Buffalo Comedy: Aaron Chen and Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino perform in Buffalo among more comedians. Read The Comedy Buzz for the full scoop of live comedy this weekend.

(Above: Aaron Chen. Photo via aaronchencomedy.com.)

By Jason Pomietlasz

Today in 1984, the first “Taste of Buffalo” happened and while Buffalo did not invent food festivals, I think we can add it to the list along with packing snowballs with batteries to throw at Bills opponents and going 50 miles an hour right up to a stop sign, of things we Buffaloians perfected. So while you’re out in 90 degree weather eating wings over a garbage can, keep that vibe going and go see live comedy.

Friday – Sunday, July 10-12

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. Times vary, tickets $20 – 197 (Couples package). 

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, July 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. 

Indie summer continues with “Twist the Knife” and “Buffalo Curse Breakers” set to perform. 7:30 p.m. tickets $7.

Standup Comedy Open Mic. Five minute slots available for trying out new material in front of an audience. 8:30 p.m., tickets $5. 

42 North Brewing Company, 674 Main Street, Buffalo. 8 p.m., tickets starting at $20.

Pride Comedy Showcase. A comedy and drag show hosted by Caleb J. Goldberg and featuring comics Cindy Arena, Kai VonDoom, Chelsea-Mae.

Saturday, July 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.

House team “Unicorn Parade,” will create an improvised play, weaving a narrative tale through one location, and exploring different characters. 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission. 

Todd & Friends. Todd Benzin doesn’t like to improv by himself, so he called a few friends to join him. With decades of improv experience among them, they will ad lib their way through characters and call backs, all in the name of Todd. 8:30 p.m., tickets $12 presale or $15 general admission. 

Monday, July 13

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, July 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. 

Wednesday, July 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 p.m., tickets $20 – 184.99 

Aaron Chen gained acclaim and an award from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and his special “Funny Garden” is available on Netflix. 

---

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