Buffalo Comedy: This weekend is shaping up to be a big one for comedy. Here’s what’s happening in Buffalo comedy this weekend.

(Above: Billy Gardell and Folake Olowofoyeku in Bob Hearts Abishola (2019).

By Jason Pomietlasz

Michelangelo was born on this day, a long time ago. He sculpted David, which makes us guys feel okay about ourselves, and painted the Sistine Chapel. He lived to be 88 years-old, which was pretty good for the time and attributed his longevity to going to see live comedy when not crafting masterpieces.

Friday – Saturday, March 6 – 7

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. Times vary, tickets $40.04 – 204.99 (Couples package).

Noel Miller first gained attention by posting videos with Vine, which only gave you six seconds to be funny, so imagine what he can do with an hour. Miller co-founded TMG Studios, a podcast network and his debut stand-up comedy special, “Stop Crying” is free on YouTube. 

Friday, March 6 

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 BCC Shorties hit the stage with host and coach, Sal Winston, for a fast-paced shortform show and all they need is suggestions from the audience. 9 p.m., tickets $12.

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 “Bad Haircut” and “Unnecessarily Complicated” will perform different long-form improv styles. 7:30 p.m., tickets $10 presale or $12 general admission. 

The Faculty show, the faculty of BIH will perform with some help from the audience. 8:30 p.m., tickets $22. 

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. 

Saturday, March 7

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. 

BCC’s “Script Tease” troupe will improvise an entire movie inspired by audience suggestions. 9 p.m., tickets $18.

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

“Various Factors,” a broadway-esque improv musical comedy show where everything is made up on the spot, including lyrics, melodies and choreography. All inspired from audience suggestions. 7 p.m., tickets $20 presale or $25 general admission.

Center for the Arts Suny Buffalo, 100 Coventry Road, Buffalo, 7 p.m., tickets starting at $49.50

The Gen-X Takeover Comedy Tour comes to UB. The Real Slim Sherri, Jon Wellington (The Dadbod Veteran, DBV), Nick Harrison (The Professor), and Kelly Manno are all part of generation X and each has a different perspective of growing up during the late 80’s and early 90’s and being “latchkey kids.” 

Rob’s Playhouse Theater, 3200 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. 7:30 p.m, tickets starting at $23.50.

Dan Altano was named one of New York City’s “Breakout Artists” by Caroline’s On Broadway and performs regularly at Comic Strip Live, New York Comedy Club and Caroline’s on Broadway. 

Monday, March 9

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 p.m. Free.

Tuesday, March 10

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

Rust Belt Comedy Showcase. No open mic this week but Billy Gardell, star of “Mike & Molly,” and “Bob Hearts Abishola” will be running new material for his upcoming  “Less is More,” tour. 

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.

Wednesday, March 11

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

Comedy Open Mic Comedy. Sign-ups at 7 p.m. or online, show starts at 9-ish 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 Elise Smith who joins the resident cast of Kevin Di Lucente, Todd Benzin, Don Gervasi, Annie Moor and Jimmie Byrd.

The Caz, 2221 Seneca St., Buffalo. 7 p.m., tickets starting at $15

The “Crows” Comedy Showcase featuring Mingo, Sherman Webb-Middlebrooks, Mad Dukes, WT Farrell III, Denzel and hosted by Gian Miso. 

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 7:30 p.m., tickets $32.99 – 184.99 (Couples package).

Gabriel Rutledge won both the Seattle International Comedy Competition and The Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta and his Dry Bar Comedy Special “A Third of The Room” has been viewed more than a million times. Rutledge’s latest special “Good Luck in Court” debuted at #1 on the iTunes comedy charts is available on Apple music. He also found time to write a book, “Happiness Isn’t Funny: True Stories of a Road Comic.”

Doc Sullivan’s, 474 Abbott Rd., Buffalo, 6 p.m., tickets $12.51. 

Comedy Night at Doc’s with Joel Lindley. Lindley is a Rochester native who has appeared on Conan O’Brien and Comedy Central. 

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