
What’s Good: May 29-June 4, 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, 5/29
Josh Blue (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm, $31)
Former Last Comic Standing winner, touring behind a recent Comedy Central Presents special.
Keep Flying (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm doors/7pm, $21, 16+)
w/We Were Black, Gatto Black, Star Theory
Dogs in Stereo (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, doors 7:30pm/8pm, $10)
Indie garage rock. w/Aye Karou, Creating a Sinner, Vien Kohl
Hartwell Hospice House Band (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-7:30pm, FREE)
Rado (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $10-$15adv/$15-20)
Pychedelic dance music from Denver. w/Merangutang, Roy G Biv
The Garcia Project (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Jerry Garcia Band tribute re-creates old setlists.
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, 5/30
Kickoff to Pride Party (Banshee Irish Pub, 257 Franklin St., 6-11pm, FREE)
Featuring music by Sylus DiCocah, and drag performances by Damsel ‘n Distress, Willa DeWhisp, Freddie Hercury, Cella Rhee, and Logan Betty. Plus food, dancing, and a photo booth. Donations go to the Harm Reduction Center at Evergreen Health. Pre-register for food and a drink ticket. Donations welcome.
Juice Buf (Jack Rabbit, 1010 Elmwood Ave, 10pm-2:30AM, $5)
Rochester queer-centered dance party Juice Box takes their show on the road for the first time, bringing the party to Buffalo. Featuring resident DJs Brian Buttlett and maxxie, plus midnight drag performance by Fawna.
Genkin Philharmonic (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $10-$15 suggested)
Local 10-piece electro-acoustic chamber ensemble that started at the UB Music Dept.
The Unlikely Candidates (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm doors/7pm, $28, 16+)
w/slo/tide, Cobraz
Josh Blue (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm, $31)
Former Last Comic Standing winner, touring behind a recent Comedy Central Presents special.
Chente Ydrach (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 10pm, $43)
El renombrado comediante, actor e influencer, en su regreso al escenario después de una pausa de cinco años! Solamente en español.
Joybomb (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 8pm, $12.40)
w/Thru It All, Make Out Tactics
Centragore (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, doors 7pm, $15)
Death metal showcase. w/Blood Desecration, Coronary Thrombosis, Seplophile
Rabbit Jaw (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 5-6:30pm, FREE)
ABTrio Release Party (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $10)
w/Aircraft, Love Supreme School of Music
The Smiths Etc. (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 7pm doors, $32, 16+)
Smiths tribute, w/fellow tribute acts Murmur (REM), Disintegration (The Cure)
Improv Collider! (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $11)
Long-form improv comedy.
House & Friends (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 8pm, $12)
Improv comedy featurinig House faculty and friends of BIH.
The New Friday Mixer (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $11)
Perform alongside experienced performers, or just hang out and watch. All experience levels welcome.
New Movies This Week
Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning (in wide release)
Tom Cruise risks death for your entertainment one final time.
Lilo & Stitch (in wide release)
The latest in Disney’s shameless live-action retreads of their animated classics is… actually good?
Karate Kid Legends (in wide release)
Jackie Chan and Ralph Maccio team up to weave together both iterations of this surprisingly long-lived franchise, in which they mentor yet another kid in the art of karate.
Bring Her Back (in wide release)
A brother and sister discover a terrifying ritual taking place at their foster mother’s secluded home, in this Australian supernatural horror flick.
The Last Rodeo (Transit Center, 6707 Transit Rd, Williamsville)
A retired rodeo star enters a high-stakes bull-riding competition, which forces him to confront his past and rediscover his faith.
Bhairavam (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
In Telugu w/subtitles.
Detective Kien: The Headless Horror (Walden Galleria)
A detective investigates a headless body in rural Nguyen Dynasty-era Vietnam. In Vietnamese w/subtitles.
Khaleja (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
A re-release of the 2010 fantasy action comedy. In Telugu w/subtitles.
Saunkan Saunkanay 2 (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave)
In the first movie, a couple who couldnt conceive invite a second wife into their marriage. In Punjabi w/subtitles.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (Netflix)
Slasher film based on R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books.
Fountain of Youth (Apple TV)
Apple’s TV output is unimpeachable. Their movie output, less so. Look no further than this 3rd-rate Indiana Jones, in which John Krasinski and Natalie Portman are estranged siblings in search of the mythical fountain. Everyone knows nothing magical or positive would be located in Florida.
Saturday 5/31
Snapcase (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 5pm doors/6pm, $20, additional donations welcome, 16+)
The local hardcore legends pay tribute to the life of longtme member of the scene Tony Brooder. All proceeds go to his family. w/Buried Alive, Garrett Klahn (Texas is the Reason), The Revenge Therapists, Selfish Act
Simple Plan (Terminal B, 850 Fuhrmann Blvd, 6pm doors, $59)
Canadian pop-punk behind “When I’m Gone” and the What’s New, Scobby-Doo? theme! w/We the Kings, Winona Fighter
Revolution Drag Pride Ride (Westin Buffalo, 250 Delaware Ave, 11am/12:30pm, $30-$45)
Revolution’s spin class gets extra fabulous, with instructor Brandon leading cyclists, DJ Lil’ Gabby spinning tunes, and drag queens Tonya Tonawanda, Katie 88, Aggy Dune, and Carmen Adore providing inspiration. Two classes, and tickers for riders and spectators available.
Intersect: A Pride Arts Festival (Twentysix Allen, 267 Allen St, 1-7pm, FREE)
All-afternoon street festival with art vendors, live art creation, kids activities, a dedicated sober space, and live music.
Pride Party (Dudley Branch Library, 2010 South Park Ave, 1:30-4:30pm, FREE)
Fun-for-all-ages activities, including pride button making, cake (2pm), bingo (2-3pm), and a screening of Disney animated sci-fi adventure Strange World (3pm).
Buffalo Music Awards (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 7-11pm, 16+)
A VMAs-style event paying tribute to iconic pop artists, through performances by local drag legends.
Pride Dance (Venu, 75 W Chippewa St, 9pm-4am, $10adv/$20 21+/$30 18+)
Joe Marcella’s legendary dance party returns. w/DJs Mitch Ferrino & Sydney Blu, and drag show at midnight.
High Heat (Riff City Social, 166 Chandler St, 10pm-4am, $30)
Dance party with underground music and impeccable vibes. w/DJs Grace Sands, dirtywifi, Mr. Step.
Hip Hop Social (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 8pm, $15adv/$20)
A celebration of all aspects of hip-hop culture. w/hosts Zak G & Schondra, sounds by DJ Impozible, and guest performances by Aahkee, Carney, Chrxs Prxce, Cordz, Jaydense, Suave Neek, Tre Stylez, Ekua, Krugga, Monnroe, Qhata, Yogi Berry, and more.
Josh Blue (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7/9:30pm, $31)
Former Last Comic Standing winner, touring behind a recent Comedy Central Presents special.
Genkin Philharmonic (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $10-$15 suggested)
Local 10-piece electro-acoustic chamber ensemble that started at the UB Music Dept.
Gantzer Improv (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm doors/9pm, $10)
Fully improvised jam band. w/Witty Tarbox
Omit the Band (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 8pm, $12.40)
w/The Soul Butchers
Wait For That (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 4:30-6:30pm, $5)
Coop’s Nightmare (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Alice Cooper tribute.
Celtic Sessions (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 4-7pm, FREE)
Black Rock Arts (Black Rock Arts, 43 Hamilton St, 11am-3pm, FREE)
The new artist-run gallery is open to the public every Saturday.
Sunday 6/1
Pride Parade (Elmwood Ave, from Forest Ave to Allen St., 11am, FREE)
Celebrate LGBTQ pride with the annual parade down Elmwood.
One Love: Pride Parade Afterparty (Soho, 64 W Chippewa St, doors 2pm/5pm, $24, 18+)
Performances by the city’s fiercest drag queens, plus a special apperance by Drag Race superstar Vanessa Vanjie.
Rinse/Repeat (surprise riverfront location, 2-9pm, $25)
Daytime dance party, with location announced to ticket holders the day before. Music by Jacob Meehan, Haiek, Jason Kendig.
Roxy’s Annual Pride Party (Bottoms Up, 69 W Chippewa, 3-7:30pm, $10 21+, $20 18+)
12th annual after-parade party.
Queen City Pride After-Party (Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, 1 Fulton St, 3-10pm, $25)
Drag Race stars Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Mrs. Kasha Davis, Darienne Lake, and Mayhem Miller, plus local queens Winter Storm, Vanna Deux, Freddie Hercury, Alice Raige, and Willa de Whisp. Plus DJ Spikey van Dykey, food trucks, and 25+ vendors.
Lady Bunny (Venu, 75 W Chippewa St, 4pm-4am, $10-$30, 18+)
Drag DJ Lady Bunny hosts this post-parade dance party, featuring guest DJs, drag show, and go-go dancers.
Pride Fundraiser (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 2:30pm doors/3pm, $10)
with performances by TAKA, Mookie, Christina Stock, nuspeak
Johnny Manchild & the Poor Bastards (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm doors/7pm, $21, 16+)
w/Fake Shark
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 6/2
Pride Fundraiser (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 7pm, $10)
with performances by TAKA, Mookie, Christina Stock, nuspeak
The Complete Unknowns (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm)
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 6/3
Wallows (Terminal B, 850 Fuhrmann Blvd, 6pm doors, $96)
The Model & More Tour. w/Porches
The Local Honeys (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $15adv/$20, 18+)
Kentucky songwriting duo. w/Ten Cent Howl
Hotline TNT (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm doors/7pm, $22, 16+)
w/Deluxxe
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 6/4
Sunny Day Real Estate (Electric City, 433 Pearl St, 6:30pm, $50-$80)
The godfathers of emo are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their first album, and their first new song in 10 years.
The Mid-Week Vibe (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $30)
Party set by DJ Spin, acoustic performance by Rob Gis, and featured artist Drea D’nur.
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $23adv/$28, 18+)
Gut bucket blues guitar. Jerry Garcia Band tribute re-creates old setlists. w/Tim Britt Band
Jakobs Castle (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm doors/7pm, $23, 16+)
w/Jesse James Pariah, Strange Case, Hyperview
Katalyst (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6pm doors/7:30pm, $24)
Funk, soul, and jazz, featuring Buffalo native Greg Paul on drums.
Ralph White (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 7-9pm, FREE)
Folkfaces & Friends (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 9pm, FREE)
Bluegrass night. w/Mikee Strongmen
Open Mic Night (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $31)
Over 20 comedians perform.
Karaoke Night (Twentysixallen, 26 Allen St, 6pm)
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, sign up 7pm, show 9:30pm)