Buffalo Comedy: The Comedy Buzz has your guide to upcoming comedy events for the next week in Buffalo

(Above: Marlon Wayans via @marlonwayans on Facebook)

By Jason Pomietlasz

Yesterday at Starbucks, the barista asked for a name for the order of the elderly woman in front of me and she proceeded to give her full name of Helen K. Wiśniewski. And it dawned on me that it must have been her first time visiting the corporate giant. So if Helen is out there trying new things, you can too, by going to see live comedy. 

Thursday, April 9

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 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 $13 – 180.99 (Couples package).

Mohanad Elshieky is a Libyan born comic who made his national TV debut on Conan and has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Don’t Tell Comedy and Comedy Central. Elshieky is currently a contributing writer on NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me.” In 2024, he was selected to be one of the SF Sketchfest Dozen, a spotlight series for comics who are on the verge of becoming the next big thing.

Area 54, 3234 Main Street, Buffalo. 8 p.m., tickets $8.

“If You Give a Comedian a Cookie” will answer the age-old question of what would happen if a lactose intolerant person has some cookies and milk, then does standup. If you’re sitting in the front row, bring a tarp like you were going to a Gallagher show. 

Friday – Sunday, April 10 – 12

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 4 & 4:15 p.m., tickets $61.74 – 238.49 (Couples package).

Marlon Wayans returns to Buffalo and to quote Yogi Berra “it’s déjà vu all over again.” Just like last year, all shows sold out so he added an early Saturday and Sunday show. Wayans is part of the illustrious show-business Wayans family and has starred in over 20 films but is best known for his roles in “White Chicks” and the “Scary Movie” series which he also co-wrote. The long awaited “Scary Movie 6” will be out in June and I’m still waiting for that White Chicks sequel.  

Friday, April 10 

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. 

A Couple of Nerds Trivia Showdown, where the audience competes to win with the best and funniest answers against a cast of improvised characters and villains. A never-before-seen-again game show which will test your trivia knowledge and sense of humor. 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission.

“Wizard Fight” is a new show 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. 

Saturday, April 11 

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.

“Defiant Monkey” and the Level Four Showcase will perform on a double bill. Defiant Monkey is an improv duo, Karen Eichler and Andrew Spragge, that was formed in 2009. They work intimately with the audience to produce a highly interactive shortform show, where a variety of scene-based games are played and often involve audience volunteers to varying degrees. The Harold is an improv structure that was developed by Del Close. 7 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission.

Following that is another double bill of “Buffalo Cursebreakers” and “Unicorn Parade.” Buffalo Cursebreakers is a new team that will explore Buffalo’s alternative past and possible future through improv with the hope that some day, it will create just the right scene to break the curse on Buffalo. Unicorn Parade will weave a narrative tale through one location, exploring all kinds of characters and situations based on audience suggestions.  8:30 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission.

The Mahogany, 190 Minerva Street, Tonawanda. 7 p.m., tickets starting at $10. 

The Pub & Grub Comedy Tour. A summer series bringing touring comics from around the country that you may not have heard of, yet, to Buffalo. Saturday’s show will feature Rob Coleman and Mike Cotayo. 

Santora’s Pizza Pub, 7800 Transit Road, Williamsville. 8 p.m., tickets $27.

Stand Up Comedy presented by Next Stop Comedy. This month’s installment includes Jake Sampson (Buffalo’s Funniest winner), AnnaMarie DePalma, Alex Brady and Jameel Key (Buffalo’s Funniest winner). 

Monday, April 13

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, April 14

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 15

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 $13 – 174.99 (Couples package).

Chris Franjola’s “Cover to Cover” was recently voted one of the 50 funniest podcasts by Popsugar. Franjola was a writer and performer on “Chelsea Lately” for eight years and his 2024 special “Young Hair, Old Face,” is available on Spotify and iTunes. 

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