COOL ACTS. SMALL CLUBS. SWEET DEALS.
16 venues. 10 days. Starting May 10.
What is Chicago Cabaret Week?
A celebration of Chicago’s cabaret scene offers discounted tickets for 17 featured events at 16 music venues around Chicagoland. Several venues offer more great shows during the week.
How long has Chicago Cabaret Week been going?
Chicago Cabaret Week launched in 2022 and this is the third year. Every year, there is a new lineup of shows.
What can audiences expect to find at Chicago Cabaret Week?
This is a great way to experience the diversity of Chicago’s growing cabaret community. Many of the featured artists have been performing in Chicago for decades and others have entered the scene in recent years. The schedule features a variety of music genres, including blues, jazz, burlesque, Broadway, R&B, pop, comedy, French chanson, world music and the American Songbook.
What exactly is cabaret?
The word ‘cabaret’ originally meant a small room, the wine cellar of a tavern, for example. Imagine what happens when artists get together, whether a duo or small group, with an audience that’s up close. Cabaret can embrace many art forms and musical genres. It will have elements of a concert or theater performance —so expect a mix of music, song, dance, storytelling, and drama.
Attending a cabaret show offers the audience a unique experience. The up close and personal nature of cabaret transports the audience in a way that larger venues cannot. Distances are shortened. Lyrics are understood. Melodies are remembered. When you attend a cabaret show, you are involved, entertained and moved.
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, jazz, blues, French chanson, burlesque or American Songbook. You’ll also find cabarets that are dramatic, historic, comic, nostalgic and bawdy. You may recognize some artists by name. You can explore many performers via their own websites or Facebook pages to sample their clips, recordings or videos.
Where are all these Cabaret Week events?
The venues are located in Chicago—downtown, Northside, Southside—and stretching to Evanston and Arlington Heights. All the venues are small, intimate spaces, including clubs, theaters, art gallery, churches and restaurants. Many regularly feature cabaret throughout the year. Take a look at the list below.
Where to get tickets?
Tickets are available at each venue. You can find the complete schedule and links to venues at www.chicagocabaretweek.org or https://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/festivals-and-special-events/chicago-cabaret-week/.
Do I need to reserve in advance?
Reservations are strongly recommended for all events. Venues do sell out! To guarantee your place (including for free events) follow each venue’s link to order online or by phone. www.chicagocabaretweek.org.
What is the ticket price?
All Featured Events during Cabaret Week have tickets available for $30 or less. Each event has its own pricing structure, from free admission to higher prices for optional reserved seats and dinner. (Unlike the case at some venues the rest of the year, there are no drink or dinner minimums.) Almost all venues will accept credit cards but a few are cash only. Check with the venue.
Are there daily or event passes like at music festivals?
There are no daily or weekly passes to attend multiple shows. But the “$30 or less” ticket price is there to encourage you to go “early and often”.
Who produces Chicago Cabaret Week?
The event is coordinated by four cabaret organizations based in Chicago: Chicago Cabaret Professionals, Working In Concert, Acts Of Kindness Cabaret, and The Cabaret Project. The event receives support from Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs (DCASE), Choose Chicago, Illinois Arts Council, and WDCB 90.9 FM radio. Each show is produced independently by the venue and artists of that show.
How long is a show?
Most performances are around 75 to 90 minutes. Some events may be longer, in two acts or in three sets for up to three hours.
What about parking and transportation?
All venues in Chicago are accessible by train or bus. Street parking may be available and there may be public parking lots nearby. Venue websites tend to provide specific parking information.
CHICAGO CABARET WEEK PARTICIPATING VENUES
Borelli’s (Lincoln Square)
Cliff Dwellers Club (Loop)
Davenport’s Cabaret (Wicker Park)
Epiphany Center for the Arts (West Loop)
Fulton Street Collective (West Loop)
Hey Nonny (Arlington Heights)
Le Piano (Rogers Park)
Monsignor Murphys (Lakeview)
Newport Theater (Wrigleyville)
The Promontory (Hyde Park)
Rhapsody Theater (Rogers Park)
Rockwell on the River (Avondale)
Second Church of Christ, Scientist (Evanston)
The Tonk (Pilsen)
Venus Cabaret (Southport/Wrigleyville)
Vincent (Andersonville)