Ballarat Cabaret Festival 2025
Who Are We?
Ballarat Cabaret Festival is a local, community-minded arts festival celebrating all things cabaret and all things Ballarat.
We are governed by Not-For-Profit Org: Cabaret with a Cause Inc. and we are proudly working in partnership with the City of Ballarat to deliver this year’s festival.
What Are We Doing?
In 2025, Ballarat Cabaret Festival will be delivering a four-day event in the Ballarat Mining Exchange. We are delighted to be bringing back the glorious velvet big top of festivals past and filling the venue with fabulous artists.
When Are We Doing It?
Our 2025 festival dates are: May 1-4.
What Is Happening In The Space?
Ballarat Cabaret Festival is hosting a Cabaret Gala show, a Community Activation called the Living Portrait Theatre and a Cabaret Bar in the Mining Exchange. The festival is also calling for submissions for additional productions, see below for more info.
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Ways You Can Get Involved:
Volunteer
We need some helping hands and friendly faces to welcome people to the venue, direct people to the shows and bar, and invite them to check out our Living Portrait Theatre.
We also need some help behind the scenes if that’s more your vibe. Those with experience or willing to learn are welcome!
If you are interested in being involved as a volunteer, please contact our volunteer coordinator
Dawn Oliffe on 0439 517 414 or email ballaratcabaretfestival@gmail.com.
Present Your Show at the Cabaret Festival
We are seeking shows from independent artists, producers and community groups to join our festival program.
Ballarat Cabaret Festival is especially keen to work with: local artists, Indigenous artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, culturally diverse artists and artists with disabilities.
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Click HERE for our registration Information Pack
Click HERE to go to the EOI Form
Our Team
Issie Hart
"This Is Real Cabaret"
Kate Copstick
The Scotsman 2009
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Operatic Cabaret Sweetheart Issie Hart is an internationally established cabaret artist with Ballarat roots.
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Issie Hart is an award-winning soprano and creator of theatrical and operatic cabaret works that have toured extensively across Australia and internationally. Hart’s work has been described as ‘The Rarest of things... Theatre that mattered’ Arts Hub
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Hart runs a successful studio as a singing teacher, director, dramaturg and creative mentor and works with artists of diverse backgrounds, experience levels and abilities.
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Hart is passionate about Cabaret and passionate about Ballarat.
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Cousin Tara
Cousin Tara is Melbourne’s own guitar-slinging cabaret rockstar known for her catchy melodies and powerhouse pipes. Her comedy hour Wukkas garnered award-nominations at festivals around the country and enjoyed a digital release with support from the City of Melbourne.
Tara’s debut solo production, Taranoia, earned her critical acclaim at Melbourne Comedy Festival and ‘Spirit of the Fringe’, at F@TE 2019.
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Catch Tara's latest cabaret creation, Bootersloot at this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Garth Horsfield
Garth Horsfield is an artist and musician, specialising in electronic music and best known for his work in Immaculata; a new-romantic musical collaboration spanning nearly 3 decades.
Garth managed the much loved small independent music venue "Babushka" for 6 years, hosting many local musicians as well as professional touring artists.
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Garth is also a contemporary painter and graphic designer, currently returned to university to finish off some credentials and has been a contributor to Ballarat Arts through acapella group "Singers of the Black Book", Renaissance dancing, Fashion parades, Musical performance, The 11th Hour Goth Festival 1999, Sound engineering, and fine art.
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