoarly work.
Tim Meadows (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, Fri 7:30pm/10pm, $32)
The SNL alum, Bob’s Burgers regular, and Ladies Man, takes a break from his busy acting schedule for a stand-up tour. 2-for-1 Date Night tickets also available.
Yoonmi Nam: Among Other Things (UB Center For the Arts Gallery, first floor, through 6/21)
Nam deconstructs everyday objects and reconsiders them as scupture.
Wuon-Gean Ho: The Heart’s Sight (UB Center For the Arts Gallery, second floor, through 6/21)
A broad selection of Ho’s work from the past 15 years, including prints, books, and short films.
Merrily We Roll Along (Shea’s Smith Theater, 658 Main St, Thu/Fri 7:30pm, Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm, through 5/12, $40-53)
One of Stephen Sondheim’s most personal musicals, it’s based on the turbulent friendship between composer Franklin Shephard and the lyricist and playright who were his lifelong friends.
Once (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, Thu/Fri 7:30pm, Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm, through 5/19, $40-50)
A stage version of the 2007 film about a love affair between two musicians in Dublin.
Gavel (Days Park, 253 Allen St, 7pm, $15, 18+, under 18 w/parent)
Hamilton hardcore band, backed by local hardcore bands Hold Out, 100% Pure, and K-Hole.
Koolulam (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $25)
This mass singing experience is described as “an awe-inspiring immersive and fun journey.” And it’s being studied by UB researchers, so there’s a chance you might get paid to fill out a survey afterwards!
Buffalo Corner Reading Series: Mystery Night (Congregation Shir Shalom, 4660 Sheridan Dr, Amherst, 7-8:30pm, FREE)
The lineup includes novelist Gary Earl Ross, and mystery writers Terez Peipens, Susan Lynn Solomon, and Lissa Marie Redmond.
Charlie Coughlin (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
Irish-American folk music on guitar, fiddle, and bouzouki.
Eggy (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $16adv/$18, 18+)
Tickets include $1 donation to Backline.Care. w/Organ Fairchild
Sawyer Hill (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa, 7pm, $20, 16+)
w/The Burkharts
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)
Welcome to Wrexham (FX)
This docuseries, in which Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney try and run England’s 3rd-oldest soccer club returns for its third series.
Friday, 5/10
Jon Batiste (Mainstage Theater, UB Center for the Arts, 8pm, $54-$134)
The Soul composer and Late Show bandleader performs solo at the piano.
Dancers Workshop (Katharine Cornell Theater, Ellicott Complex, Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sat 2pm, $22/$7 UB students)
Lily Colligan directs this showcase of talent from UB’s Department of Theater and Dance.
Quintin Harris (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7pm, $19-25)
Solo piano & vocals playing the Great American Songbook
Idiom (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 7pm, $5adv/$10)
w/MXNX, Ruth Taylor
Broadway Meats Buffalo (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, 6pm, $10)
Meat is raffled off to benefit the theater. Only in Buffalo.
Cat & Nat (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $50.50)
Their “Reckless Abandonment” comedy tour promises audience participation, surprise guest apperances, impromptu challenges, and more.
Silent Disco (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa, 8pm, $12.50)
3 channels of music: Hip Hip/R&B, Top 40/Pop, and one simply called “Music.”
El Scorcho (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, $20, 16+, 12+w/guardian)
The band performs Weezer’s Blue Album in its entirely for the album’s 30th anniversary. w/Off the Wall, Kurt & the Loders
Scarlet Begonias (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $15, 18+)
Grateful Dead cover band
The Skiffle Minstrels (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
Western Swing dance band.
Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W. Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
Belt out your favorite ’90s hits in front of a live band.
Doctor Who (Disney+)
Ncuti Gatwa takes over full-time as the Fifteenth Doctor, after being introduced in a series of specials earlier in the year.
New Movies This Week
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (in wide release)
The fourth installment in the rebooted series takes place 300 years after the previous film, and sees a damned dirty ape (Owen Teague) working together with a human woman (Freya Allan) to try and overthrow a tyrannical ape ruler.
Poolman (not screening in Buffalo!)
Chris Pine directs and stars in this Lebowski-esque LA shaggy dog noir. with Annette Bening, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Danny DeVito, and a slew of terrific character actors.
Strikanth (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave.)
Biopic of a visually-impaired entrepreneur who founded a company that employed disabled inviduals and made eco-friendly products. In Hindi with subtitles.
Star (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave.)
A young man (Kavin) struggles to find stardom as an actor, in this romantic drama. In Tamil with subtitles.
Saturday 5/11
Beth Stelling (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm/10pm, $32)
Stelling’s Netflix special If You Didn’t Want Me Then was on every Best of 2023 list. She’s also written for Rick and Morty, Strange Planet, and Crashing.
Infekt (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8:30pm, $19.50, 18+)
Dubstep DJ. w/Automhate, Mad Dubz, Laz-R
Lord Bishop Rocks (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 7pm, $10)
w/Tender Loving Medication, The Evil Things, Iron Fist
David Jonathan & the Inner City (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7pm, $16-19)
They bill themselves as “The World’s Most Dangerous Band,” although Paul Schaeffer might have something to say about that.
Bell Canto String Quartet (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 1-2pm)
The quartet will perform a mixture of classical and modern pop music as part of Silo City’s Mimosas & Minutes brunch music series.
The Gripers 4 (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
Yacht Rock from the golden age of AM radio.
The Emo Night Tour (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, $20, 18+)
Town Balroom gave no indication as to what this night involves.
Celtic Sessions (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 4:40pm, FREE)
Sunday 5/12
Impulse Dance Force Spring Showcase (CFA Drama Theater, UB Center for the Arts, 3pm, $12).
Senior Dance Showcase (Katharine Cornell Theater, Ellicott Complex, Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sat 2pm, $22/$7 UB students)
Student co-directors Morgan Mahoney and Mia Pierce present graduating dance majors performing their own choreography.
Rodrigo y Gabriela (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $45)
This duo went from busking in Dublin to worldwide stardom, playing a combination of classic rock, heavy metal, and flamenco. w/OKAN
The Susan Peters Jazz Band (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
Free Mother’s Day blossoms for every mom!
Monday 5/13
Secrets (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa, 7pm, $20, 16+)
w/Colorblind, Glasslands, Unwell, Fractured Fortune
The Furious Bongos (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $20)
Frank Zappa tribute featuring members of his son Dweezil’s band.
Tuesday 5/14
Decent Criminal (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 7pm, $12adv/$15)
w/Spit Sisters, West Ferry, Karma Queen
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 5/15
Bad Bad Hats (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $20adv/$25)
Minneapolis indie-pop duo. w/Pronoun
Tired Radio (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 7pm, $10)
w/Skyway, Robbery Club, Catch the Ghost
Open Mic Night (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, Fri 7, FREE)
See if you’ve got what it takes to make a crowd of strangers laugh. Free, but must reserve a spot.
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)