What’s Good: June 19-25, 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, 6/19
Juneteenth at Milkies (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $10)
Poesy Shines performs.
Derrick Stroup (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $31-$41)
A rare fast-talking Southerner, Stroup was named a New Face at Just For Laughs in 2023, and shot his first Comedy Central special last year.
Jacobo Vega-Alberla Quartet (Pausa Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm doors/7pm, $16-$19)
Modern jazz.
Cris Jacobs (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $25adv/$30, 18+)
Soul-blues singer and guitarist.
Curtis Salgado (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6:30pm doors/8pm, $89-$94)
Blues singer, songwriter, and harmonica player. Dinner included.
The Altogether (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 7-8:45pm, FREE)
Vinyl Night (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 9pm-mid, FREE)
Joe Rozler (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
The Improv Mixer (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 6:45pm, $5 suggested)
Perform alongside experienced performers, or just hang out and watch. All experience levels welcome.
Friday, 6/20
Grave Glamour Draglesque (Gypsy Parlor, 376 Grant St, 10pm-1:30am, $5)
A night of drag & burlesque, featuring Nova Came, Anatomy, Annika Stark, Maddi Moon, and Morphea Dreamz.
Jess Hilarious (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7/9:15pm, $31-$41)
Jess has appeared on Rel, Wild n’ Out, All Def Comedy, and her own Instagram show, Jess with the Mess.
Broadway Meats Buffalo (Shea’s, 650 Main St, 6pm doors/7pm, $10-$25)
Tell us a 16-round meat raffle isn’t the most Buffalo thing anyone has ever done.
Humbird (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $15adv/$20)
Folksinger gone electric. w/Jonathan Bobowicz of Whitetails
Star People: The Legacy of Jazz (Pausa Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm doors/7pm, $18-$24)
Zach Gerken Band (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6:30pm doors/8pm, $12)
Buffalo country rock powerhouse. w/Edge of Sundown
Honey Group presents RecHouse (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 11pm, $10)
featuring KiM CHI, Ryan Dils
Improv Collider (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $10adv/$12/$7 student)
Long form improv from the Improv Collider troupe.
Good Neighbors (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 8pm, $20adv/$25/$12 student suggested)
An improv comedy show inspired by true stories from notable people. This week’s guest is Sugatush from the Glam Vamps.
The Waildogs (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
Music to Remember (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 7:30pm, $12.40)
Late NIght Heartbreak (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm-mid, $20adv/$25)
Local acts put on an emo tribute night. Creating a Sinner performing as Hawthorne Heights; Zackstreet Boys as Blink 182; Gumshoe as Taking Back Sunday; and Forever Warped as Fallout Boy. w/acoustic sets by Never Again, Anthony Wachowiak (of Mother Nature’s Son)
SWEMO (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $20, 18+)
Emo Night, Taylor’s Version — a new twist on TS’ biggest hits. We don’t understand what’s happening either.
Zuffalo (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 9pm, $10)
Dead-inspired psychedelic rock.
Timbre (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
David Cloyd (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 8-11pm)
Album release for his new Red Sky Warning, backed by a band of Buffalo all-stars.
Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
New Movies This Week
28 Years Later (in wide release)
Danny Boyle returns for a second sequel to his 28 Days Later, which began the fast-zombie trend.
Elio (in wide release)
A UFO-obsessed kid gets gleefully abducted in Pixar’s latest.
Bride Hard (Elmwood Center, Transit Center, Walden Galleria)
A wedding party is taken hostage, but maid of honor Rebel Wilson is an undercover agent, in this action comedy.
KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
In what somehow isn’t a fake movie title from 30 Rock, a Kpop group secrety protects their fans from demons in this animated film.
8 Vasanthalu (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave.)
An emotional drama from writer/director Phanindra Narsetti. In Telugu with subtitles.
Kuberaa (Elmwood Center, Transit Center)
Dhanush and Nagarjuna star in Sekhar Kammula’s crime drama. In Hindi, Tamil, or Telugu with subtitles, check listings.
Sitaare Zameen Par (Elmwood Center, Transit Center, Walden Galleria)
An arrogant basketball coach has to train a team of neurodivergent adults as community service for a DUI. In Hindi with subtitles.
Utshob (Elmwood Center, 2001 Elmwood Ave.)
A tightfisted businessman is visited by three ghosts in this Bangladeshi take on A Christmas Carol. In Bengali with subtitles.
Saturday 6/21
Juneteenth Freedom Party (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7:30pm doors/8:30pm, $15adv/$20, 18+)
A high-energy community celebration of culture, connection, and freedom (get it while it lasts!). Featuring live musical performances, guest set from DJ UNK, and food art and fashion vendors.
Porchfest Afterparty (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 5pm doors/5:30pm, FREE)
Featuring Maddy Walsh & the Blind Spots, Stephen Babcokc, Nico Zarcone
Drag Story Hour (Crane Branch Library, 633 Elmwood Ave, 10:30-11:30am, FREE)
The Muffin Boy and Frederick von Herfuffle host dancing, games, and a read aloud. (Must be accompanied by child)
Jess Hilarious (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7/9:30pm, $31-$41)
Jess has appeared on Rel, Wild n’ Out, All Def Comedy, and her own Instagram show, Jess with the Mess.
Big Whoop / You Should Smile More (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $12adv/$15/$8 student)
NYC-based improv team Big Whoop, and local all-female and genderfluid show. Both shows for one ticket.
Pride Jam (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 8:30pm, pay what you can)
LGBTQ+ friendly improv comedy, hosted by Amanda Ivanoff and Caitlin Canahai.
Fete de la Musique (The Cave, 71 Military Rd, 7pm, FREE)
Make Music Day 2025, featuring performances by Maggie Roston Quintette, Adel Chouchani, Marc et Marcy, Cousins Trio, Marcus Lolo, 5 Birds on a Wire, Buffalo String Works, Ralph Walstrom
Buddy Buddy Pride (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 10pm-4am, $20)
Party for queer WNY. Featuring performances by Fatherhood, Mutualism
Izzo’s Market (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, noon-5pm)
Various local vendors ply their wares.
Stephen Guerra & Titus Stevens (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 1-2pm)
Brazilian classical music.
Fredtown Stompers (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 3-5pm)
The Landlines (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
The Ooohh Baby Gimme Mores (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $10adv/$15)
Toronto punk rock. w/Pollyanna
PAUSA Open House (Pausa Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7pm doors/8pm, FREE)
A free performance by The Earl/Thomas/Gray Piano Trio to give new patrons a chance to experience PAUSA’s live jazz.
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 6/22
Murder Mystery Theatre (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 4:30pm doors/6pm, $84-$89)
Guests can volunteer to participate in a Roaring 20s-era whodunnit. Dinner included.
Kensingtons (Sportsmens Park, 340 Amherst St, 1-7pm, $20)
w/Cock Robin, The Informers, Flashback
Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters (Sportsmens Tavern, 326 Amherst St, 7pm, $23)
Asheville, NC roots music.
Shane Guerrette (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $17adv/$20)
Classic soul and roots rock.
Elliot Scozzaro Trio (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 4-6pm)
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 6/23
Silver Arrow Band (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, FREE)
The band puts on an open rehearsal, playing old and new material.
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 6/24
Faster Pussycat (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $30adv/$35, 18+)
80s Hollywood glam-punk survivors. w/country-punk legends Supersuckers, The Rumourz, The Lonely Ones
Back To the Future: The Musical (Shea’s, 650 Main St, 7:30pm, $59-$128)
The classic time travel adventure gets the Broadway treatment. Through 6/29
The Early November (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm doors/7pm, $34, 16+)
Acoustic performance. w/Gbe Woodrow, akloh
GaymeNite (The Underground Niteclub, 274 Delaware Ave, 8pm-mid, FREE)
This edition of Underground’s monthly videogame socials is pride-themed, so socialize and game with Smash Bros, Mario Kart, Jackbox Games, and a DnD oneshot.
Buffalo’s Funniest (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $15-$23)
The first round of the citywide stand-up competition. Winners determined by audience vote.
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 6/25
The Aquabats (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 6pm doors/7pm, $40, 16+)
Kids-friendly new wave band. Under 16 welcome w/parent. w/Koffin Kats, Mike V and the Rats
Back To the Future: The Musical (Shea’s, 650 Main St, 7:30pm, $59-$128)
The classic time travel adventure gets the Broadway treatment. Through 6/29
Samantha Fish (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 6pm doors/7pm, $47-$67)
Electrifying guitarist from New Orleans.
ENUFF Z NUFF (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6:30pm doors/8pm, $25)
Power pop group behind “New Thing” and “Flyl High Michelle”. w/Permacrush
Buffalo’s Funniest (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, $15-$23)
The first round of the citywide stand-up competition. Winners determined by audience vote.
Peter Latona (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
The Gold Dinar (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $10-15adv/$15-20)
Blues-rock duo. w/SuZee
Davey O. (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 6-8pm)
Karaoke Night (Twentysixallen, 26 Allen St, 6pm)
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, sign up 7pm, show 9:30pm)
The Bear (Hulu)
The kitchen reopens for Season 4
