What’s Good – December 14-20, 2023

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

Thursday, 12/14

Sam Morrill (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, Th 7pm/Fr 10pm/Sa 10pm, $33)
NYC comic Morrill has had the #1 comedy album on iTunes (Class Act), three specials for Comedy Central, and has performed on basically every late-night show, as well as being a regular on This Week at the Comedy Cellar. Three of his five shows this weekend have already sold out, and tickets to the remaining three are going fast.

Holiday Pops (Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Thu-Fri 10:30am/Sat 7:30pm/Sun 2:30pm, $12-67)
John Morris Russell conducts the Buffalo Philharmonic through a program of holiday favorites.

Griff Kaz Quartet (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7pm, $10/$15)
The quartet returns for a night of original compositions and reimagined standards.

Karaoke (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 8:30pm)

Friday, 12/15

That Comedy Show (9th Ward, 341 Delaware Ave, 7pm, $10adv/$15)
This week’s lineup includes Greg Bauch, Mark DeBonis, Freddy Doless, John Lockwood, Katie Scanlon, Senneca Stone, Andy Ticco, and Kai Vondoom.

Third Friday (The Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, 10am-5pm, FREE)
Every third Friday of the month, the museum provides special family programming, including crafts and children’s activities.

Hayley Jane & Annie In the Water (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $15adv/$20)
Americana group Annie In the Water and singer/songwriter Hayley Jane team up to perform Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours.

Real Friends & Knuckle Puck (Town Ballroom, 618 Main St, 6pm, $30)
with One Step Closer and Arm’s Length.

A Star People Holiday (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 7pm, $12/$15)
Featuring music from A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Nutcracker, and other holiday classics.

Music by the Campire (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 8:30pm)
Featuring Featherburn, Lauren Clifford, Magical Misery Tour, Mini Marching Machine, and Red Huffy.

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

New Movies This Week

Wonka (In wide release)
Timothée Chalamet’s charms are largely wasted in this unneccessary sequel to the beloved classic.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (Netflix)
23 years might seem late for a sequel to the charming original, but in our view Aardman Animation can do no wrong. Thandiwe Newton and Zachary Levi step in for Julia Sawalha and Mel Gibson as the voices of Ginger and Rocky, whose happily-ever-after at the end of the original film is threatened when villainous Mrs. Tweedy (a returning Miranda Richardson) wants her chickens back.

The Family Plan (Apple TV+)
Mark Wahlberg plays a suburban dad whose past as an assassin catches up to him, in a casting choice clearly designed to appeal to Wahlberg’s “I could have stopped 9/11” delusions.

Rebel Moon (Netflix)
“What if Star Wars but by Zach Snyder” is most likely either enthralling or horrifying to you. Plan your viewing accordingly.

Jorugaa Husharugaa (Elmwood Center)
Anu Prasdad directs Vriaj Ashwin and Pujita Ponnada in this romcom.

Pindam (Elmwood Center)
A based-on-a-true-story thriller from Saikiran Daida. Telugu w/English subtitles.

Hi Nanna (Elmwood Center)
Romantic drama about a fashion photographer (Nani), whose 6-year-old daughter is suffering from cystic fibrosis, and wants to know the truth about her missing mother. Telugu w/English subtitles.

Animal (Elmwood Center)
Violence keeps following Ranbir Kapoor in this action drama from Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Hindi w/English subtitles.

Saturday 12/16

Dustin Nickerson (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 8pm, $22)
Nickerson’s special Overwhelmed is one of Amazon’s highest-rated comedy specials, and his podcast, Don’t Make Me Come Back There, has over a million downloads. There are a limited number of tickets going for $10.

Queen City Traveling Market (The Barrel Factory, 65 Vandalia St, noon-4pm)
Local artisans and artists peddle their wares.

It Was a Wonderful Life (Forest Lawn Cemetery, 1990 Main St, Sat/Sun 2pm, $35)
Some of the cemetery’s permanent residents look back on their lives and Christmases past in this original musical.

Super American (Rec Room, 79 W Chippewa St, 6pm, $27, 16+)
with Head North, Carpool, and Autoignition.

Janice Mitchell & the Jim Beishline Trio (PAUSA Art House, 19 Wadsworth St, 6:30pm, SOLD OUT)
Pianist Beishline and vocalist Mitchell perform jazzy versions of holiday classics.

Mimosas & Minuets (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 1pm)
Holiday music by five members of Sarah Cole’s violin studio.

Divi Romé Band (Duende, 85 Silo City Row, 7pm)
All original afrobeats, reggae, and jazz.

DMVU & Toadface (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 8:30pm, $19.50)

T.T.T.T. (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 8pm)
with Friendly Company, Ryan Terry Family Band.

Let’s Sing Taylor (Town Ballroom, 618 Main St, 4pm/8pm, $30)
This is billed as “A Live Band Experience,” and that doesn’t clarify whether it’s a T-Swift cover band, or live band karaoke, but could be fun either way.

Sunday 12/17

Holiday Book Fair (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 11am, FREE)
Local booksellers and authors ply their wares, alongside food and alcohol vendors, and there’s a free book exchange.

Monday 12/18

Annie (Shea’s Buffalo, 650 Main St, Mon-Sat 7pm/Fri & Sat 1pm, $50-$102)
The classic musical about the ophan plucked from a hard knock life to live with a millionaire. This week only.

Tuesday 12/19

Open Mic Night (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 6-9pm)

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

Wednesday 12/20

DJ Brownie (Iron Works, 49 Illinois St, 7pm, $16adv/$18)
Disco Biscuits bassist DJ Brownie spins a full set of house music.

Open Mic Night (Helium, 30 Mississippi St, 7pm, FREE w/two-drink minimum)
See over 20 up-and-coming comedians try out their material.

Comedy Open Mic (Milkie’s, 522 Elmwood Ave, 9pm)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+)
After a trainwreck film adaptation, the beloved fantasy YA series gets a second chance that fans are optimistic about so far.