Billy Corgan Performs, Talks Future of Madame Zuzu's at Anniversary Party

A packed house turned out for the one-year anniversary of Madame Zuzu's Teahouse Thursday night.

The night was marked by performances from a variety of artists, including the Highland Park teahouse's owner, Billy Corgan. 

The Smashing Pumpkins frontman and Highland Park resident performed a few songs and revealed some news about what's to come at Madame Zuzu's.

"I'm learning about being a businessperson in this community, so it's been a really interesting opportunity," Corgan told the standing-room-only audience Thursday night. 

The anniversary party started at 5 p.m., as groups of people slowly gathered to mingle and sip tea. Among the crowd were famous photographer Art Shay and composer/lyricist Frank McNulty.

Acoustic guitarist Matt Sams, who has performed at Open Mic Nights at the teahouse, kicked off the night's entertainment at about 6:30 p.m.. He performed a number of songs, including "Norwegian Wood" by the Beatles, "Of a Broken Heart" by Zwan (a former Corgan-fronted band) and the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic "Free Bird." 

Classical pianist Anastasia Royal, a Madame Zuzu's regular, was up next, followed by the band Royale.

Corgan then performed a diverse set that included "Space Age Love Song" by Flock of Seagulls, "Something" by the Beatles and "Day by Day" from the popular musical, "Godspell."

He also offered an update on what's new—and what's to come in the near future—at Madame Zuzu's. The teahouse is offering a few new Rare Tea Cellar teas that are "exclusive teas for Zuzu's," said Corgan. The teas include the Madame Zuzu's Stimulus—"a favorite of mine," Corgan said—and Mocha Chai, which contains Madagascar vanilla and cacao nibs. A third tea, which is aged in an oak barrel, is "a grade above what the queen drinks," Corgan said.

"I had some today and it's fantastic," he said. 

Zuzu's already has a table of antiques that customers can peruse and purchase, but Corgan said more antique shelves are coming. He's also planning to have an art space at the teahouse where he'll feature "some of my own work and some other artists. 

"That'll be very exciting," he said. "I think it'll make the place a little bit more dynamic."

Corgan said another idea being tossed around is possibly offering some theater performances, including old radio plays.

Check out more coverage from the event: 

• WATCH: Billy Corgan Conducts Sing-Along at Madame Zuzu's Teahouse
• WATCH: Billy Corgan Sings 'Flock of Seagulls' Classic at Madame Zuzu's