What’s Good – November 23-29, 2023

Our weekly guide to what’s going on around Buffalo and in the world of pop culture.

Thursday, 11/23

Thanksgiving (America, all day, prices vary)
Spend time with your family, eat some turkey, toss the football around, and enjoy your last moment of respite before the endless assault of Christmas music. And then get away from your family by checking out everything happening around Buffalo for the long weekend!

YMCA Turkey Trot (2564 Delaware Ave, 9am, $47)
This 8k race is the oldest consecutively run footrace in the world. Recent races have included runners in costume, bands playing from upstairs porches, people throwing TimBits off the Scajaquada to runners below, and roadside tables passing out beer instead of water. In other words, energetic fun as it could only happen in Buffalo. Race goes from the Delaware Ave. Y to Niagara Square, with post-race snacks, beer, (and grudingly, water) at the Convention Center, plus shuttles running back to the starting line. Register here.

New Movies This Week

Napoleon (in wide release)
Joaquin Phoenix plays the general-turned-Emperor in Ridley Scott’s historical epic. See the 2-and-a-half-hour version in theaters, or wait for the 4+ hour version to hit Apple TV.

Wish (in wide release)
Ariana DeBose stars as the latest Disney Princess, who becomes the apprentice of King Magnifico (Chris Pine), who can grant wishes… but often chooses not to.

Maestro (Netflix)
Bradley Cooper directs and stars in this biopic of Leonard Bernstein, America’s most famous 20th-century conductor, and his wife, actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). With Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, and Sarah Silverman.

Leave the World Behind (Netflix)
Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, and Ethan Hawke star in this psychological thriller from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail.

Good Burger 2 (Paramount+)
We’re not sure why a kids’ comedy from 1997 needs a sequel 26 years later, but since Kenan Thompson’s been on SNL for nearly all of those 26 years, we’re just glad Kel’s getting some work.

Genie (Peacock)
A lonely woman (Paapa Essiedu) finds and befriends a genie (Melissa McCarthy), in a remake of 1991 British made-for-TV movie Bernard and the Genie, although it feels like a gender-swapped remake of the Tilda Swinton/Idris Elba genie movie from last year.

Friday, 11/24

Lowest of the Low (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, SOLD OUT)
These Canadian 90s alt-rockers are playing a sold-out show.

Revel (Revolution Gallery, 1419 Hertel Ave, 6-11pm)
Join the gallery’s 7th Anniversary party, celebrating pop-surrealism. With music by Hot Club Express.

Fall Makers & Shakers (Powerhouse, 140 Lee St, Fri 11-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 10-3; $5)
Three days of over 125 local artisans, vendors, and artisanal alcohol, including a Bloody Mary bar, food trucks, music, and free samples. Kids under 10 free, strollers discouraged due to space.

Holiday Makers Market (The Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Fri 11-5, Sat 10-5; FREE)
Two days of local artisans and vendors, including Small Business Saturday.

Queen City Traveling Market: Holiday Edition (The Barrel Factory, 65 Vandalia St, Fri/Sat/Sun noon-4pm)
Two days of local artisans and vendors, and a collection of canned goods and hygiene supplies for the WNY Food Shuttle.

Maddy Smith (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, Fri/Sat 7:30pm & 10pm, Sun 8pm; $26, 18+)
Smith has spent five seasons as a cast member on Wild N Out when she isn’t touring as a stand-up.

Spiria (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 8:30pm; $10)
With Adelaide, Goodbye Metro, Pink Droid.

Hilario Duran (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7pm; $10)
This Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist’s latin jazz show is sold out.

Finick (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 7pm; $10)
with Addisyn Logan, Ryan Kaminski Band.

Live Band Karaoke (Rec Room, 79 W. Chippewa St, 10pm; $8)
Belt out your favorite pop songs in front of a live band.

Workingman’s Dead (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm; $15, 18+)
Grateful Dead cover band.

Saturday 11/25

World’s Largest Disco (Buffalo Convention Center, 153 Franklin St, 8pm; SOLD OUT)
This groovy annual Thanksgiving tradition has sold out for the 27th year in a row! Outta sight!

Celebrating Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderly (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm; $12 bar/$15 stage)
A tribute to the singer and saxophonist’s joint 1962 album, Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderly.

Adventure Club (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 8pm; $34.50, 18+)
What club is it, Jake? This EDM duo arrives on their Heroes & Villains tour, with Effin, and Whales.

The Vinny Barbarino Experience (Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St, 8pm; $10)
Buffalo’s long-running disco/R&B/funk/soul tribute band, plus DJs, dancers, prizes, and more.

The Hip Experience (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8pm; $20, 18+)
Lot of experiences happening Saturda night. This one’s a Tragically Hip cover band that originated as a memorial tribute to that band’s late singer, Gord Downie.

Gobble Wobble Wubfest (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 8:30pm; $10)
With DiffuzeFX.

Sunday 11/26

Baroness (Town Ballroom, 681 S. Main St, 5:30pm; $29.50, 16+, 12+ w/guardian)
Heavy metal from Georgia. With Soul Glo.

The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, 8pm; $64-117)
Kick off the Xmas season with Drag Race icons BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon.

Monday 11/27

Jonas Brothers (KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour Knox Plaza; 7pm; $70)
Pop music’s first family revisits their old hits on the “Five Albums. One Night.” tour.

Julian Montague (112 UB Center For the Arts; 6:30pm; FREE)
Local artist, photographer, and graphic designer Montague gives a talk as part of UB’s Visiting Artist Speaker Series.

Adults-Only Full Moon Hike (Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann St; 5-6:30pm; $8, 18+)
We’re as seasonally depressed as you are at the thought that this moonlight hike takes place at 5pm. And we assume ‘adults only’ just means quiet and not sexy stuff, but then, any hike can be sexy if you believe in yourself

Tuesday 11/28

Dragula Viewing Party & Drag Show (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm; $10)

Wednesday 11/29

Karma Gyalchen Bomzan (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 6pm, $30)
Indian-born Bomzan now lives in Nepal and has been a fixture on the Nepali music scene, writing and performing everythingi from Ghazals to film scores to classical music.

Allman Betts Family Revival (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, 8pm, $41-101)
Devon Allman and Duane Betts play tribute to their fathers’ group, The Allman Brothers’ Band.