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WGN (Ch. 9) reporter and stand-up comedian Ana Belaval is headlining the Midway Chamber of Commerce’s annual Valentines Comedy Jam being held from 6 to 11 p.m. Feb. 14 at European Chalet, 5445 S. Harlem Ave.
“We hold these events twice a year, around Valentine’s Day and Sweetest Day (in October),” said chamber President Mary Ellen Brown, who expects another sold-out crowd of about 200 people in attendance. “We’ve been trying to get Ana Belaval for a few years so it will be great to have her here.”
Belaval, who grew up in Puerto Rico, has been a reporter and weekend anchor for Channel 9 for about 20 years. The winner of four local Emmy awards is known for her “Around Town” segments on WGN’s Morning Show, highlighting lesser known places around the city. Along with being an accomplished reporter, Belaval has become a popular stand-up comedian over the past 10 years, frequently appearing at Zanies and other comedy clubs in the Chicago area.
Other comedians are expected to take the stage at the European Chalet as well.
The comedy night will feature a cash bar, lots of raffles, and other entertainment.
Audience members can order 16-inch pizzas from Triano’s for $15 each, which will be delivered to the venue.
“Triano’s is featured because they won the Pizza Wars held during our farmers market last July,” explained Belaval, noting that about 10 local pizzerias competed in the annual taste-testing event in which residents chose their favorite.
The comedy nights are the main fundraisers for the growing Midway Chamber, which has about 250 area businesses in its membership. The chamber was founded in 1959 as the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce. But in 2022, the name was changed to Midway Chamber of Commerce, to better reflect its wider mission of strengthening the small business community in the entire area around Midway Airport, including other neighborhoods such as Clearing, Archer Heights, West Elsdon, West Lawn and Gage Park. Member businesses also come from neighboring suburbs like Summit and Bedford Park.
“The funds raised benefit the events and activities we sponsor throughout the year, and all the work is done by volunteers,” said Brown.
“Some of the funds go toward putting on our farmers markets,” said Brown, referring to the events held from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, from June to October, at Archer and Narragansett in Garfield Ridge.
“We also sponsor two car shows on 63rd Street and Archer Avenue each year,” she added.
Funds will also go toward managing one of the chamber’s newest projects, a business hub the group opened last year in the former Fifth/Third bank building at 6422 S. Archer Ave. The retail incubator provides space and resources for small-business owners, entrepreneurs, artisans and creators.
“This is new for us, and a lot of work goes into it,” said Brown.
The chamber will be celebrating International Women’s Day with a pop-up event for women-owned businesses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the business hub at 6422 S. Archer. More pop-up events are being planned for later in the year too. The group’s Archer Avenue St. Patrick’s Day parade is also set for March 15.
More information about the comedy jam, registering as a vendor for the Women’s Day pop-up, or any of the other chamber events may be obtained on the chamber’s website at midwaychamber.org, emailing info@midwaychamber.org or calling 773-767-0014.
“As of now, tickets are sold out and there isn’t a waiting list. There are always people outside before it starts hoping to get any available at the last minute,” said Brown.
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