Cabaret

A cabaret is a form of entertainment featuring music, dance, drama, or recitation, that is distinguished by the performance venue which is most often a pub, restaurant, or nightclub with a performance stage. The entertainment—performed in front of an audience who is often dining or drinking—is done by an ensemble and often but not always oriented towards an adult audience. Early cabarets in 16^th century Paris were much like the ancestors of the modern restaurant. Although there was no formally programmed entertainment, the customer might sing if enough wine had been consumed during the meal. In the 18^th century the café-concertor café-chantant appeared which offered food and wine like the early cabarets but also featured music, singers, and musicians. The cabaret continued to evolve, becoming a venue that combined music and entertainment with political commentary and satire. Competition from Music Halls and later motion pictures forced cabarets to put on more complex and spectacular shows. Although other cultures like Germany, the Dutch, and the British developed similar cabarets, it was the French cabaret scene that was imported to America in 1911 by Jess Louis Lasky—founder of Paramount Pictures. The American cabaret clubs turned to different styles due to the influence of jazz music and the big band scene, and Chicago cabaret especially peaked during the 20s where they were often featured as speakeasies and steakhouses during the Prohibition Era. The American cabarets never developed the social commentary level of its French predecessor, and the cabarets were soon overtaken in popularity by rock concerts, television variety, shows, and comedy theaters. Cabaret survives today in Vegas-style dinner shows, drag performances, and burlesque shows and even solo vocalist and pianist style performances in bars.

The Michigan Philharmonic is certainly not underground, and our concerts can be enjoyed by all ages, but we are throwing our own Cabaret Café April 14^th at 7:30pm with Danzones y Tango. Join us at P.A.R.C. for a night filled with great music, some delicious South American coffees and liquor, and a whole bunch of fun.

Photo via: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret