Buffalo Comedy: Comedy events are selling out across Buffalo this weekend. Here’s which shows are still up for grabs.

(Above: Ari Matti Mustonen. © http://www.johncafaro.com via IMDB).

By Jason Pomietlasz

I would like to take a moment for some lightheartedness instead of the usual seriousness to acknowledge the sold out shows this week. Dan Soder sold out his Friday show and Irishmen David Nihill sold out his Thursday Helium show. Ari Matti sold out three of his six shows and the Peter Antoniou show is sold out. So thank you for following my advice and going to see live comedy.

Thursday, Feb. 26

Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite 207, Buffalo.
Improv Mixer, a relaxed environment to try out improv or just to watch. Sign-ups at 6:45 p.m., 7 p.m. start. $5 suggested or pay what you can. 

Mr. Goodbar, 1110 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, 8 p.m. Free.
Open mic comedy on the second floor. Sign-ups at 7 p.m, hosted by the above average height Bennett Solowski.

The Wood and Wine’s Comic Strip, 25 N. Johnson Parkway, Buffalo. 7 p.m., free. 

A brand new open mic in the Elmwood area hosted by Mamudu Kargbo.  With comic in the name of the venue, how could they not have an open mic. Signups at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 27 

Buffalo Comedy Collective, 155 Chandler Street, Buffalo. 

Comedy Sportz match-up. Two teams “competitively” play short form improv games with suggestions from the audience, who also decides the winner. 7 p.m., tickets $18. 

The Comedy Showcase with host Gian Carlo Misso and a hand picked list of local and near local comics. The event is 18+ recommended due to content. 9 p.m., tickets $5.

Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite 207, Buffalo. 

The Happy Hour Improv Jam. Try improv for the first time with experienced improvisers or practice what you have already learned. 6:30 p.m., tickets $5 or pay what you can. 

Improv Collider, BIH house teams “Bedelia” and “Hannah Montana” will perform different long-form improv styles. 7:30 p.m., tickets $10 presale or $12 general admission. 

Misty Guild Cafe, 324 Niagara Street, Unit 103, 5 p.m., free. 

A new Friday night open mic in the Falls hosted by open mic veteran Don Johnson. Enjoy some coffee and jokes as you ponder why the American side just isn’t as good as the Canadian side. 

Third Space Cafe & Entertainment, 777 Main St., Buffalo, 8 p.m., tickets $10 presale or $20 at the door. 

Valentine’s Day Comedy Showcase (2 weeks late), hosted by Chelsea Mae and featuring Kyle Tonaus, Cat Mattis, Andrew Joslyn, Trebor Finnegan, Connor Mink, Brody Walsh, Jake Piskor and music by Evan Laedke & Co. 

Saturday, Feb. 28

Buffalo Comedy Collective, 155 Chandler Street, Buffalo. 

ComedySportz Saturday match-up. Two teams “competitively” play short form improv games with suggestions from the audience, who also decides the winner. 7 p.m., tickets $18. 

Improv Jam, improvisers of all experience levels are welcome for a $5 bucket jam. Just show up, put your name in the bucket for a chance to perform multiple times. 9:30 p.m.

Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite 207, Buffalo.

“Partners in Crime”, a rotating group of students and improv community members, will perform followed by “Unicorn Parade” which will improvise a one-act play that takes place in a single location based on audience suggestions. 8 p.m., tickets starting at $10. 

Papi Grande’s Lancaster, 20 W. Main St., Lancaster. 7 p.m., tickets $10. 

Not your Papi’s comedy show. Local comics Chris Hasenauer, Laura Evans, Clayton Williams and host Don Johnson take the “stage” at PGI. Food and drink specials available. 

Rivera Theater, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda, 7:30 p.m., tickets $20

John “Dr. Dirty” Valby with special guest Rob Lederman. Valby is a classically trained pianist but soon discovered that there’s very little money in the classic piano business no matter how good the composition. And like Marie Curie he stumbled upon a discovery, the power of “DIRT”, his term for the lyrics to his songs, which you probably wouldn’t sing in front of your grannie.  But the true magic of his shows is his rapport with the audience and the hive-mindedness as everyone sings along with his dirty diddies. And hopefully Lederman refrains from comparing anyone’s skin tone to coffee or any other hot beverage.

Saturday – Sunday, Feb. 28 – March 1

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. Times vary, tickets $31.99 – 190.99 (Couples package).

Ari Mustonen is originally from Estonia which makes his comedy perspective a fish out of water, which is one the top genres. Mustonen is a paid regular at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership and a recurring member of the “Kill Tony” podcast. His Friday and first Saturday show is sold out. 

Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo. 7 p.m., tickets starting at $108.

Bert Kreischer brings his “Permission to Party”  World Tour to the theater district. Kreischer’s career started with Rolling Stone’s 1997 article “Number One Partier in the Nation,” because he spent seven years at Florida State University before graduating  and was the inspiration for the movie “National Lampoon’s Van Wilder. Currently Kreischer is one of the top grossing stand-ups working and a role model for out of shape dudes who like to take their shirt off. *There are very few tickets left**

Monday, March 2

Tudor Lounge, 335 Franklin Street, Buffalo, 8:30 p.m. 

Comedy Open Mic Comedy. Start your week by hearing new premises and jokes. Once again hosted by the venerable Don Johnson with a bucket draw. Sign-ups at 7. Free.

Tuesday, March 3

Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen Street, Buffalo, 9 p.m. 

Rust Belt Comedy Showcase, Buffalo’s longest running comedy show hosted by Jake Samson and Jake Piskor also known as the two Jakes. Signups at rustbeltcomedy.weebly.com. Free. 

Third Space Cafe & Entertainment, 777 Main St., Buffalo, 7 p.m.

The Early Bird Comedy Open Mic. The first mic of Tuesdays hosted by Brody Walsh and Connor Mink. Signups start at 6:30 p.m. Free.

Penny Lane, 10255 Main Street, Clarence. 7 p.m., tickets starting at $15.

Crack You Up Monthly Comedy Night at the Lane with local comics Julie Schulz, Lila Vers, John Lockwood, W.T. Ferrell III, Eric Welsted and Jesse Winterhalter.

Wednesday, March 4

Milkie’s Elmwood Lounge, 522 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo. 

Comedy Open Mic Comedy. Sign-ups at 7 or online, show starts at 9ish p.m. Hosted by the super funny Jesse Winterhalter. Free. 

Road Less Traveled Productions, 456 Main St., Buffalo, 7:30 p.m., tickets $20.

An improvised two-act play with a cast of experienced improvisers and a special guest, usually a local actor, using the set of the current play running at the RLTP, ensuring the show is a blend of grounded theater and comedy. This week’s guest is Alex Garcia who joins the resident cast of Kevin Di Lucente, Todd Benzin, Don Gervasi, Annie Moor and Jimmie Byrd.

Have a comedy event you want to add, email lakeeffectcomedy@gmail.com.