What’s Good: May 14-20, 2026
Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.
Thursday, 5/14
Queen City Roller Derby (Riverworks, 359 Gansom St, 5:30pm doors/7pm, $22.50)
Saucies vs. Alley Kats.
Fireworks (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm doors/6:30pm, $36, 16+)
The Detroit punk band celebrates the 15-year anniversary of their album Gospel.
Kelly Hayes McAlonie (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 5:30pm doors/7pm, $10)
UB’s Director of Campus Planning an co-founder of Architect Barbie gives a talk about inspiring kids to dream about architecture, as part of The Caz Speaker Series.
Chantal Kreviazuk (Asbury Hall, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $35adv/$40)
Grammy- and Juno-winning balladeer.
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.
Adam Bronstein & ABTrio (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, $20 Suggested)
Jazz happy hour.
Vinyl Night (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8:30pm, FREE)
DJs spin vinyl just like in the olden days.
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, 5/15
Hey Bitch (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $25adv/$20 students)
Electric violinist Bitch (of duo Bitch and Animal) performs a one-woman show, including music from her album Bitchcraft.
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.
Alpha Wolf (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 6pm, $35, 16+)
Australian metalcore band. w/Gideon, Mugshot, Resolve
Anime Night (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 6pm doors/7pm, $20adv/$25, 18+)
A DJ spinning anime soundtracks, a cosplay exhibition, and performance by anime cover supergroup ShadowRealm.
Tortoise Hardy (Revolver Records, 810 Elmwood Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $10)
Will Blanda’s World’s Largest Trio (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
Loop-de-Loop (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $10)
Ween tribute.
Gypsy Queen (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 5:30pm doors/7pm, $20-$25)
Tribute to both Fleetwood Mac & Heart.
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.
Level 3 & 4 Showcase (Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave #207, 8:30pm, $8adv/$10/$5 students)
BIH’s improv students perform.
Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 10pm, $8)
Saturday 5/16
Hey Bitch (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $25adv/$20 students)
Electric violinist Bitch (of duo Bitch and Animal) performs a one-woman show, including music from her album Bitchcraft.
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.
Hit the Lights (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm, $34-$44, 16+)
Pop-punk band. w/Major League
In Flames (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 7pm, $41, 16+)
Australian metalcore band. w/thrown, Distant
Dirty Pop Party (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 8pm, $10)
A DJ spins 90s-00s pop hits in between performances by J-Line, Spud, Rattlesnake Jake, and Velvet Bethany.
Johnny Hart and the Mess (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/8pm, $15adv/$20, 18+)
American roots rock. w/Buffalo Dead All Stars
The Brothers Band (Revolver Records, 810 Elmwood Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $15adv/$20)
Gathered in Their Masses Fundraiser (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm, $10)
Black Sabbath tribute, to raise funds for Pawsitive for Heroes, who provide service dogs to vets.
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 5/17
The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 6pm doors/7pm, $15adv/$20, 18+)
Gospel combined with blues, folk, and country. w/Part Time Genius, PA Line
Steve Hofstetter (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 6pm, $39)
Hardworking stand-up, and host of Fox’s Laughs.
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.
Shadow of the Vampire (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, noon, FREE)
A screening of the 2000 indie horror film, starring John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe.
Erin Hoyle & Steve Padin (The Caz, 2221 Seneca St, 5:30pm doors/7pm, $10-$15)
The duo performs the classics as part of The Caz Supper Club.
Dr. Jazz & the Jazzbugs (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 3:30-5:30pm, FREE)
We’re not sure but we think they play jazz.
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 5/18
The One and Only Dick Gregory (Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave, 6pm)
A screening of the 2021 documentary about the late comedian and activist.
Orthodox (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 7:30pm, $21, 16+)
Nashville metalcore band.
Evergreen Echose (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm doors/7:30pm, All Ages)
High-energy jam band.
Will Blanda’s World’s Largest Trio (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 5/19
Andrew Duhon (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/8pm, $30adv/$35)
New Orleans-based roots music singer and guitarist.
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 5/20
Between the Buried and Me (Town Ballroom, 681 Main St, 6pm, $43, 16+)
This prog-metal outfit headlines a night of bands with long names. w/Imperial Triumphant, The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die
Mama’s Broke (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm doors/7:30pm, $20adv/$25)
Dark DIY folk.
Inoha (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 7:30pm, $34, 16+)
The New Moods (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 6-8pm, FREE)
The Social Assassins (Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St, 8pm)
Spring Doormat Paint & Sip (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 6-8pm, $60, All Ages)
Paint your own spring- or sports-related doormat (supplies included) in this social DIY event.
Comedy Open Mic (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7:30pm, FREE w/reservation)
Over 20 comics perform. Two-item minimum.
Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, sign up 7pm, show 9:30pm)
