Tag's Bakery & Café Launches First Stand-Up Comedy Night Oct. 21

Evanston, IL — When Tag’s Bakery opened its new café space in June 2018, owner Gretchen Vetter didn’t just envision selling coffee, sandwiches and baked goods in the space. She always thought that it would be the perfect place to hold parties, shows and other events.

“Coffee shops are such versatile venues. They’re cozy enough for an intimate meal and conversation with a friend, but they also make for great spaces for storytelling, stand-up and more. And if I can help more people find a way to laugh, I’m all for it,” Vetter said.

Now, five years after the Café was first added on to the original Tag’s Bakery location, Vetter has asked veteran comedian Jimmy Carrane, who lives in Evanston, to curate Tag’s first stand-up comedy night on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

The show will feature Carrane, as well as four other local stand-up comedians who have all performed at well-known comedy venues throughout the city.

“I am really excited to bring this fun evening of comedy to Central Street,” Carrane said. “Central Street is such a vibrant area during the day, and this seems like a great opportunity to have people come out and have a good time along Central Street at night as well. Plus, all of the comedians that I’ve asked to do the show are some of the funniest people I know, so everyone is sure to have a good time.”

Best known as the former host of “Studio 312,” a show-within-a-show on WBEZ’s “848,” Carrane has been performing and teaching improv in Chicago for more than 30 years. He has created several hit one-man shows, including, “I’m 27, I Still Live at Home and Sell Office Supplies,” which ran for a year-and-a-half at the Annoyance Theater in the early 1990s, as well as “Living in a Dwarf’s House,” (named one of The Chicago Tribune’s Top 10 Shows of the year in 2001), “Since We Last Talked” and “World’s Greatest Dad(?).” Throughout his career, Carrane has performed both stand-up and storytelling at venues such as The Laugh Factory, Second City’s e.t.c. stage, The Elgin Fringe Festival, Louder Than a Mom and more.

The other comedians in the show include:

• Lia Berman — Lia Berman is a mother, coffee drinker and unapologetic Dave Matthews Band fan. She has brought her laughter to the Zanies and Laugh Factory stages, as well as co-produced Back Room Comedy and her own open mic. Recently, Lia was seen on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” with The Bad Momz of Comedy.
  
• Lindsay Porter — Lindsay Porter is a Chicago-based comedian and mom. She has performed at Zanies, The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Shrine, and in line at Trader Joe's. She performs regularly with the Bad Momz of Comedy and has appeared at Madison Comedy Week, The Chicago Women's Funny Fest, and the Lincoln Lodge Future of Comedy Fest.
  
  
• Tony Castro — Tony Castro is a Chicago-based Filipino American comedian who has performed stand-up at venues all over the country including The Laugh Factory, Lincoln Lodge, Second City and the world-famous Steppenwolf Theatre. He has an energetic style with rapid-fire punchlines that tackle serious subjects with a light heart. When he's not doing stand-up comedy, Tony makes no money being a stay-at-home dad, illustrator and DJ. He is definitely not having a midlife crisis.
  
  
• Laura Hugg — Laura Hugg is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory. For the last decade-and-a-half, her focus has been on stand-up comedy. Laura co-produces and hosts a comedy variety show in Chicago called “Keep Coming Back,” and co-produces a stand-up showcase in Evanston called “Laughs on a Hot Tin Roof."

Comedy is the latest venture for Tag’s Bakery, which has selling its famous cakes, doughnuts, cupcakes and cookies on Central Street since 1937. In 1968, Vetter’s parents, Don and Jan Vetter, took over the bakery from the original owners, and five years ago, Vetter expanded the business to include a café as well. Vetter closed the store for renovations earlier this year, and the new, remodeled store debuted in February.

“I feel like Tag’s is ready for a new chapter,” Vetter said. “I hope this will be the first of many events that we will hold here.”

SHOW DETAILS

Comedy Night at Tag’s

Where: Tag’s Bakery & Café, 2012 Central St., Evanston, IL

When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 7:30-8:45 p.m.

Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door. To purchase tickets in advance guests may stop by the cafe, call 847-859-2027, or send an email to manager.tagscafe@gmail.com.

Info: https://jimmycarrane.com/produ...

Phone: 847-859-2027

About Tag’s Bakery & Café

Tag’s Cafe, the newest addition to the family-owned bakery, opened on June 25, 2018. The cafe provides locals and visitors alike with a casual, cozy and inviting atmosphere. It’s a great place to hang out with friends and family for a cup of coffee, latte or cappuccino. The cafe also offers delicious homemade soups, chili, and unique handmade sandwiches which are prepared by our own personal chefs. The bakery, which is right next door, proudly partners with the cafe to provide fresh baked muffins and cookies. After over 80 years, the owners of Tag’s Bakery, are excited to build a new long lasting “family tradition” between Tag’s Cafe and the neighborhood. For information on Tag’s Café, please visit www.tagscafeevanston.com.

About Jimmy Carrane

Raised in Kenilworth, IL, Jimmy Carrane studied at Second City in his late teens and went on to perform with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Mike Myers, David Koechner, Tim Meadows, Andy Richter and more. An original member of The Annoyance Theater and Armando at The IO-Chicago, Jimmy wrote and starred in several acclaimed one-man shows including “I’m 27, I Still Live at Home and I Sell Office Supplies” and “Living in a Dwarf’s House.” Today, Jimmy lives in Evanston, IL, with his wife and daughter and is a renowned and respected improv teacher, having taught at The Second City, IO-Chicago, The Annoyance, Victory Gardens and other locations for more than 30 years. For information on Jimmy, please visit www.jimmycarrane.com.