Ballarat Cabaret Festival

The Full Catastrophe Access to all Mainstage Shows, Festival Club, Brunch Darling and 1 x Secret show per day.

Festival Director and International Cabaret Diva Issie Hart and Ballarat's Own Musical Director, Pianist and Conductor Vicky Jacobs have been working with Ballarat's extraordinary Local Talent to present: Ballarat's Rising Stars! Created with the support of Cabaret with a Cause, The City of Ballarat's Creative Inspiration Grant and the Ballarat Arts Foundation our young, local superstars are a shining light for the future of live performing arts and are proudly putting Ballarat on the map as a magnificent Creative City.

A witty and Absurdist Coming of Age Journey Born In A Trunk follows Vivian’s journey of self-discovery as they transform into the fabulous song-bird: Vivian Fonteyn. Covering everything from being homeschooled & a religious upbringing to coming out, falling in love & being a talented little shite. Featuring everything from Judy Garland to Queen and Vivian’s trademark wit & absurdist humour this is a coming of age story sure to delight audiences.

Melbourne’s boldest showgirl, Miss Friby, brings her unique brand of cabaret, vaudeville and burlesque to the Ballarat Cabaret Festival! In a wild tornado of hilarious showmanship, Miss Friby's world class wit, high end choreography and nail biting satire promise an unforgettable audience experience, cabaret at it’s finest, with a little bit of death. * ‘Best Cabaret’ weekly award - Adelaide Fringe 2021 * * Green Room Award Nominee (2012 / 2015) * * Fields Award Nominee 'Contribution to Australian Vaudeville (2015) * * Australia's Got Talent Finalist (2013) * ‘big vocal performance, fantastic comedic talent, skilful character portrayal and marvellous choreography’ - Dancelife Magazine ‘Strange and frothy and original and fresh’ - Dawn French 'She had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand' - ArtsHub 'A humorous and energetic performance underpinned by a real appreciation for an eclectic array of dance styles - The Age 'Head to Toe Talented' - Theatrepress.com

After our mainstage shows Ballarat Cabaret Festival kicks on till late with the Festival Club. Cocktails, Piano Bar, Special Guest Entertainers and other Surprises! 18+ Event

Our LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Brunch Event Drink Upon Arrival, Brunch Platter, Fabulous Drag and Variety Performers. 18+

Our famous singalongs are like being in a choir without having to commit to being in a choir. There are no auditions, no solos and you can drink as much as you like while you sing! We don’t mind if your voice is fit, rusty or never-brought-out-in-public-before – we just love getting together for a big group sing of the world’s greatest pop songs.

Trevor Jones is one of Australia's leading Piano Bar entertainers and cabaret performers. He has performed to great acclaim in cabaret venues around Australia and around the world. Trevor has hosted the Piano Bar for Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Melbourne Cabaret Festival, Ballarat Cabaret Festival and the Parlour Piano Bar New Zealand. He has hosted regular piano bar nights at Butterfly Club Melbourne, Doo-Bop Jazz Bar, Brisbane and Austin Club, Christchurch. Trevor regularly performs at Piano Bar Geelong and Ballarat.

For the Love of it – the Wonderful and Ridiculously Funny World of Dandyman Ballarat's Own and one of Australia’s finest and funniest physical comedians Dandyman (Daniel Oldaker) presents his circus comedy family show. Come on a fun-filled journey of the absurd with world class circus and comedy star “Dandyman”. For the Love it is an unexpected experience filled with moments of fun and spontaneity that will fill everyone’s hearts. It’s all for the love of it and it’s for everyone: young and old. We’ve all got a story to tell and this show opens the audience up to understand and appreciate their own story and how they wish to interact with the world from here on forth. For the Love it features ridiculously raucous routines, fantastically funny feats of stupidity circus-inspired magical moments of mayhem, complete with goofy games, fun competitions, prizes, funny facts and very funny faces. Fabulous Fun For Children of all Ages

GlamourPussy & The Hip Replacements! From Naomi Eyers, the creator of The Fabulous Singlettes, comes the irrepressible GlamourPussy supported by her spritely duo The Hip Replacements. Directed by Shaun Murphy (Combo Fiasco) A wise, witty and glorious celebration of older-womanhood from a world class performer in control of a powerhouse voice that knocks your incontinence panties sideways.' – Stage Whispers 'A brilliant Australian show performed with gusto' – Melbourne Observer Dressed for success, GlamourPussy's mission is to spread the good word as she sings of the joys of post menopause: when a girl finally gets her body, her mind and her life back after the lost years in hormone hell. She presents a joyful cabaret of songs and humour celebrating the best years of life. She's a spicy mix of glamour and decay. Embracing her 'autumn flush' and well past her use-by date, GlamourPussy shares that the best is yet to come, old is the new black and estrogen is so overrated!

Ballarat Cabaret Festival is hosting a monthly Cabaret Szalon to delight your senses and tickle your fancy. Live on Zoom from out quarantine bunker to yours. Treasures and surprises await you. Book now for Sept, Oct and Nov. Come on in... It's cozy in the Szalon. September Artists Announced! To see our full line-up of incredible artists go to www.ballaratcabaretfestival.com