What’s Good: May 1-7, 2025
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
We’ve expanded our sports listings and given them their own space: check out The Sports Page for records, recent scores, and upcoming games from the UB Bulls and every Buffalo pro and semi-pro team.
Thursday, 5/1
Milton Rogovin (Black Rock Arts, 43 Hamilton St, 5-7pm, FREE)
The new artist-run gallery opens with its first exhibit, featuring photographs from local photographer Rogovin. Exhibit continues 5/2 5-8pm, Saturdays 11am-3pm.
Legally Blonde (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7:30pm, $49-$55)
A stage musical based on the beloved 2001 film. Through 5/18.
Bit Brigade (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $20adv/$25, 16+)
The group performs music from Super Mario World and F- Zero while speedrunning the games on stage.
Michigan Rattlers (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 7pm doors/8pm, $27, 16+)
Performing their new album, Waving From a Sea, and more. w/VOYAGR, Sam Filiatreau
Uncle Hank & Nephew Big Lowdown (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm, $32)
Chicago comic Darrin Brown performs in character as his social media character Uncle Hank.
Comedy at the Caz (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6pm doors/7:30pm, $20-$25)
Stand-up from Michael Brigante, Izzy the Comedian, and Mark Barrett.
Clayton Duffy & Orange Dog Club (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 6pm doors, $12.50adv/$15)
Charlie Coughlin (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6pm)
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 enjoy the show!
Friday, 5/2
Raiders of the Lost Ark (Kleinhans, 3 Symphony Circle, 7:30pm, $26.50-$88.50)
The greatest adventure movie ever made, with the BPO performing John Williams’ iconic soundtrack live.
The Pajama Game (Drama Theatre, UB Center For the Arts, 7:30pm, $22/$7 UB students)
The classic musical about a strike at a pajama factory.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 7:30pm, $19-$40)
A stage musical based on the beloved 2001 film. Through 5/18.
Melissa Ferrick (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7:30pm doors/8pm, $30adv/$35)
Folk-punk singer-songwriter signed to Kill Rock Stars.
Hans Gindlesberger (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm)
Opening reception for an exhibit of the conceptual photographer’s works, running through 6/27.
Legally Blonde (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7:30pm, $49-$55)
A stage musical based on the beloved 2001 film. Through 5/18.
The Cher Show (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 7:30pm, $42-$102)
A recreation of the legendary diva’s greatest moments.
New Planets (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Psychedelic party music. w/Strange Standard
Vinny G (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 9:15pm, $40)
The Jersey Shore alum has also appeared in Vinny & Ma Eat America and Joking Off.
Improv Collider (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $10)
An hour of long-form improv comedy.
House & Friends (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 8pm, $11.75)
Improv comedy featuring BIH faculty and friends of the House.
The New Friday Mixer (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 9:30pm, $10 suggested)
All are welcome to join in this community improv comedy jam.
The Strictly Hip (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6:30pm doors/8pm, $20-$30)
The Tragically Hip cover band performs hockey songs and murder ballads
Silent Legacy (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 7pm doors/8pm, $12.50adv)
Melissa Etheridge tribute
Band Named Sue (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-10pm, FREE)
Classic country music.
New Movies This Week
Thunderbolts* (in wide release)
Marvel finds itself in the unfamiliar position of imitating DC’s success, as the MCU puts together its own suicide squad of questionably-heroic back-benchers.
Pavements (not screening in Buffalo)
An inventive documentary about the 90s indie-rock mainstays.
Rosario (Elmwood Center, Transit Center, Walden Galleria)
High-concept horror film from first-time director Felipe Vargas.
Hit: The Third Case (Elmwood Center, Transit Center, Walden Galleria)
Nani and Srinidhi Shetty star in this action thriller. In Telugu with subtitles
Raid 2 (Elmwood Center, Transit Center, Walden Galleria)
An Indian Revenue Service Officer takes on white collar criminals in this crime thriller. In Hindi with subtitles
Retro (Elmwood Center, Transit Center)
Romantic action film from writer-director Karthik Subbaraj. In Tamil or Telugu with subtitles, check listings
Another Simple Favor (Amazon)
A sequel to director Paul Feig’s 2018 A Simple Favor, in which Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, and Henry Golding return to solve a murder at an extravagant Italian wedding.
Saturday 5/3
Ryan Shaw (Kleinhans, 3 Symphony Circle, 7:30pm, $16.50-$90.50)
The three-time Grammy nominee performs with the BPO as part of the Philharmonic’s Masters of R&B series.
The Pajama Game (Drama Theatre, UB Center For the Arts, 2pm/7:30pm, $22/$7 UB students)
The classic musical about a strike at a pajama factory.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 8pm, $19-$40)
A stage musical based on the beloved 2001 film. Through 5/18.
Legally Blonde (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 8pm, $49-$55)
A stage musical based on the beloved 2001 film. Through 5/18.
Arnold Dreyblatt (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, FREE)
At 7pm, the composer discusses a career that started at UB’s Media Study Department in the 1970s. At 8:30, he performs his compositions, Transmission, Auditoria, and Nodal Excitation.
The Cher Show (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 2pm/8pm, $42-$102)
A recreation of the legendary diva’s greatest moments.
Danae Hays (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $33.50-$53.50)
This comedian, actress, and content creator performs zany Southern characters and country music parody songs.
Octave Cat (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Jazz-influenced electronic dance music. w/Grub
Vinny G (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 9:15pm, $40)
The Jersey Shore alum has also appeared in Vinny & Ma Eat America and Joking Off.
Level 1 & 2 Student Showcase (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 6pm, $10)
Improv comedy from BIH’s students.
Various Factors (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $14)
A fully improvised Broadway-style musical comedy. Live piano karaoke afterparty.
TAiSTE (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 7pm doors/8pm, $15)
Local alt-sould group. w/Some Guys Name Trio, Guillermo & Emilio
The Strictly Hip (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6:30pm doors/8pm, $20)
The Tragically Hip cover band performs one song from every Hip album.
Cock Robin (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 8pm, $18)
70s rock covers.
Celtic Sessions (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 4-7pm, FREE)
Sunday 5/4
Wanda Sykes (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 7pm, $25-$131.50)
The beloved stand-up comes to town on her Please & Thank You Tour. w/Keith Robinson
Miss Queen City (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 6pm doors/7pm, $20, 18+)
A drag pageant to crown the next Miss Newcomer, presided over by reigning queens Devinity and Nicki.
The Pajama Game (Drama Theatre, UB Center For the Arts, 2pm, $22/$7 UB students)
The classic musical about a strike at a pajama factory.
Buffalo Comedy Showcase (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 2pm doors/2:30pm, $25, 18+)
Buffalo Hive presents a lineup of comics including Laura Evans, David Lundy, Jake Piskor, Jason Pomietlasz, Liz Reaves, Katrina Valentine, Clayton Williams, host Don Johnson, and improv performances by Babushka and ComedySportz.
Buffalo Blues & Roots Festival (Riverworks, 359 Ganson St, 2-10pm, $30)
Featuring Kelley Hunt & the 5, Bruce Wojick & the Struggle, Tommy Z, Rod Nickson, Dave Thurman & Grace Lougen, and Eric Weinholtz Band.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 2pm, $19-$40)
A stage musical based on the beloved 2001 film. Through 5/18.
Legally Blonde (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 8pm, $49-$55)
A stage musical based on the beloved 2001 film. Through 5/18.
The Cher Show (Shea’s 710, 710 Main St, 1pm, $42-$102)
A recreation of the legendary diva’s greatest moments.
Murder Mystery Theatre (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6pm doors/7:30pm, $84-$89)
Enjoy a two-course meal as a live-action murder mystery unfolds.
Jesse Cook (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 7pm, $38-$121)
Nuevo Flamenco guitarist.
Vinny G (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $40)
The Jersey Shore alum has also appeared in Vinny & Ma Eat America and Joking Off.
Susan Peters Jazz Band (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 4-5:30pm, FREE)
Anne Philippone’s Piano Party (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
Barrelhouse and boogie piano.
Jazz Cache (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8:30pm-mid, FREE)
A rotating cast of Buffalo’s best jazz musicians.
Karaoke Night (Twentysixallen, 26 Allen St, 6pm)
Monday 5/5
Palmyra (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $15adv/$18)
Southern Americana that flits with soul and post-rock.
Girl Named Tom (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 7pm, $40-$45)
These three harmonizing siblings are the only group ever to win The Voice.
Essenger (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 7pm doors/8pm, $20.55, 16+)
Alt-rock-influenced EDM.
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 5/6
The Pretty Reckless (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 7pm, $50)
Post-grunge alt rock. w/Plush
Magdalena Bay (Riverworks, 359 Ganson St, 7pm, $35)
Dreamy California pop duo.
The Untold Story of Sharks (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 7pm, $21.50-$73.50)
National Geographic presents shark researcher Dr. Jess Cramp.
Adeem the Artist (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $17adv/$20)
Shimmering folk-rock.
George Clanton (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 7pm doors/8pm, $36, 16+)
Electronic musician and singer. w/Slater
Mac Sabbath (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $32adv/$38, 18+)
McDonalds-themed horror rock. w/Guttermouth, Flummox
Steam Donkeys (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8:30pm, FREE)
Long-serving “cosmic Americana” group.
Rust Belt Comedy Showcase (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 9-10pm, FREE)
A rotating cast of local stand-ups.
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 5/7
The Mid-Week Vibe (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $30, 16+)
Party set by DJ Nasty, acousting performance by Amina the Empress, and featured artist Denisha Osbourne, plus free pizza and wings (while supplies last).
Japanese Avant-Garde Pioneers (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $8/$6 students)
Amélie Ravalec’s film surveying the “Are, Bure, Boke” (rough, dark, and out of focus) era of Japanese photography in the 1960s.
Invent Animate & Silent Planet (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 6pm doors, $33, 16+)
Local indie rock. w/156/Silence, Allt
M.A.G.S. (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 7pm doors/8pm, $23, 16+)
Local indie rock. w/Covey, akloh
BAVPA Side by Side Concert (Kleinhans, 3 Symphony Circle, 7pm, FREE)
Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts join the BPO for a joint performance.
Kevin Hays Memorial Scholarship Event (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 5:30pm, $25, All Ages)
ULI Western New York announces the winner of an annual scholarship given to a student from UB’s Masters program in Real Estate Development.
Open Mic Night (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, FREE with reservation)
Over 20 comedians perform.
We’re Not Dead Yet (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6pm doors/7:30pm, $10)
Grateful Dead cover band.
Tyler Westcott (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 7pm)
Karaoke Night (Twentysixallen, 26 Allen St, 6pm)
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, sign up 7pm, show 9:30pm)
