Frolic Cabaret at Ballarat Winter Festival wrap up!

That’s a wrap! Frolic’s debut onto the Ballarat Winter Festival program of events has been a hit.

Last night Ballarat’s talented performers wowed a packed house at the Printer’s Room for our last weekend of Frolic Cabaret. From drag kings and queens to burlesque and songs we were thoroughly entertained. Even tonsillitis couldn’t stop the fabulous Nellie Minelli who was, as always, a confident, funny, engaging and clever host.

Glamorous Frolic Volunteer ‘Maxine’ showed audience members to their seats with a real touch of class!

The show…

With every performer stunning in their own right; highlights included Katherine Gale’s pure and melodic voice that could warm even the coldest of nights, the captivating, surprise talent of Jack Height who clearly belongs on the stage, and Nathan’s sassy rendition of ‘The Masochism Tango’ with added audience member participation!

Nathan Hollingworth singing with his human microphone stand.. before the riding crop came out!

Perhaps our most accomplished performer of the night, with more notches under her belt than there is room to list, Maureen, had the audience in stitches with her Bette Midler impersonation. At the other end of the scale, emerging artist Lil’ Jul shared his eclectic combination of original instrumentals, singing and rap.

Ballarat’s drag queens, Elektra Lite and Luxe could give any of the RuPaul girls a run for their money. Luxe’s unforgettable, hilarious, Tracy Grimshaw/Mr G mashup performance ‘Ecstacy’ was a clear crowd favourite. Not to be outdone by the queens, a drag king performance by Kara Chameleon had us all wanting to jump out of our seats and join their air guitar ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ set.

Drag Queen Elektra Lite wrapped up the show on a high with the audience clapping along to ‘This is me’ by Keala Settle and the Greatest Showman Ensemble

Our burlesque girls really showed how it’s done with a truly wonderful display of talent. From the cheeky ‘Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ performance of Lady Eleanora, the moving ‘Sound of Silence’ by Anna Phalaxis, to the downright sexy ‘If I was your Vampire’ performed by Minnie Mayhem – complete with True Blood style gore.

Minnie Mayhem before she and her victim got a little bloody.

Want more? So do we! Make sure you put the 7^th – 13^th November into your calendars for Frolic Festival’s week of events including new cabaret performances and more. Sign up to our mailing list so you don’t miss a thing. 

Should we do Ballarat Winter Festival again? What do you think?

To find out more about our performers check out:

www.facebook.com/nellieburlyq/

www.instagram.com/thatqueenlux

www.facebook.com/liljulmusic/

www.facebook.com/MissMinnieMayhem/

www.facebook.com/Elektra.lite17

www.facebook.com/annaphalaxisofficial/

www.instagram.com/katherinengale/

www.instagram.com/iamhollypop

www.instagram.com/nafy_h

www.instagram.com/elektra_lite/

www.facebook.com/Maureen-Andrew

www.instagram.com/_lady_eleanora

Drink up Ballarat Drag Queen Elektra Lite!

Elektra Lite is Ballarat’s very own glamour clown! As a Ballarat Drag Queen she has been performing all over Ballarat and surrounds for a little over 2 years.

Known for her bizarre antics on the Ballarat drag scene, we’re so happy to have her as part of this Saturday’s Frolic Cabaret line up!

Elektra Lite at ChillOut Festival

Whether smashing cakes on stage, killing teddy bears, or burlesquing it up – you never quite know what your going to get with Elektra Lite so get your Frolic Cabaret info and tickets here before you miss out on what she has planned.

Also, you can like Elektra Lite on FB here

 

Frolic Cabaret review. One night down, one to go!

Frolic Cabaret – Saturday July 6

It may have been a cold Ballarat night but people turned out in droves to attend the first Frolic Cabaret as part of Ballarat Winterfest 2019. There was a buzz in the air as people lined up outside the venue waiting for the doors to open at 7pm. Thankfully there was a fire pit going outside to keep punters warm.

Once the doors opened and people rushed in their names were quickly checked off and they were shown to their seats by our wonderful volunteers. Having their seats now reserved people grabbed a drink, ordered some food, and mingled in the bar area and outside by the fire. Hint for those coming this Saturday – doors open at 7pm sharp, not beforehand – so be prepared!

Act 1

Host Nellie Minelli

Miss Nellie Minelli kicked off the show with the classic ‘Life Is A Cabaret’, introduced herself to the crowd and got some crowd participation happening. Cabaret audiences are expected to whoop and holler, and it wasn’t long before they were warmed up.

Nellie then introduced HollyPop to the stage – HollyPop may be a drag queen but she can sing live! HollyPop sang Kander and Ebb classic ‘Sara Lee’ as she comically stuffed brownies into her face.

HollyPop performing ‘Sara Lee’

Next up was Katherine Gale – wow, what a voice! Katherine did two songs, ‘Secret Love’ and ‘They All Laughed’. Her classical singing training really came across with some of those high notes.

Lil’ Jul was up next for something a little different that you don’t usually see at a Cabaret show. Lil’ Jul did two original raps – ‘Hi Skool’ and ‘Posiedon’. He had the crowd along with the ride for his performance.

Anna Phalaxis got the blood pumping with some burlesque next. Our first burlesque act of the night she took the stage by storm and ‘God’s Country’.

Katelyn Davey then did a Little Mermaid parody song about being short, ‘Part of your World’ and then some brilliant and sharp adult comedy afterwards. The crowd were laughing and cheering along to some of the blunt and witty home truths being delivered.

Maureen Andrew then took to the stage as the last performer of Act 1. She dominated the stage, chewed it up and spat it out. She had the audience both laughing at the start and then crying at the end of her two Shirley Bassey songs, ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘All by myself’. Definitely a highlight of the first act – her vocals blew off the roof!

Maureen Andrew or Shirley Bassey? You decide!

With that we had an emotional intermission where people grabbed some drinks, got some fresh air outside, sat around the fire pit raving about the first act of the show. When time came for people to come back inside for Act 2 people raced back to their seats.

Act 2

Nellie then told a very amusing story that had people laughing (especially that one woman up the back who kept setting everyone else off!) and then introduced Kara Chameleon to the stage.

Kara performed a very energetic burlesque performance to Adam Lambert’s ‘For Your Entertainment’ involving both a whip and a chair! It was clear who was in charge during this performance.

Kara’s energy was electric

Then Lil’ Jul was back on stage for two more pieces, ‘Cemetery’ and ‘Epilogue’.

Anna Phalaxis then graced the stage again for a particularly moving burlesque piece to ‘The Sound of Silence’. It was breathtaking.

Burlesque star Anna Phalaxis

Katherine then came back on stage and after opening up about her own story and the meaning of pride, and acknowledging those who have fought for LGBTIQA+ rights in the past sang two stunningly beautiful songs, ‘Love Never Dies’ from the musical Love Never Dies and ‘No-one Will Bruise’ from the musical ATLANTIS by Australian composer Matthew Robinson. Tears were shed again during some of those power notes. Katherine was truly superb!

Katherine Gale, singer extraordinaire

Maureen took the stage again and ran with it. Singing ‘I Who Have Nothing’ and pride classic ‘I Am Who I Am’ she had the audience eating out of her hand again with those incredible vocals and stage presence.

Miss Minnie Mayhem then took to the stage and showed that she really is the premiere burlesque performer of Ballarat in a strong and confident performance that teased the audience. She raised the roof and wowed the crowd!

Minnie Mayhem lit up the stage, but only just

Lastly, HollyPop invited us to take a ‘Selfie’ as she absolutely blasted the stage with a more traditional drag show. The show ended on a satisfying climax!

Many thanks to the performers who all did a beyond fantastic job, and to the audience who clapped, cheered, laughed, and cried along. Thanks for all the loving vibes and we hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did!

Don’t forget we’re back again on Saturday night with some new performers and completely new acts! If you’ve read all of this and don’t have tickets for Saturday night, what are you waiting for?

At only $10 for concession or $20 full price for a whole night of entertainment you can’t go wrong. As Dennis, one first time Frolic punter along on Saturday night said, ‘it’s such a great deal for a night of entertainment – you can’t even get a movie ticket for those prices!’

More info on the next show here: Frolic Cabaret Night 2 @ Ballarat Winterfest

Get your tickets to the next show by clicking here

Katherine Gale, is welcomed backed to Frolic!

Katherine Gale performed at our 2017 Frolic Queer Ball but was sadly missing from the 2018 Frolic Festival lineup. We couldn’t hold her back when put out the call for performers to be involved in Frolic Cabaret though!

We welcome her back with open arms. As a beautiful singer, she will bring tears to your eyes with her amazing voice.

Katherine Gale is a graduating student of the Bachelor of Music Theatre at the Federation University Arts Academy and an alumna of the Ballarat Arts Foundation.

Katherine performing at the Ballarat Art Gallery

With extensive training in Classical and Contemporary voice and experience in both Music Theatre and Opera, Katherine recently presented her first solo recital ‘Heritage of Song’ in the Art Gallery of Ballarat, to rave reviews.

Katherine is overjoyed to share her love of music and give back to the creative and beautifully diverse Ballarat community!

Don’t miss her at Frolic Cabaret tonight!

Make sure you get your tickets to Frolic Cabaret here: https://www.trybooking.com/BCHAZ

More info on Frolic Cabaret here: https://frolicfestival.org/events/

Shirley Bassey better watch out, Maureen J Andrew is here!

It’s our absolute pleasure to be introducing Maureen J Andrew to Ballarat audiences as part of Frolic Cabaret.

Maureen is an accomplished and highly sought after singer, actress, musical theatre and cabaret performer having performed on stage and screen for many years.

She is a proud platinum member of Actors Equity (MEAA). Her credits are far too long to list but highlights include large national and international tours with shows Cabaret, Hugh Jackman’s Boy From Oz, Billy Elliot and Saturday Night Fever.

Maureen is a true chameleon and performer.

Having been a regular performer at ChillOut Festival, Maureen reached out to Frolic Festival after meeting us at the Ballarat Melbourne Gay and Chorus performance held recently.

Always fabulous, Maureen is gracing us with her presence to perform a couple of iconic Shirley Bassey numbers. We’re so happy to have her at Frolic Cabaret!

Make sure you get your tickets to Frolic Cabaret here: https://www.trybooking.com/BCHAZ

More info on Frolic Cabaret here: https://frolicfestival.org/events/

Ballarat Burlesque star Minnie Mayhem!

Miss Minnie Mayhem is a Ballarat burlesque chameleon from exotic lands – one minute frolicking, fun and flirty, the next a dark femme fatale who tempts you with every move.

Ballarat’s answer to Dita Von Teese, she may captivate you with a flurry of feathered fans or titillate you with her tenacious tassel twirling.

Miss Minnie rekindles the past burlesque icons with her repertoire, and promises to captivate and thrill you at Frolic Cabaret!

You should like her on FB here right before you go buy tickets to see her at Frolic Cabaret here.

We’re so happy to be showcasing Ballarat burlesque as part of Frolic Cabaret, don’t miss it!

If you want more information on Frolic Cabaret find it here.

 

Frolic Cabaret giveaway for one lucky email subscriber!

Congratulations to Daniel L. for winning a double pass to Frolic Cabaret on Saturday the 6th of July just for being an email subscriber. We have contacted you via email to let you know.

Want access to exclusive Frolic Festival competitions and giveaways? You need to join our mailing list by clicking here to be eligible.

For more details on the Cabaret nights click here
Frolic Cabaret artist bios are being teased here

Frolic Cabaret Host Nellie Minelli

Lady Eleanora to take the stage at Frolic Cabaret this weekend!

Lady Eleanora time travels to us from the glitz and glamour of the 1920s and 30s. She brings style, sophistication and sass for your enjoyment. With a penchant for the gorgeous art-deco period, she swings and sways her way into your heart with her grace, charm and poise.

Sometimes daring, sometimes sweet and cheeky, but always elegant Eleanora.

Having recently performed at the Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival she will knock your socks off.

Make sure you get your tickets to Frolic Cabaret here: https://www.trybooking.com/BCHAZ

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/307337840206600/

More info on Frolic Cabaret here: https://frolicfestival.org/events/

Feel a little faint for Burlesque star Anna Phalaxis!

What are the first signs of Anna Phalaxis? A weak or rapid pulse! Be prepared to feel a little faint when Anna takes the stage.

Anna Phalaxis is a teasing troublemaker of epic proportions. Feisty, flirty and fun, she’s new to the world of burlesque, and is quickly making her mark as a fierce and popular entertainer having performed at White Night Ballarat and the Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival.

Find Anna on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/annaphalaxisofficial/

Make sure you get your tickets to Frolic Cabaret here: https://www.trybooking.com/BCHAZ

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/307337840206600/

More info on Frolic Cabaret here: https://frolicfestival.org/events/

Rap up Frolic Cabaret with Lil Jul

And now for something completely different – local rapper Lil’ Jul will be doing a couple of short pieces as part of Frolic Cabaret at Winterfest.

As a song writer Lil Jul practices mindfulness through acknowledging the good and bad in writing, sometimes with playful language.  First drawn to the art of writing and poetry, eventually the young writer decided to give his writing a voice.

Projecting his feelings and experience on paper and eventually to music, Lil Jul aims to illustrate the imagery of song by words and deliver his bars in full authenticity, telling tales of melancholy but also self-discovery.

Make sure you get your tickets to Frolic Cabaret here: https://www.trybooking.com/BCHAZ

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/307337840206600/

More info on Frolic Cabaret here: https://frolicfestival.org/events/