Cabaret Vulgare (Night 1)

Description:

Cabaret Vulgare was a two-night cabaret variety show presented in celebration of Western Front’s 20th anniversary. Riffing on the Dadaist Cabaret Voltaire, the program was hosted by Hank Bull and featured performance art, musical numbers, standup comedy, dance, and poetry by artists closely connected to Western Front. Each evening was divided into three sets, and opened with screenings of video excerpts from Western Front’s archive. 

The first set included a reading by Anna Banana; a performance by vocalist Kate Hammett-Vaughan and guitarist Ron Samworth with Hank Bull on piano, Paul Plimley on drums, and Jim Munroe on violin; a reading by Renee Rodin; dance by Peter Bingham and Margaret Dragu with music by Nikita Carter; and a standup comedy routine by Lorna Boschman. 

Set two included Peter Culley performing Burt Bacharach covers; original songs for piano and voice by Grant Gregson; a song and dance routine by The Vulgares; and a musical monologue by Crissy Red. 

The third set featured a theatrical monologue by Warren Arcand as the character Man of Green Gables; a multimedia performance by Tricia Keith; a dance routine by Annie Hallat and the Hot Sister Goddesses with live flamenco guitar by Gary Bourgeois; and a grand finale cabaret lip sync and tap dance performance by Stephen Anthony.

The event was broadcast live on WENR Radio and TV by the Wiener Twins, Bobbi Kozinuk and Brice MacNeil, who provided commentary between sets. 

Video documentation is available upon request.