A Reasonable Self-Promotion Post

By Jason Pomietlasz

When I was little, I remember watching the PBS telethon with my Dad thinking it was boring and I didn’t care about tote bags because I had nothing to tote except my G.I. action figure. Now that I’m no longer a dumb little kid, I understand the concept slightly better. The Hive is a non-for-profit that puts journalism ahead of the interests of advertisers. While that means not being beholden to anyone, it also means we have to rely on other revenue streams. 

We don’t have any Hive tote bags to give out, but we do have an afternoon of live entertainment that I dare say is worth more than a barrel full of coffee mugs or pull-over sweatshirts. 

This Sunday at Buffalo Iron Works, 2 p.m., we have a line-up of some great improvisers and stand-up comics, including myself, who want nothing more than to make you laugh. And this event is a twofer; you can support legitimate journalism and local comedy. As they say, read local, laugh local. For the full lineup or to buy tickets click HERE.  

Friday – Sunday, May 2 – 4 

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo, tickets $40.04.
Vinny Guadagnino entered the zeitgeist with “Jersey Shore,” and now GTL stands for “Get Those Laughs.” During his time away from the shore, Guadagnino starred in “Vinny & Ma Eat America” on the Food Network and “Joking Off” on MTV2 and became a best selling author.  

Friday, May 2

Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite 207, Buffalo.
Improv Collider, two of the BIH’s house teams perform on a double bill. 7 p.m., tickets $10. 

House and Friends, BIH faculty and local improvisers will perform. 8 p.m., $11.75.

The New Friday Mixer, same as Thursday’s mixer, just a later time. 9:30 p.m., $10 suggested. 

Buffalo Comedy Collective, 155 Chandler Street, Buffalo. 7 p.m., tickets $18.  
Comedy Sportz match-up. Two teams “competitively” play short form improv games with suggestions from the audience, who also decides the winner. 

Fallsview Casino Resort, 6380 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls. 8 p.m., tickets starting at $71.87. 
You might be a Jeff Foxworthy fan if you already knew that he is the best-selling comedy-recording artist, a multiple Grammy Award nominee, and bestselling author of more than twenty-six books. Foxworthy also hosted or starred in five TV series and was part of one of the most successful comedy tours of all time, The Blue Collar Comedy Tour. 

Saturday, May 3

Buffalo Improv House, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite 207, Buffalo.
“Various Factors,” a broadway-esque improv musical comedy show where everything is made up on the spot, including lyrics, melodies and choreography. All inspired from audience suggestions. 7 p.m., tickets starting at $13.82. 

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.

Goods and Services: Furry Friends Edition. A team of improvisers interview local business owners, this month it will be Laundromutt & Sit Means Sit, and will perform a set inspired from the interview. 9 p.m., tickets $18. 

** Shane Gillis’s Saturday show at the KeyBank Center is sold out. Lots of people try to turn bad events into something positive. For example by saying getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to them. But, getting fired from “Saturday Night Live” was the best thing that happened to him. Possibly try StubHub for tickets. 

Sunday, May 4

Revolver Records, 810 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. 7 p.m., free.
Sunday comedy at Revolver Records. Along with comedians, there will be live DJ’s and the bar and store will be open.  

Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo. 7 p.m., tickets starting at $25. 
Wanda Sykes is an Emmy winner, actress and producer, who has entertained audiences for over 20 years. She has ranked among Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America” and has the comedy specials to prove it. 

Monday, May 5

Tudor Lounge, 335 Franklin Street, Buffalo, 8 p.m. 
Comedy Open Mic Comedy. Start your week by hearing new premises and jokes. Sign-ups at 7. Free.

Tuesday, May 6

Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen Street, Buffalo, 9 p.m. 
Rust Belt Comedy Showcase, Buffalo’s longest running comedy open mic. Free. 

Wednesday, May 7 

Milkies, 522 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo. 
Comedy Open Mic Comedy. Sign-ups at 7, show starts at 9 p.m. Free. 

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, using the set of the current play running at the RLTP. 

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 
Open Mic, where over 20 comics will perform their best 3 minutes, 7 p.m., free with two-item minimum.

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