Timeline: History of the Cabfest

Dec 15, 2000

2000 Brisbane Cabaret Festival

In December 2000 the BCF was hatched over a glass of wine between friends. It wasn't long before the local industry jumped on board.
With support from Brisbane City Council and Brisbane Powerhouse, the Cabaret Festival launched amidst a flurry of public interest.
Audiences took to the idea of watching fast and fearless entertainment accompanied by a glass of red.
Performers included: The A to Z of Cabaret, Leah Cottrell and Helen Russell, Margret Roadknight, Geraldine Turner, WIT

Mar 7, 2002

2002 Brisbane Cabaret Festival

In March of 2002, the festival gained momentum and headed back to the Powerhouse for another three nights of crowd pleasing entertainment Not one to miss the party, Arts Queensland combined with Brisbane City Council and funded our fabulous event. Performers included: Sandro Collarelli, Judy Connelli, Barb Fordham, Lil Fi, Michael Hibbard, Queenie van de Zandt, Velma Vegas

Mar 6, 2003

2003 Brisbane Cabaret Festival

This was the year we transformed the City Hall Grand Ballroom into a sumptuous cabaret venue staging the A to Z of Cabaret for a Lord Mayor's Special Concert Event. One week later the Powerhouse was lit up once again with an incomparable program of consummate performers. Performers included: Brian Cavanagh, Dilapidated Diva, Brides of Frank, Annie Lee, Jeanne Little, Lost Vegas Band, Mark McInnes, John Rogers Show

May 20, 2004

2004 Brisbane Cabaret Festival

The 2004 Brisbane Cabaret Festival kicked off with a rocking prologue... the massive Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars concert event at the Tivoli had punters grooving away long into the wee hours of the morning, followed by two more big nights at The Powerhouse. Performers included: Pearly Black, ALison St Ledger, Lil Fi, Sandro Collarelli, Eddie Perfect, Tyrone Noonan, Carita Farrer

May 19, 2005

2005 Brisbane Cabaret Festival

Now in its fifth year the festival has become a must see in the cultural calendar. It's a festival about rich music, scrumptuous food and decadent wine but above all it's about entertainment. Of course, the festival will always be indebted to our priceless sponsors. Here is a round of applause for Mondo Organics, Brisbane Marriot, KinKingfisher Bay, Dendy Cinemas, The Grape, Crown Lager, Aromas, SCENE Magazine, Maddisons Hair and Beauty, Poserbill, 4BC, 4BH, Dallys Models, Symphony Hill Wine

Oct 26, 2006

2006 Brisbane Cabaret Festival

Headlining was crooner Frank Bennett. Another highlight was the ethereal Paul Capsis and 'Tom Waits For No Man' featuring four of Brisbane's finest exponents of cabaret: Greg Bird, Pearly Black, Sandro Collarelli and Alison St Ledger. Festival partners: HLB Mann Judd, Arts Queensland, BCC, Brisbane Powerhouse, Judith Wright Centre, West End Cabaret, Symphony Hill Wines, SCENE, 4BC, 4BH, MAP, QPAC, Brisbane Jazz Club, Atmosphere Photography, Poster Bill, Allans Music Academy, Maddisons Hair

Oct 10, 2007

2007 Brisbane Cabaret Festival

Over four fabulous nights in October 2007, the seventh HLB Mann Judd Brisbane Cabaret Festival presented a power packed program of renegade music, incisive comedy, and decedently dramatic divas.
Featuring international cabaret sensation Caroline O'Connor, the award winning Tom Waits For No Main ensemble, Martin Martini and the Bone Palace Orchestra, Meret Becker and Ars Vitalis, Meow Meow, Polytoxic and The Brides of Frank, Sammy J, Liz Buchanan, the Brisbane Powerhouse rocked cabaret style