Buffalo Comedy: Jason Pomietlasz’s Comedy Buzz is your guide to laughs this weekend in Buffalo

(Above: Craig Robinson in Conan (2010). Image via IMDB.com).

By Jason Pomietlasz

As AI comes closer to reality, I decided to ask ChatGBT if people should go see live comedy, to make sure I’m not on the wrong side of our soon-to-be overloads and save myself time in a re-education camp. Thankfully they said yes. 

Thursday, Aug 13

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 biweekly open mic in the Elmwood area hosted by Mamudu Kargbo. Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday – Sunday, Aug 13 – 16

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. Times vary, tickets $24 – 200.99. 

Craig Robinson is really going to soak in Buffalo since he’s doing six shows this weekend. He discovered his love of comedy after joining The Second City Improv Theater and then made his mark on the comedy circuit at the 1998 Montreal “Just For Laughs” Festival. Robinson is best known for his portrayal of “Darryl Philbin” on The Office and had roles in many of the big comedies from the early aughts.

Friday, Aug 14

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. 

The Comedy Incubator Showcase presents improv team “Show & Tell” and The Comedy Incubator roster. 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission.  

Indie Summer continues with “Coyote Juice,” “Bedlia” and “Wondering Eye.” 9 p.m., tickets $7. 

Saturday, Aug 15 

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. 

Bean’s Comedy Bash with Rob Hetherington, Bella Rubinton, Cat Mattis, WT Ferrell, Jameel Key and hosted by Bean Rich. 9 p.m., tickets $10. 

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

Various Factors Presents: The Movie From Memory The Musical. A lot of popular movies have been made into musicals in the past few years; Back to the Future, Death Becomes Her, Frozen, etc. Bring the title of your favorite movie and watch it be turned into a musical with songs, dialogue and choreography made up on the spot. 8:30 p.m., tickets $15 presale or $20 general admission.

Monday, Aug 17

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, Aug 18

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. 7:30 p.m., tickets $30.99 – 180.99. 

Philip Lindsay is a middle school teacher and content creator who mines his real life to find the funny for the stage. 

Wednesday, Aug 19

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. 

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