Buffalo Comedy: Several comedy events and performs are happening all over the WNY area. The Comedy Buzz has what’s happening and where.

(Jack Grady. Graphic via @jackgradymagic on Instagram)

By Jason Pomietlasz

The Buffalo Sabres are proving my therapist right, that change is possible. If they can go from 30th in the league last year to making the playoffs, you can start washing the tower of dirty clothes creating an unnatural skyline in your bedroom and leave your home to see live comedy. 

Thursday, April 23

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. 

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 $13 – 184.99 (Couples package).

Jack Grady is a comedy magician who practices chaotic magic. Grady has the distinction of having the shortest audition in America’s Got Talent history and his documentary detailing the behind the scenes of his performances will premier at the 2026 New York Film Festival. 

Friday – Saturday, April 24 – 25

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. Times vary, tickets $13 – 190.99 (Couples package).

Ryan Sickler hosts four thriving podcasts “The HoneyDew,” “The Honeydew with Y’all,” “The CrabFeast” and “The Wayback” and all that talking has helped elevate his storytelling style of standup. His last two specials “Lefty’s Son” and “Live & Alive” are available for free on YouTube. 

Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, 310 4th St Niagara Falls. 8 p.m., tickets starting at $58.

Rob Schneider slides into the Niagara region for two shows. He was a cast member of Saturday Night Live for four seasons and created several memorable characters like “The Copy Guy” and his “Dude” bit from HBO’s “Young Comedians Special” still holds up and is testament to what a tight 5 used to get you in the industry.  

Friday, April 24 

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. 

Collider Night. Collider teams “Bedelia,” “Hannah Montana,” “Unnecessarily Complicated,” and “Bad Haircut” will perform their brand of improv. 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission. 

Rob’s Playhouse Theater, 3200 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. 8 p.m., tickets starting at $23.50.  

Joel Lindley is a native of Rochester and has headlined across the country. He has appeared on Conan O’Brien and Comedy Central. 

The Wood and Wine’s Comic Strip, 25 N. Johnson Parkway, Buffalo. 7 p.m., tickets $16. 

Comedy in Comic Strip Hall. Hosted by Mamudu Kargbo and starring Gian Misso, Andrew Joslyn, Johnny Caliente, Ohio Funny Chic, Katarina Valentine and Jameel Key.

Saturday, April 25 

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. 

Mic Drop: A Musical Improv Show. BCC’s musical improv team will play a variety of shortform games that will lead into song. 9 p.m., tickets $18. 

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

“Frunkle’s Friends”  is a blend of longform and shortform improv. “Show & Tell” is a five person team that plays short form games for your amusement. Both teams will need suggestions from the audience. 7 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission. 

Babushka is Buffalo’s longest-running long form improv show. With over 50 years of improv experience combined, Todd Benzin and Don Gervasi create an entirely improvised play based on an audience suggestion, playing multiple characters. 8:30 p.m., tickets $15 presale or $20 general admission.

Knights of Columbus, 1530 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo. 7 p.m., tickets starting at $30.

3rd Annual Comedy for a Cause. All proceeds to benefit Haircuts For Those in Need. 

Sunday, April 26

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 7 p.m., tickets $30.99 – 180.99 (Couples package).

Justin Whitehead gained internet attention with his videos about “My 600 Pound Life.” Whitehead has jokes about other topics as well. 

Monday, April 27

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.

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 7:30 p.m., tickets $18 – 186.74 (Couples package).

Jerrod Carmichael has done everything a comic should do, become a headliner, star in a sitcom, film a special, host an award show, become disillusioned with showbiz and then return to standup. His last special, “Don’t Be Gay,” can be streamed on HBO Max. The event will be a phone-free experience. Use of phones, smart watches and accessories will not be permitted in the performance space. Upon arrival at the venue, all phones, smart watches and accessories will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event. 

Tuesday, April 28

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. 

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. Sign-ups start at 6:30 p.m. Free.

Wednesday, April 29

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).

Poly Díaz is a Venezuelan comedian and actress based between Mexico and the United States. Diaz’s show will be entirely in Spanish.

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 Mike Anderson who joins the resident cast of Kevin Di Lucente, Todd Benzin, Don Gervasi, Annie Moor and Jimmie Byrd.

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