What’s Good: November 14-20, 2024
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of sports and pop culture.
Thursday, 11/14
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 7:30pm, $19-$50)
Six quirkly adolescents compete in a spelling bee in this Tony-winning musical comedy.
Jae Skeese (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 7pm, $20)
Introspective Buffalo rapper.
Legally Blonde (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7pm, $19-$50)
Nardin Academy students perform the state adaptation of the beloved 2001 film.
UB Men’s Basketball vs. Bryant (Alumni Arena, 7pm, $17-37)
The men are off to a good start at 2-1. First 500 fans get a mini basketball.
Buffalo Sabres vs St. Louis Blues (KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour Knox Place, 7:30pm, $5-$62)
TheSabres are creeping up the standings and closer to respectability at 7-8-1.
Slee Beethoven String Quartet Cycle (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, 7:30pm, $20)
The quartet performs Beethoven’s Quartet in E-flat Major, Op 127, Quartet in F Major, Op 18, No 1, and Quartet in C Major, Op 59, No 3.
Bach & Brews (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $23adv/$25)
Buffalo Chamber Players presents Not Just Bach & Not Just Brews, as they open up the repertoire a bit.
Benedict Polizzi (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $28)
This stand-up hosts the podcasts Espresso and These Guys!, and appeared on two seasons of FBOY Island.
Davey O (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
Folk and country singer/songwriter.
The Honeymooners (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 7pm, $10)
Lunch Bunch (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, noon, FREE)
WNY Blues Society (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 7pm, $10)
w/Toz Cru
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
Cross (Amazon)
James Paterson’s bestselling detective series gets another adaptation, with Aldis Hodge stepping into the title role, made famous on the big screen by Morgan Freeman.
Friday, 11/15
David Cross (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $49.50, 18+)
Don’t miss your chance for tickets to see the Mr. Show and Arrested Development star perform stand-up on his The End of the Beginning of the End tour. w/Shane Torres
Sommore (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm/10pm, $45)
Frank and fearless routines from the “Queen of Comedy,” who’s appeared in Friday After Next, Soul Plane, Something New, The Parkers, and The Hughleys.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 7:30pm, $19-$50)
Six quirkly adolescents compete in a spelling bee in this Tony-winning musical comedy.
Legally Blonde (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7pm, $19-$50)
Nardin Academy students perform the state adaptation of the beloved 2001 film.
UB Cross Country @ NCAA Northeast Championships (Hopkinton State Park, NH)
The men’s and women’s teams compete at regionals, in which the top two schools will advance to nationals on 11/23.
UB Women’s Volleyball vs Eastern Michigan
The 14-15 squad wrap up the regular season with games today and tomorrow against a division rival.
Pallavi Sen: Activity Room (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7-10pm, FREE)
Opening reception for the Brooklyn-based artist’s latest exhibition, with a talk by the artist at 7pm.
Slee Beethoven String Quartet Cycle (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, 7:30pm, $20)
The quartet performs Beethoven’s Quartet in E-flat Major, Op 74, Quartet in G Major, Op 18, No 2, and Quartet in C-sharp Minor, Op 131.
BPO: The Music of Queen (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 7:30pm, $27-$99)
The Buffalo Philharmonic performs hits by classic rock’s most symphonic band, with vocalist MiG Ayesa.
Sissy reading (Fitz Books & Waffles, 433 Ellicott St, 7pm)
Canese Jarboe will join poets Jillian Hanesworth, Rachelle Toarmino, and Spencer Williams in a reading and book launch for their debut full-length collection of poems Sissy (Garden-Door Press, 2024). Aidan Ryan of Foundlings Press will serve as host.
lespecial (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $25adv/$28, 18+)
Hard rock groove trio. w/Doom Flamingo
Latin Jazz Codex (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
Alex McArthur Quartet (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadworth St, 6:30pm, $16-$19)
Shaky Stage (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
Americana roots rock.
The Four Horsemen (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $30.50, 16+)
Metallica tribute band. Benefit for Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County. w/BSG
Ten Cent Howl (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 5pm, $10)
Bruce Katz Band (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 9pm, $20)
Piano Action (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm-mid, $5)
Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
Belt out your favorites in front of a live band.
Silo (Amazon)
The dystopian sci-fi puzzler returns for season 2. Look for reviews here on Subject.
New Movies This Week
Red One (in wide release)
“Santa Claus has been kidnapped” seems like a can’t-miss premise, but The Rock, Chris Evans, and director Jake Kasdan still manage it.
Ghost Cat Anzu (Elmwood Center, Walden Galleria)
A headstrong girl moves to the countryside to live with her grandfather, a monk, and meets a supernatural cat guardian in this animated film. In Japanese with subtitles or English dub. Check listings
Kanguva (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
A tribal warrior’s fight a millenium ago has a mysterious connection to a cop’s mission in the present day. In Telugu with subtitles.
Matka (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
Karuna Kumar’s latest follows gambler and gangster Matka Vasu (Varun Tej) from 1958 to 1982. In Telugu with subtitles.
The Sabarmati Report (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
Vikrant Massey stars in director Dheeraj Sarna’s latest thriller. In Hindi with subtitles.
Tumbbad (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
Horror film based on Indian folk tale. In Hindi with subtitles.
Saturday 11/16
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 8pm, $19-$50)
Six quirkly adolescents compete in a spelling bee in this Tony-winning musical comedy.
Sommore (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 10pm, $45)
Frank and fearless routines from the “Queen of Comedy,” who’s appeared in Friday After Next, Soul Plane, Something New, The Parkers, and The Hughleys. (7pm show sold out)
Good Neighbors (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $18 suggested)
Improv comedy inspired by stories told by a prominent Buffalonian. This month’s guest is Common Council member Mitch Nowakowski, and proceeds benefit Visually Impaired Advancement.
Harvest Sum 20th Anniversary (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 7pm, $12.50)
Local record label’s anniversary party, with performances by Old Sweethearts, Sleepking Kings of Iona, Tvmtn, Johnny Nobody, Rbato, Strange Acres, Bearhunter, Lower Pony
Legally Blonde (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 2pm, $19-$50)
Nardin Academy students perform the state adaptation of the beloved 2001 film.
Upstate NY Hardcore Showcase (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 7-11pm)
Featuring Lowest Form, Urban Camouflage, Leaking Head, Science Man, Wet Specimens
Slee Beethoven String Quartet Cycle (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, 7:30pm, $20)
The quartet performs Beethoven’s Quartet in D Major, Op 18, No 3, “Grosse Fuge” Op 133, and Quartet in F Major, Op 59, No 1.
UB Women’s Volleyball vs Eastern Michigan
The 14-15 squad wrap up the regular season with games yesterday and today against a division rival.
Buffalo Sabres @ Philadelphia Flyers
Fascinatin’ Rhythem: A Gershwin Celebration (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 7:30pm, $16.50-$120)
The Buffalo Philharmonic performs the timeless music of George and Ira Gershwin, with virtuoso trumpeter Byron Stripling conducting.
Finaly Fantasy VII Rebirth Orchestra World Tour (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, 8pm, $59-$184)
An orchestra performs Nobuo Uematsu’s score to the bestselling game, with hi-def visuals.
Ryan Montbleau Band (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Eclectic veteran singer-songwriter who’s collaborated with everyone from Martin Sexton to Trombone Shorty. w/The Rollin’ Rust
Prohibition Comedy Show (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 4pm, $33)
This tour started during the dark days of the pandemic, and is still going, with a rotating lineup of headlining comics.
Master Class: Dali Quartet (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, 11am, FREE)
The Dali Quartet works with UB music students in a public coaching session.
Slacker University (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 7pm, $15-$60)
2000s party featuring the decade’s biggest hits
Emorfik (Town Ballroom, 681 S Main St, 7pm, $32.50, 18+)
Electronic/Dubstep DJ. w/SJ, Twopercent, Outrage
Katy Miner (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadworth St, 6:30pm, $16-$19)
“Serenading the Moon” jazz cabaret.
Jon Lehning & Harry Graser (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 1-2pm)
Saxophone and piano duo.
Kids Pop (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, noon, $10, all ages)
Family friendly show of pop hits with kid-friendly lyrics, performed by XOXO.
Dadvibes (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm, $10, 16+)
’90s and ’00s alternative and hard rock. w/Off the Wall (‘Michael Jackson tribute’90s/’00s emo & pop-punk)
Black Sabbath Tribute Night (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm-mid, $10)
Proceeds benefit WNY Heroes program, which pairs up dogs with veterans with PTSD.
Past Masters (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 3pm, $10)
WNY Blues Society (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 2pm)
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 11/17
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 2pm, $19-$50)
Six quirkly adolescents compete in a spelling bee in this Tony-winning musical comedy.
Sommore (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $45)
Frank and fearless routines from the “Queen of Comedy,” who’s appeared in Friday After Next, Soul Plane, Something New, The Parkers, and The Hughleys.
Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs (Highmark Stadium, 1 Bills Drive, Orchard Park, 4:25pm, $292-up)
The Bills biggest rivals (and biggest obstacle to a Super Bowl return are undefeated, but the Bills are ready to rise to the challenge on their home turf.
UB Wrestling vs. Purdue, Army (Alumni Arena, 10am, 2pm)
After a 1-1 start, Bulls wrestling hosts a doubleheader at home.
The Wazmopolitans (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 2-4pm)
Anne Philippone (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
Barrelhouse blues and boogie piano.
Jazz Cache (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8:30pm-mid, FREE)
Live music from a rotating cast of Buffalo jazz musicians.
Monday 11/18
UB Women’s Basketball vs. Cedarville (Alumni Arena, 6pm)
The women are undefeated after 2 games.
Leigh Stoner (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
Songwriter Showcase (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm-mid, FREE)
Singer-songwriters from 8-9, and then an open mic for the rest of the evening.
Tuesday 11/19
& Juliet (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, 7:30pm, $58-$117)
The hit Broadway musical asks what would have happend if Juliet hadn’t killed herself over Romeo. Through 11/24.
And Bid Him Sing (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 10am, $59-$184)
Ujima Theater Company’s production creates short vignettes from the poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar, whose work celebrates Black southern life.
UB Men’s Basketball @ Vermont
Alisa Amador (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $16adv/$18)
This singer/songwriter who performs in Spanish & English was ready to give up on music, when she got an invite to perform a Tiny Desk Concert that jumpstarted her career. w/Beane
Don McMillan (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $39)
This America’s Got Talent finalist quit the tech world for comedy after winning on Star Search.
Buff State Philharmonic (Buff State Performing Arts Center, 1200 Elmwood Ave, 7:30pm, FREE)
Cowboys & Hippies (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8-11:30pm, $10adv/$15)
Nashville rock & soul group. w/Tim Britt
Joe Baudo Big Band Rehearsal (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, noon, FREE)
Twang Gang (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst 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.
Karaoke (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 8pm)
Wednesday 11/20
& Juliet (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, 7:30pm, $58-$117)
The hit Broadway musical asks what would have happend if Juliet hadn’t killed herself over Romeo. Through 11/24.
UB Band (Lippes Concert Hall, Slee Hall, 7:30pm, FREE)
Buff State Wind Endemble (Buff State Performing Arts Center, 1200 Elmwood Ave, 7:30pm, FREE)
UB Football @ Eastern Michigan
The Bulls got an overtime win in a 51-48 barnburner against Ball State last week. They’re now 6-4 and hope to keep their 2-game win streak going on the road against a division rival.
Buffalo Sabres @ Los Angeles Kings
Mr. Conrad’s Rock n Roll Dance Party (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 7pm, FREE)
Joe Baudo Quintet (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, noon, FREE)
Dillon/Whitford Band (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 6pm, $10)
Open Mic Night (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, FREE)
Over 20 comics performing. Two-item minimum.
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, sign up 7pm, show 9:30pm)
