Buffalo Comedy: Comedian Lavell Crawford and more live acts come to Buffalo this weekend. The Comedy Buzz is your guide to what’s happening when.

(Above: Lavell Crawford. Photo via @lavell.crawford.52 on Facebook).

By Jason Pomietlasz

Today in 1347 there was an outbreak of compulsive, uncontrollable dancing in Aachen, Germany, that spread rapidly along the Rhine River into Belgium and the Netherlands. Thousands of people danced in wild trances for days or weeks, with many collapsing from exhaustion or dying. We would call that a flash mob today but historians believe people were joyful that they were able to go and see live comedy. 

Thursday, June 25

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 p.m., tickets $14.99 – 24.99 

The preliminary round continues with contestants Cody Webster, Darnell Davis, Cassie Puccia, Ni Ni, Dr. Bob, Bean Rich, Andrew Joslyn, Don Johnson, Terre King, Andy Ticco, Louie Gee, Devin Hogan and Phatmanhamm.   

Friday – Sunday, June 26 – 28 

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. Times vary, tickets $24 – 204.99 (Couples package).

Lavell Crawford returns to Buffalo for six shows. Crawford made career headway after appearing on “Last Comic Standing,” and as light-fingered pickpocket Heul Babineaux on “Breaking Bad.” Besides observational humor, he likes to discuss his weight loss journey and personal growth which is very relatable. 

Friday, June 26

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. 

Indie summer continues with a full slate of independent teams with “Thank You Potatoe,” “Denny’s Midnight Runnerz,” “Show And Tell” and “Pickle in the Middle. 7:30 p.m. tickets $7.

Milkie’s Elmwood Lounge, 522 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo. 8 p.m., tickets $5 presale or $10 general admission. 

The Bird Soup showcase featuring Jesse Winterhalter, Brody Walsh, Connor Mink, Shawn Lutz, Nikki Wagner, Drew Jemison and hosted by Annamaria DePalma.

Saturday, June 27 

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 Writer’s Bloc: Sketch and Standup Show. BCC’s writing team will bring to life sketches they’re been putting on paper for the last several months, interspersed with standup sets. 9 p.m., tickets $12. 

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

Good Neighbors, a monthly show featuring notable Buffalonians telling stories which improvisers use to craft scenes, with proceeds going to charity. This month’s edition is special for Pride month with monologist Vinny Murphy, raising money for Evergreen Health. 7 p.m., tickets $22.15 presale, $27.35 general admission or pay-what-you-can at the door. 

The Fun & Gay Mixer. Try improv for the first time with experienced improvisers or practice what you have already learned. 8:30 p.m., tickets $5 or pay what you can. 

Penny Lane, 10255 Main Street, Clarence. 8 p.m., tickets starting at $15.

Crack You Up Monthly Comedy Night at the Lane with local comics Julie Schulz, Lila Vers, Rick Matthews, Don Johnson, Jake Piskor and Mike Shanks.

Monday, June 29

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 30

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 preliminary round continues with contestants Vic Solo, Jake Kroll, Conor McCann, Mingo, Shawn Lutz, Eli Martinez, Annamarie DePalma, Nick Tillinghast, Jake Piskor, Kyle Tonaus, Josh Prygon, Jay Nowak and Michael Giambra. 

Wednesday, July 1

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 p.m., tickets $14.99 – 24.99 

The last show of the preliminary round with contestants Tana Barajas, Bill Walsh, Joe Nuttle, Jacob Morrison, Michael Kugel, W.T. Ferrell III, Mikey, Cat Mattis, Mike Shanks, Eric Basile, Casey Callahan, Caleb J Goldberg and Jay Crockett. 

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