What’s Good – Sept 26-Oct 2, 2024
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of sports and pop culture.
Thursday, 9/26
David Koechner (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $28)
The Second City and SNL alum is best-known for his roles in Anchorman and The Office.
UB Women’s Soccer @ Western Michigan
Women’s soccer are on an incredible run, starting the season 7-0-2, and hope to keep their undefeated streak going on the road against the defending MAC champions.
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.
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.
Buffalodown: Only Human (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 6pm, $13)
7pm talk with author Frank Gullo and advocate India Walton; 8:15 concert w/Grosh and DJ Sike
The Japanese House (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 7pm, $35-$90)
Amber Bain sings sad and sexy pop earworms. w/Venus & the Flytraps
CKY (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 6:30pm, $38adv/$45, 18+)
Anarchic hard-rock skate punks. w/Crobot, Chase the Comet
Guabaza (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $19-$25)
Latin roots music.
Fourth Friday Reading Series (Dog Ears Books, 668 Abbott Rd, 2nd floor, $5)
This month’s featured reader is poet and playwright Mark Lloyd. Additional slots available.
Workplace Residency (Squeaky Wheel, 2495 Main St)
Applications open for a residency at Squeaky Wheel, including paid stipend, equipment, and technical consultation. Application deadline October 25. Apply on the web site.
Ground and Sky Open Mic Reading Series (Healing Grounds, 220 Grant St, FREE)
Lunch Bunch (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, noon, FREE)
Live Dead & Brothers (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 7pm, $35)
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, 9/27
Almost, Maine (Katharine Cornell Theater, Ellicott Complex, 7:30pm, $22, $7 UB Students, 13+)
Hearts are broken and knees are bruised in an almost-a-town so far north it’s almost in Canada.
The Marriage of Figaro (Buff State Performing Arts Center, 7:30pm, $41/$12 student)
Buffalo Opera Unlimited performs Mozart’s classic. In Italian, with English subtitled projected.
Jacquees (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, $46, 18+)
Platinum-selling self-proclaimed “King of R&B”
David Koechner (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30/10pm, $28)
The Second City and SNL alum is best-known for his roles in Anchorman and The Office.
That Comedy Show (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Featured comics include Mark Debonis, Liz Reaves, Andy Ticco, and Greg Bauch, plus host Kevin Thomas Jr.
UB Volleyball @ Western Michigan
After an 0-3 start, Volleyball has hit a rough patch, and at 4-9 are hoping to turn things around in this road doubleheader.
Tom Segura: Come Together (KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour Knox Plaza, 8pm, $49-163)
Segura’s stand-up comedy tour has been selling out around the globe.
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.
Given Half a Chance (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $22adv/$25/$12 students)
Six actors are given a script… six comedians are not, in this half-improvised show.
Good Neighbors! (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 8:3-pm, $22adv/$25)
An improv comedy show inspired by stories from notable Buffalonians. This week’s guest is food critic (and UB professor) Andrew Galarneau. Proceeds to go local community cafe Big Big Table.
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.
Buffalo Jazz Composers Workshop (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $16-$19)
2000s Night (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 9:30pm, $8-$30)
Ready to feel old? We’re already nostalgic for the George W. Bush era, as this dance party can attest.
The Kensingtons (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 5pm, $10)
Black Sabbitch (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 9pm, $20)
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 Wild Robot (in wide release)
Lupita Nyong’o voices a robot who has to find a purpose after becoming stranded on an island full of friendly animals (Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames) in this charming animated feature based on the children’s bestseller.
Megalopolis (in wide release)
Francis Ford Coppola’s long-delayed dream project is a glorious mess, in which rival architects Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito vie to rebuild a futuristic city. with Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LeBeouf, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, and Jason Schwartzman.
Saturday Night (in wide release)
Director Jason Reitman recounts the tense 90 minutes before Saturday Night Live‘s first-ever episode.
Azrael (in wide release)
Mute post-apocalypic cultists hunt down Samara Weaving after she escapes imprisonment in this horror film.
Apartment 7A (Paramount+)
Julia Garner is a young dancer who rents a NYC apartment from a sinsite older couple, in this questionably-necessary prequel to Rosemary’s Baby.
Killer Heat (Amazon Prime)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a detective who investigates when a love triangle involving twin brothers turns violent.
Rez Ball (Netflix)
An all-Native American high school basketball team compete for a state championship after losing their star player. Director Sydney Freeland co-wrote with Reservation Dogs creator Sterlin Harjo, and LeBron James is on board as a producer.
She Taught Love (Hulu)
A self-destructive man and a woman facing death fall for each other.
Devara: Part 1 (Elmwood Center, Walden Galleria)
N.T. Rama Rao Jr. takes a perilous sea journey to safeguard his community, not realizing his brother is home plotting against him, in this decade-spanning epic. In Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu with subtitles. Check listings.
Meiyazhagan (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave.)
Aravind Swamy returns to his hometown after 22 years, and lost memories begin to resurface, in this comedy-drama. In Tamil with subtitles.
Shukrana (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave.)
A close-knit rural family navigates marriage proposals, pregnancies, and a tragedy that threatens to tear them apart. In Punjabi with subtitles.
Saturday 9/28
Iris Dement (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
The peerless folksinger is touring behind her 2023 album Workin’ On a World. Not to be missed. w/Ana Egge
Almost, Maine (Katharine Cornell Theater, Ellicott Complex, 7:30pm, $22, $7 UB Students, 13+)
Hearts are broken and knees are bruised in an almost-a-town so far north it’s almost in Canada.
The Marriage of Figaro (Buff State Performing Arts Center, 7:30pm, $41/$12 student)
Buffalo Opera Unlimited performs Mozart’s classic. In Italian, with English subtitled projected.
David Koechner (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 4:30/7:30/10pm, $28)
The Second City and SNL alum is best-known for his roles in Anchorman and The Office. The 4:30 show is “Office Trivia with the Real Todd Packer;” the later shows are stand-up.
Buffalo Indie Lit Expo (683 Northland Ave, 10am-4pm, FREE, all ages)
Local publisher Band of Bards presents this first annual event for local and regional authors, artists, and creators.
UB Football @ UConn
At 3-1, the Bulls have already won as many games as they did last season, following an 23-20 overtime win over nationally-ranked Northern Illinois. They hope to keep the streak going against their second straight opponent called the Huskies.
UB Volleyball @ Western Michigan
The second game of a road doubleheader.
Some Like it Hot (Shea’s, 650 Main St, 2pm/8pm, $53-$112)
The Tony-Award-winning musical based on the classic Jack Lemmon-Tony Curts-Marilyn Monroe comedy.
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.
Joshua Bell (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 7pm, $31-137)
Violinist Bell opens the season, performing Hagen, Stravinsky, and Wieniawski on a 300-year-old Stradivarius.
Walk to End Alzheimers (Outer Harbor: Lakeside Lawn, 901 Fuhrmann Blvd, 9:30am)
No fee to walk, but participants are encouraged to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association, who provide care and support for Alzheimers patients, and fund research towards prevetment, treatment, and a cure.
$UICIDEBOY$ (KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour Knox Plaza, 8pm, $33-167)
Dark, abrasive New Orleans hip-hop duo. w/Denzel Curry, Pouya, Haarper, Shakewell, Ekkstacy
Upsahl (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm, $16, 16+)
Pop singer from Phoenix. w/Conor Burns, Zoe Ko
Wilcox Mansion (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 7pm, $13)
w/Huffer Vermin, Echolocator
Open House & Reading Celebration (Just Buffalo Literary Center, 468 Washington St, 2:30-5:30pm, FREE)
Readings by young writers participating in JBLC’s programs.
Student Showcase (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 6pm, $10adv/$12)
BIH’s students perform a musical version of improv format “The Spokane”.
Killer Queen (Mainstage Theater, UB Center for the Arts, 8pm, $43-63, $5 off students)
Queen tribute.
Club XCX (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 9:30pm, $17-$30, 18+)
DJ Winnie Wanders spins Charli’s best tunes and more.
Thomas Marinaro Quartet (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $17-$29)
Dee’s Grand Isle Opry (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 3pm, $10)
Gold Rush (Neil Young Tribute) (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 8pm, $20adv/$25)
Dr. Jazz & the Jazzbugs (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 3:30pm, FREE)
We’re not sure, but we think they play jazz.
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 9/29
Neko Case (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $48.50)
The Canadian singer-songwriter is a must-see, whether on her own or with The New Pornographers. w/Imaad Wasif
Roland E. Martin/Sidney King Faculty Recital (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, 3pm, FREE)
Pianist Martin and bassist King perform new works by both performers.
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens
The Bills face their biggest test of the season against Lamar “Action” Jackson and the Ravens.
UB Women’s Soccer vs. Northern Illinois (UB Stadium, 1pm)
The undefeated-as-of-press-time team hosts the Huskies, who went into the week with only one loss.
Some Like it Hot (Shea’s, 650 Main St, 1pm/6:30pm, $53-$112)
The Tony-Award-winning musical based on the classic Jack Lemmon-Tony Curts-Marilyn Monroe comedy.
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.
Drag Brunch (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 10:30/11/11:30am, $56, 18+)
Three seatings for an all-you-can-eat buffet, followed by a show at noon.
Bikini Trill (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
SoCal group that mixes electronica, hip-hop, and guitar rock. w/Hip Monarch
Hubcaps Reunion (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 4pm)
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 9/30
Haley Blais (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $15adv/$18)
This Vancouver songwriter displays her wry sense of humor on her new album Wisecrack. w/Wormy
Buffalo Sabres vs Detroit Red Wings (KeyBank Arena, 1 Seymour Knox Plaza, 7pm, $5-62)
Another preseason matchup, with the Sabres’ regular season 10 days away.
Black Rock Historical Society Fundraiser (Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St, no time listed)
Tom Robert (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
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 10/1
Social Distortion (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, $59, 16+)
The first of two shows rescheduled from July from the punk legends. All tickets from original date will be honored.
Brown Bag Concert (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, noon, FREE)
Informal performance by UB students and faculty. Audiences are invited to bring a bag lunch.
The Holdup (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 7pm, $16, 16+)
The “I Owe the IRS 60K Dollars” Tour. w/Noah Richardson, Dylan Reese
Trevor Hall (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 7pm, $39-$89)
Roots/reggae/folk singer-songwriter. w/Yaima
Silver Arrow Band (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, FREE)
Robin Trower had to cancel, so the Arrows were happy to step in with a free night of new and old material.
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 10/2
Social Distortion (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 7pm, $59, 16+)
The second of two shows rescheduled from July from the punk legends. All tickets from original date will be honored.
The Mid-Week Vibe (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $30, 16+)
The Vibe celebrates it’s 2-year anniversary with an overstuffed lineup that includes Kissena, Chuck Brown, Anthony Dounte, Julian Russell, DPonDrums, Rod Bonner, Tamika Kennedy, Brandon Josey, Carlton Wilcox, Raegene Denise, Jusha Vacanti, Will Holton, Kissena Frazier, Chelse Chambers, Bakari Smith, and free pizza and wings from Bozzy’s while supplies last!
Switchfoot (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 7pm, $39-$89)
Touring for the 20th anniversary of their debut album, The Beautiful Letdown. w/Lostboycrow
Witch Perfect (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7:30pm, $33-$72)
Three drag superstars — Scarlet Envy, Tina Burner, and ALexi Michelle — share the stage for a Halloween-themed show. Pre-show meet & greet line forms at 6:30.
Filippo and Giangiacomo (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, $10)
A night of gypsy jazz guitar.
Ben Brainard (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $39)
Brainard came to fame during the pandemic producing “The Table,” a current-events-based sketch series.
Moontricks (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $18adv/$20, 18+)
Electro-folk duo from Western Canada. w/Will Evans
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)
