Dinner and a show—the formula is old, but there’s always room for a new execution. The first Stand-Up | Pop-Up event at the Spanish Moon Thursday, Jan. 14, aims to find exactly the new take Baton Rouge needs.
The concept: an evening bringing together local comedians and chefs for a simultaneous stand-up set and pop-up menu sampling. Event host and comedian Jeffrey Buck began forming the idea while attending pop-up events in New Orleans and wants to bring that collaborative, creative energy to the Capital City.
“I fell in love with the support people show for these eager chefs and how patient people are when the food being prepared is by someone who is trying to become established,” Buck says. “What I mean by that is, there’s a stronger connection with the food when you can see or get to know the face that is behind your plate.”
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Though Buck has been heading up comedy shows in Baton Rouge for years, a fresh approach seemed like the perfect strategy to take his shows beyond the typical. With the launch of Stand-Up | Pop-Up, Buck plans to create a new monthly staple in Baton Rouge’s culinary and comedic scenes, featuring different comedians and chefs each month.
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“I love comedy, and I love cooking and eating,” Buck says. “Why not combine the two? It’s something that no one has seemed to do yet, and if you can find a unique or different idea then it’s probably a good one.”
The first Stand-Up | Pop-Up features the comedic stylings of Howard Hall, Josh Watts, Vince Gulino, Tim Smith and Chase Bates paired with tapas by The Collective, a new culinary project by rising chef Michael Kopynec. Formerly of Coyote Blues, Kopynec has been curating and perfecting his own recipes with hopes to eventually open a Mid City tapas bar and mixed arts venue.
The menu for the night includes dill and chive poached shrimp, basil and garlic pomodoro and goat cheese rolled in prosciutto. Food prices range from $1 to $5, but entry is free. The event kicks off at 9 p.m.