What’s Good – September 19-25, 2024
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of sports and pop culture.
Thursday, 9/19
Pete Holmes (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $39)
The star of Crashing, How We Roll, and The Pete Holmes Show, as well as host of the podcast You Made It Weird comes through town on a stand-up tour.
Giordano Dance Chicago (Mainstage Theater, UB Center for the Arts, 7:30pm, $30/FREE to UB students)
A performance by America’s longest-running dance company.
Cowboy Junkies (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $45)
This Canadian folk-rock group’s most famous album, The Trinity Sessions, was recorded inside a cathedral in Toronto, so what better venue to see them at than converted church Asbury Hall?
UB Women’s Soccer @ Akron
The 5-0-2 women’s soccer team hopes to keep their undefeated streak rolling in their first division game.
Who Told You That You Were Naked? (Gallery, UB Center for the Arts, through 2/23/25)
Local artist Gary L. Wolfe’s interactive installation, on the theme of vulnarability, privacy, and surveillance.
Newsies (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7:30pm, $54.75)
D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre company presents a stage adaptation of the 1992 movie musical.
Phosphorescent (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $44, 16+)
Alabama singer-songwriter Matthew Houck.
Mihali (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $25adv/$30, 18+)
Reggae-inflected singer-songwriter. w/Dry Reef
Hot Club of Buffalo (Darwin Martin House, 125 Jewett Pkwy, 5:30-7:30pm, FREE)
The local jazz group plays an all-acousting show outside of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural treasure.
Buffalo Corner Reading Series (Congregation Shir Shalom, 4660 Sheridan Drive, Amhrest, 7pm, FREE)
Poets Celeste Lawson and Jonathan Cohen read. Also livestreamed at shirshalombuffalo.org
Alex McArthur Quartet (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $16-$19)
Whitford Klyma Band (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
Blue Grass All Stars (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, noon, FREE)
Eberwine & Friends (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $10)
Improv Mixer (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7:30pm, $5 suggested)
Join in some low-stakes improv comedy, or just sit back and watch!
Poetry Open Mic & Game Night (Twentysixallen, 26 Allen St, 6pm)
Co-hosted by Sara Ali and Meg Specksgoor
Karaoke Night (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)
Friday, 9/20
No Exit (Katharine Cornell Theatre, Ellicott Complex, 7:30, $22/$7 UB students)
Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialist drama, in which Hell is other people.
10 x 5: 50 Years of Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center (Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court, 5:30-8pm, FREE)
Since December of 1974, Hallwalls has hosted over 6,500 events, featuring 8,000 artists. This exhibition will showcase the gallery’s impact on Buffalo and the art world through the decades.
Pete Holmes (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30/10pm, $39)
The star of Crashing, How We Roll, and The Pete Holmes Show, as well as host of the podcast You Made It Weird comes through town on a stand-up tour.
UB Men’s Tennis: Bulls Invite (Miller Tennis Center, 5959 Sheridan Dr, Williamsville, noon, FREE)
Enjoy a rare chance to see the tennis team on their home turf.
Newsies (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7:30pm, $54.75)
D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre company presents a stage adaptation of the 1992 movie musical.
Atlas Genius (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm, $20, 16+)
Australian alt-rock band made up of three brothers and another guy.
Redd & the Paper Flowers (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm, $10)
Knoxville folk group that includes cello and upright bass. w/jponcello, Mini Marching Machine, HitGRL
Kameron Marlowe (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $42, 16+)
Country singer who came to fame on season 15 of The Voice.
Pervical Everett (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, FREE)
The author of 24 novels (including Erasure, which was adapted into 2023 film American Fiction, and his latest book James, a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective) gives a talk as part of the Buffalo Humanities Festival.
The Dave Hill Group (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $15-$17.50)
An evening of West Coast Jazz.
Kyle Yagielski’s Flow Bros (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 7-9pm)
“Funky tunes from groovy guys.”
The Informers (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 6pm, $10)
Ten Cent Howl (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, 5pm, $10)
Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
Belt out your favorites in front of a live band.
New Movies This Week
The Substance (in wide release)
An aging influencer (Demi Moore) is given a mysterious substance that creates a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley).
A Different Man (not screening in Buffalo)
Edward (Sebastian Stan) is cured of a severe facial deformity, and then becomes obsessed with a man with a similar deformity (Adam Pearson) who plays Edward in a play based on his life.
Transformers One (in wide release)
The series has moved on from Michael Bay, but is still more than happy to overpay overqualified actors, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburn, and Jon Hamm.
Never Let Go (in wide release)
Halle Berry and her twin sons fight a malevolent spirit, in Alexandre Aja’s latest horror film.
Wolfs (Apple TV)
George Clooney and Brad Pitt reunite as two criminal “fixers” who are forced to work together despite being lone wolves.
Jung Kook: I Am Still (Transit Center, Walden Galleria)
Interviews and concert footage of the former BTS singer. In Korean with subtitles.
Kadaisi Ulaga Por (Elmwood Center)
Hiphop Tamizhi wrote, directed, and stars in this sci-fi war movie in which WWIII breaks out in the near future. In Tamil with subtitles.
Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam (Elmwood Center)
A wedding crasher falls in love with the bride in this romantic comedy. In Hindi with subtitles.
Sucha Soorma (Elmwood Center)
The epic story of the eponymous folk hero. In Punjabi with subtitles.
Yudhra (Elmwood Center)
Siddhant Chaturvedi has to overcome his own personal demons in order to bring down a drug syndicate. In Hindi with subtitles.
Saturday 9/21
No Exit (Katharine Cornell Theatre, Ellicott Complex, 7:30, $22/$7 UB students)
Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialist drama, in which Hell is other people.
Pete Holmes (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 10pm, $39)
The star of Crashing, How We Roll, and The Pete Holmes Show, as well as host of the podcast You Made It Weird comes through town on a stand-up tour. (7:30 show sold out)
Pulaski Festival (Niagara Square)
Celebrate Buffalo’s Polish heritage with this annual festival.
Buffalo Sabres vs Pittsburgh Penguins (KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour Knox Plaza)
Summer weather’s still hanging on, but preseason hockey is already upon us.
UB Men’s Tennis: Bulls Invite (Miller Tennis Center, 5959 Sheridan Dr, Williamsville, noon, FREE)
Enjoy a rare chance to see the tennis team on their home turf.
UB Football @ Northern Illinois
Coming off a 34-3 home win against UMass, the Bulls face a challenge in #23 Northern Illinois.
UB Women’s Volleyball: Florida Gators Invite vs. North Texas
After a 4-0 start, the volleyball team is on a losing streak they hope to snap by messing with Texas.
UB Cross Country @ Yellowjacket Invite
The Cross Country team competes in Rochester.
The Price Is Right Live (Shea’s, 650 Main St, 7:30pm, $41-$92)
A handful of audience members will get to “Come On Down” and play the classic game show on stage. (not televised)
Newsies (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 8pm, $54.75)
D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre company presents a stage adaptation of the 1992 movie musical.
Adventure Club (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave. #207, 7:30, $10adv/$15)
Improv teams comprised of BIH students and local performers.
Joey Harkum (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $15adv/$20, 18+)
The singer from Pasadena (the band, not the town) performs as a solo singer-songwriter. w/Higher Education
Walter Kemp 3 (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $16-$19)
“Solo, Duets, Trios and More”
BCQ 2.0 (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 1-2pm)
Lee Ron Zydeco (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
This zydeco accordian player has performed with everyone from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band to the Four Tops.
Dave Matthews Tribute Band (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $27, 16+)
It’s right there in the name.
Workingmans Dead (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 8pm, $15)
Grateful Dead tribute band.
Meet Me In the Bathroom (Electric City, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $8-$10)
All-vinyl Indie sleaze dance party
Past Masters (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, 3pm, $10)
Rest to Vinyl (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $10)
Bidwell Parkway Farmers Market (Bidwell Parkway, 8am-1pm)
Fresh produce and locally-sourced goods, Saturdays through 11/23.
Celtic Sessions (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 4-7pm, FREE)
Sunday 9/22
Soulja Boy (Electric City, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $28-$103)
The Atlanta rapper turns his swag on. w/Don Diesel
Meatball Street Brawl (Osteria 166, 166 Franklin St, noon-5pm)
Mohawk St. will be shut down as the best Italian chefs in town put their meatballs to the test, alongside bear, wine, bread, and antacid!
UB Women’s Soccer vs. Eastern Michigan (UB Stadium, 1pm)
The undefeated-as-of-press-time team hosts the division rival Eagles.
UB Tennis: Bulls Invite (Miller Tennis Center, 5959 Sheridan Dr, Williamsville, FREE)
10:30am: Women vs. St. Bonaventure; 6pm: Women vs. Niagara; no listings available for men’s matches, but presumably they happen between the two women’s matchups.
UB Women’s Volleyball: Florida Gators Invite vs Florida
The Bulls face the #13-ranked home team.
Newsies (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 2pm, $54.75)
D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre company presents a stage adaptation of the 1992 movie musical.
Zoltan Kaszas (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $33)
Taylor Tomlinson called Kazas “the funniest, most prolific comic alive,” and The Atlantic called him a “breakout star.”
Demun Jones (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
This Georgia rapper rhymes over acoustic guitar. w/Dry Reef
12 Pack Jack (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, 4pm, $10)
The Wazmopolitans (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 4-6pm)
Anne Philippone (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
Barrelhouse blues and boogie piano.
Jazz Cache (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8:30pm-midnight, FREE)
Live music from a rotating cast of Buffalo jazz musicians.
Monday 9/23
Jon Spencer (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $20adv/$25, 16+)
The erstwhile Blues Explosion frontman brings his high-energy rock show to town.
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Bills try for their third straight win on Monday Night Football.
Isaac Jarnot (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, FREE)
Jarnot discusses his life as a poet, the tension between traditional and experimental writing, and the tradition of countercultural spirituality that runs through American poetry.
Songwriter Showcase (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm0mid, FREE)
Singer-songwriters from 8-9, and then an open mic for the rest of the evening.
Tuesday 9/24
Some Like it Hot (Shea’s, 650 Main St, 7:30pm, $53-$112)
The Tony-Award-winning musical based on the classic Jack Lemmon-Tony Curts-Marilyn Monroe comedy.
No Time (Area 54, 3234 Main St, 6pm, $10)
Pittsburgh Oi! punks. w/Sweet Talker, Autoignition, Monomaniac.
Cactus Tate (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $33)
Tate tackles taboo topics with wit and charm.
Geno & Frank (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, noon, FREE)
Twang Gang (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, 6pm, $10)
Steam Donkeys (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8:30pm, FREE)
Long-serving “cosmic Americana” group
The Stripteasers (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 10pm-mid, $4)
Weekly burlesque show.
Open Mic (Cucina @ Hotel Richardson, 444 Forest Ave, 6-8pm)
This weekly open mic features music, poetry, and comedy. Register at jkonze@douglasdev.com.
Open Mic Night (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 6-9pm)
Wednesday 9/25
Great Lake Swimmers (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Critically acclaimed Toronto indie folk group. w/Tough Old Bird, Abe Partridge
Extreme & Living Colour (Riviera Theater, 67 Webster St, N Tonawanda, 8pm, $51-90)
Two legendary groups that were at the forefront of the “alternative” movement of the 1990s.
Some Like it Hot (Shea’s, 650 Main St, 7:30pm, $53-$112)
The Tony-Award-winning musical based on the classic Jack Lemmon-Tony Curts-Marilyn Monroe comedy.
Andrew Conn (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $28)
Conn’s outlandish storytelling has made him a star on social media and on stage.
Joe Baudo Jazz Quintet (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, noon, FREE)
Jamie Holka (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 49 Illinois St, 6pm, $10)
Comienzos (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 9pm, $5)
Improvisational music from around the world.
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)