Seattle Times
The inaugural Seattle International Cabaret Festival which, after kicking off with the Tiger Lillies at the Moore last week, resumes on Wednesday with dozens of acts performing at four venues. It’s the brainchild of Chris Snell, Can Can’s artistic director and a longtime live-entertainment producer (“anything from opera to punk rock,” he says). His aim, he explains, is to provide a showcase for “the more avant-garde side of cabaret,” especially in music and physical performance. The festival includes acts from across the country and even a few from across the Atlantic. The international component comes from Europe’s Gypsy Sound System, whose Balkan vibe is served up with techno trimmings, and England’s Danbert Nobacon (of Chumbawamba) who’ll take part in “Cabaret Macabre”: an annual shindig orchestrated by Seattle band the Bad Things. “Cabaret Macabre” also features L.A. duo the Peculiar Pretzelmen, and local aerialist/balloon-swallower Michele Francis.