Buffalo Comedy: Amber Autry’s shows are all sold out, but many more comedy events remain to be seen in Buffalo this weekend.

(Above: Steve Hofstetter. Photo by Rita Earl Blackwell).

By Jason Pomietlasz

Lord Stanley never actually saw a Stanley Cup championship game, nor did he ever attend a professional hockey game. So don’t be a Lord Stanley and go see live comedy. 

Thursday, May 14

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.

Friday, May 15 

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 BCC Shorties hit the stage with host and coach, Sal Winston, for a fast-paced shortform show and all they need is suggestions from the audience. 9 p.m., tickets $12.

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 “Unnecessarily Complicated” and “Bedelia” will perform different long form styles. 7:30 p.m., tickets $8 presale or $10 general admission. 

Graduates of the level three and four classes will show off what they learned in their student showcases. 8:30 p.m., tickets $8 presale or $10 general admission.

Saturday, May 16 

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. 

Comedy After Dark. Three local indie long form teams, “Denny’s Midnight Runnerz,” “Channel Surf,” & “Eye in Team,” will perform 20-30 minute sets based on audience suggestions then everyone will come together for a final mix-up set. This event is 18+ due to the group’s ability to use adult theming and language within their performances. 9 p.m., tickets $18. 

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

“Musical Improv Mixer,” sign-up to try musical improv, maybe for the first time. You will be paired with a fellow improviser and the scene will lead into song, facilitated by the host. 7 p.m., tickets $5.

The Movie, From Memory, The Musical, featuring “Various Factors.” Think of all the great movies that have been made into musicals in the past few years; Back to the Future, Death Becomes Her, Frozen, etc. Bring the title of your favorite movie and watch it be turned into a musical with songs, dialogue and choreography made up on the spot. 8 p.m., tickets $15 presale or $20 general admission.

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

Frank Favia is entering his 16th year as a comedian and performs regularly at The Comic Strip Live, Caroline’s, Stand Up NY, Goodnights Comedy Club. Rob Lederman will be there too. 

Sunday, May 17

Helium Comedy Club, 30 Mississippi Street, Buffalo. 6 p.m., tickets $38.99 – 194.99 (Couples package).  

Steve Hofstetter has hit that sweet spot of producing social media content and physically telling jokes on stage. Hidstetter may have started the trend of putting up videos of him dealing with hecklers which garnered so many views that he was offered a  series called “Laughs,” a half-hour showcase for standup comedians. In 2006, Hofstetter released a DVD with a cover depicting a Larry The Cable Guy Doll hanging by a co-ax cable. He is on the right side of comedy history. 

Monday, May 18

Hen House, 690 Hertel Street, Buffalo, 7 p.m.

The Bird Soup Comedy Open Mic. A brand new open mic hosted by Brody Walsh and Connor Mink and also share an obsession with birds. 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, May 19

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, May 20

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. 

Open Mic, where over twenty comics will perform their best 3 minutes, 7 p.m., free with two-item minimum.

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