What’s Good: May 7-13, 2026
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
Thursday, 5/7
Jim Norton (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 7pm doors, $50-$64, 16+)
The veteran stand-up and actor, and host of the podcast Sword Fight.
Dancers Workshop (Katharine Cornell Theatre, Ellicott Complex, 7:30pm, $25/$10 students)
Student-run showcase by UB Dance majors
The Mid-Week Vibe (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $30)
The Vibes move from Wednesday to Thursday, with comedy from Yolanda Smilez, an acoustic performance by Zhanna Reed, and featured artist Sehrea N’Dayu.
The Azures (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $15adv/$20, 18+)
Psychedelic acid rock. w/Little Liar
Pure Glitter (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 7:30pm, $22adv/$59)
Drama erupts among a chosen family of gay men when one of them throws a surprise party, in this play performed by Second Generation Theatre Company.
Sarper Guven (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm, $39-$51)
This Turkish-American comic has sharp observations on cultural differences.
Great American Showcase (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 7-10pm, $20)
Buffalo Hive & WNY Blues Society present a roots music showcase. Artists include Tom Makar, The Muddy Waters Project, and more.
Kelli Baker Band (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 5:30 doors/7:30pm, $20-$25)
Modern blues. w/Nate Gross Band
JS3 (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 10pm, FREE)
John Snell’s jazz trio, featuring Dom Rodriguez and Ryan Campbell.
The Improv Mixer (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $5 suggested)
Newcomers and experienced performers are all welcome to participate in improv sketch comedy or just watch.
Friday, 5/8
That Comedy Show (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $15adv/$20, 18+)
Buffalo’s longest-running stand-up show. Featuring Trebor Finnegan, Bill Squire, Rachel Daze, John Lockwood, Anthony Sundquist.
Dancers Workshop (Katharine Cornell Theatre, Ellicott Complex, 7:30pm, $25/$10 students)
Student-run showcase by UB Dance majors
Sam Tallent (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm/9:15, $20-$45)
This comedian, novelist, and host of the Chubby Behemoth podcast was called, “the absurd voice of a surreal generation,” by The Denver Post.
The Mesh (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm)
Opening reception to Frank Chang’s art installation, with the climate crisis as his theme.
Canaan Cox (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $15adv/$20, 18+)
Country/pop singer. w/Brett Landin
Pure Glitter (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 7:30pm, $22adv/$59)
Drama erupts among a chosen family of gay men when one of them throws a surprise party, in this play performed by Second Generation Theatre Company.
Late Night Heartbreak (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $10adv/$15)
Emo/pop-punk night, featuring Creating a Sinner, Gumshoe, Forever Warped.
The New Coots (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
The Smiths Etc. (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6:30 doors/8pm, $20-$25, All Ages)
Smiths tribute celebrates the 40th anniversary of The Queen Is Dead.
Improv Jam (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 6:30pm, $5-$10 suggested)
Newcomers and experienced performers are all welcome to participate in improv sketch comedy or just watch.
Improv Collider (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7:30pm, $5 suggested)
An hour of long-form improv comedy.
Duet! (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 8:30pm, $15adv/$20/$12 students)
Annie Moor and Todd Benzin perform a completely improvised one-act musical.
Rechouse (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 11pm, $10)
Honey Group presents a night of house music.
Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
Saturday 5/9
Dancers Workshop (Katharine Cornell Theatre, Ellicott Complex, 2pm/7:30pm, $25/$10 students)
Student-run showcase by UB Dance majors
Sam Tallent (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm/9:30, $20-$45)
This comedian, novelist, and host of the Chubby Behemoth podcast was called, “the absurd voice of a surreal generation,” by The Denver Post.
Unicorn Parade (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 7pm, $12adv/$15/$10 students)
The troupe performs an improvised play. w/BIH Level 2 Showcase
Buffalo Cursebreakers (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 8:30pm, $12adv/$15/$10 students)
An improvised journey through Buffalo’s past and possible futures, to see if the curse on our city (and sports teams) can be lifted. w/Down the Rabbit Hole, an improvised talk show about paranomal encounters.
Pure Glitter (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 8pm, $22adv/$59)
Drama erupts among a chosen family of gay men when one of them throws a surprise party, in this play performed by Second Generation Theatre Company.
Turning Virtue (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Buffalo post-prog band. w/Mossom
Kasablanca (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 8pm doors, $40, 18+)
360º Concert Experience in Higher Resolution. w/Octavio
Bertha: Grateful Drag (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $31adv/$36, 14+)
An all-drag-queen Grateful Dead tribute.
Queens United (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 6:30 doors/8pm, $60)
Celebrating women in Buffalo’s music scene, across R&B, Latin, and Soul.
Joshua Quimby & Matt Pless (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $15adv/$20)
Folk, blues, and country storytelling.
Celtic Sessions (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 4-7pm, FREE)
Traditional Irish music.
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 5/10
Buckethead (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $32adv/$35, 14+)
The virtuoso guitarist has abandoned his trademark KFC bucket hat, but his live show is no less eccentric and engaging.
Dance Senior Showcase (Katharine Cornell Theatre, Ellicott Complex, 7:30pm, $25/$10 students)
Student-directed showcase of performances by graduating UB Dance majors
Impulse Dance Force (Drama Theatre, UB Center For the Arts, 3:30pm/7:30pm, $10)
Student showcase in a variety of dance styles.
Pure Glitter (Shea’s Smith, 658 Main St, 2pm, $22adv/$59)
Drama erupts among a chosen family of gay men when one of them throws a surprise party, in this play performed by Second Generation Theatre Company.
The Grateful Dans (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 3:30-5:30pm, FREE)
Dead tribute with originals.
Ann Philippone (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8, FREE)
Solo barrelhouse 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, 9:30pm)
Monday 5/11
Plant Water (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.
Monday Night Foosball (Riverworks, 359 Gansom St, 6pm warmups/7-9pm, $10)
Weekly foosball tournament; free trial week for newcomers, $80 15-week season pass. buffalofoosball.com
Tuesday 5/12
Silversun Pickups (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 6:30pm doors, SOLD OUT, 16+)
2000s alt-rock band. w/Giant Waste of Men
Natural Information Society (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 8pm, $25/$20 students)
Transcendental music described as “ecstatic minimalism”.
Drake Milligan (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
Country music traditionalist. w/Jack Blocker
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 5/13
Distinctive Voices (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 6:30pm doors/7:30pm, $28adv/$32)
Buffalo Chamber Players perform works by Luciano Berio, Louise Farrenc, Missy Mazzoli, and Maria Syzmanowska.
Nekrogoblikon (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 6:30pm doors/7:30pm, $35, 16+)
w/Psychostick, Galactic Empire
Mike Clark (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
Westcott, Harris, & Dr. Jazz (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 9pm, FREE)
A night of traditional jazz.
Helium Comedy Academy (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm, $15-20)
A monthly class in stand-up, improv, and sketch.
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, sign up 7pm, show 9:30pm)
