Buffalo Comedy: Tons of comedy events are happening in Buffalo across the next week. Keep reading to see what’s happening and where.

By Jason Pomietlasz

Today in 1962, three people escaped from Alcatraz Prison, which shows what you can do when you’re motivated.  And you don’t even need to make a paper mache dummy or fight currents in 50 degree shark infested waters to go see live comedy. 

Thursday, June 11

Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite w, 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 newish 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? Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 7:30 p.m., tickets $38.99 – 194.99 (Couples package).  

Before Mark Viera was a professional comic he would entertain his family with accurate portrayals from shows like “Carol Burnett”, “Sanford and Son” and “Three’s Company. His special “Tales of a Nuyorican” is available on his website. 

Friday – Sunday, June 12 – 14 

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. Times vary, tickets $43.99 – 204.99 (Couples package).

Desi Banks is a triple threat, besides a comic, he’s an actor, podcaster and entrepreneur. He was a wide receiver at Morehead College and then Georgia State. Football didn’t pan out so he started making videos on Vine and expanded from there. He grew a strong social media presence, started touring and hasn’t stopped.

Friday, June 12

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. 

Stand-Up Open Mic night, every second Friday of the month. Comics get five minutes and must sign up here: virtual sign-up sheet for a chance to perform. You can sign up in person but there is no guarantee that you’ll make the list. 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. 

Support Queer Art, a show that highlights queer artists of the Buffalo area that will inspire an evening of improv by an all-queer cast. Drag performers Freddie Knight, Julióso Jugoso and Ania Murphy will perform following the show. 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission. 

Babeville, 341 Delaware Ave., downstairs, Buffalo. 8 p.m., tickets starting $18.54.

“That Comedy Show at Babeville,” a monthly showcase of different comics from Buffalo and surrounding areas. The lineup is Jeremy Dobski, Frank Corbiserie, Taña Barajas, Jesse Winterhalter & Eric Basile, hosted by Jacob Morrison.

Saturday, June 13 

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.

Indie summer continues with “Coyote Juice,” “Laugh on the Spectrum” and “Group Project.” 6 p.m., tickets $7. 

“Frunkles Friends” will bring their own brand of whackiness followed by resident team “Unicorn Parade” who will improvise a one-act play. 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission. 

“Wizard Fight,” where two improvisers (wizards) will complete imaginary tasks using suggestions from the audience to gather magical items and mystical powers that will feature short form and long form improv, all overseen by the “Mysterious Master Of Games.” 8:30 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission. 

Monday, June 15

Hen House, 690 Hertel Street, Buffalo, 7 p.m.

The Bird Soup Comedy Open Mic. A new open mic hosted by Brody Walsh and Connor Mink who love a good bird pun. Sign-ups start at 6 p.m. Free.

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, June 16

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

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

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 7 p.m., tickets $14.99 – 24.99 

The Buffalo’s Funniest Person Competition Returns. Around 80 people will vie for the title and the $3,500 prize money. The contestants for the first preliminary round will be Hannah Premo, Cindy Arena, Rachel Daze, Ken Dudek, Owen Szantor, Mick Ryan, Nate English, Katarina Valentine, Brody Walsh, Dario Joseph, Hot Gonzalez, Meghan Rose and Mike Price. 

Wednesday, June 17

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. 

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

Cultural Swap is Cleveland natives T-Bone and Solo, who started making social media content  to start conversations and challenge perspectives by sharing traditions, hobbies or daily life with people from different backgrounds. The concept went viral so they decided to bring it to live on stage.

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