COOL ACTS. SMALL CLUBS. SWEET DEALS.
17 venues. 10 days. Starting May 9.
What is Chicago Cabaret Week?
A celebration of Chicago’s cabaret scene, with cabaret events at popular music venues around Chicagoland.
How long has Chicago Cabaret Week been going?
Chicago Cabaret Week launched in 2022 and this is the fourth year. Every year there is a new lineup of acts.
What can audiences expect to find at Chicago Cabaret Week?
It’s a great way to experience the diversity of the growing cabaret community. Many of the artists during the ten-day event have been performing in Chicago for decades and others who have come on the scene in recent years. And the Chicago Cabaret Week lineup features a great variety of music genres, including, blues, jazz, burlesque, pop, comedy, Broadway and the American Songbook.
Where are all these Cabaret Week events?
Most venues are located in Chicago — downtown, northside and south loop — but there will be performances nearby suburbs. All the venues are small, intimate spaces, including clubs, theaters, and restaurants — and many regularly feature cabaret throughout the year.
Where to get tickets?
Tickets are available at each venue — and you can find a complete lineup and links to venues at www.chicagocabaretweek.org or https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/festivals-and-special-events/chicago-cabaret-week/.
Note that tickets are available for each event, and they can be ordered online and purchased at the door.
What is the ticket price?
Each event has a pricing structure and may include tickets for reserved tables as well as general admission prices.
All Featured Events during Cabaret Week will have tickets available for $30 or less.
There are no drink or dinner minimums, which is often the case at cabaret venues. Almost all venues will accept credit cards but a few are cash only. Check with the venue.
Are there daily passes or event passes like at music festivals?
Unlike a music festival, there are no daily passes or weekly passes to attend multiple shows.
Who produces Chicago Cabaret Week?
The event is organized by four cabaret organizations based in Chicago: Chicago Cabaret Week is produced by four leading cabaret organizations: Chicago Cabaret Professionals, Working in Concert, Acts Of Kindness Cabaret, and The Cabaret Projects. The event is produced in partnership with Choose Chicago, with support from WDCB 90.9 FM radio.
What exactly is cabaret?
Cabaret is a blend of many art forms. It has elements of a concert and theater performance —so expect a mix of music, song, dance, recitation, or drama. Most of the events will feature one or two artists with an accompanist or small group. The word ‘cabaret’ means ‘room’: what happens in a show depends on the dynamic between the performer and the audience in that place on that night.
How to choose from the many Chicago Cabaret Week events?
A good place to start is by looking at the musical styles to see if something fits your interest, such as Broadway tunes, ragtime, jazz, blues, French cabaret, burlesque or American Songbook. You’ll also find cabarets that are dramatic, historic, comic, nostalgic and bawdy. Be sure to read show descriptions – you may see performers you already know. Many performers have their own websites listed where they feature video clips and audio recordings.
How long is a show?
Most performances are around 90 minutes, but some will go up to three hours.
What about parking and transportation?
The venues in Chicago are accessible by train or bus. Street parking may be available and there may be public parking lots nearby. Venue websites may provide more specific parking information.
CHICAGO CABARET WEEK PARTICIPATING VENUES
Chicago Theater Works (Lakeview)
Cliff Dwellers Club (Loop)
Congregation Bene Shalom (Skokie)
Davenport’s Cabaret (Wicker Park)
Epiphany Center for the Arts (West Loop)
Fourth Presbyterian Church (Magnificent Mile)
Freedom Hall (Park Forest)
Fulton Street Collective (West Loop)
Haven Entertainment Center (Bronzeville)
Hey Nonny (Arlington Heights)
Le Piano (Rogers Park)
Newport Theater (Wrigleyville)
PianoForte (South Loop)
Rhapsody Theater (Rogers Park)
Rockwell on the River (Avondale)
The Tonk (Pilsen)
Vincent (Andersonville)