The Dames Sylvester: A Big Gay Countdown

Queer cabaret can be seen not just as an escape from reality but a rehearsal for what could be. It is a collective experiment in imagining life differently. On stage, bodies may become living archives that carry histories, contradictions and survival stories which unfold through glitter, rage and movement. In this sense Cabaret can be understood as an act of shared unmasking. A reveal of the systems it dares to mock. Cabaret is critique dressed in spectacle. Through exaggeration and double meanings and a refusal of closure, queer cabaret can be a way of thinking: shimmering, political and always in motion. Thus, cabaret becomes a space to rehearse how we might live, love, and celebrate differently.

And celebrate we will

On New Year’s Eve, The Dames transform the theater into a space of reflection, festivity, and solidarity. Unfolding in three movements, the gala evolves from a community gathering into the Dames‘ signature ritual performances. Their acts will interweave with appearances by invited artists and community representatives, culminating in an after-party. Alongside the performances, the evening will feature key grassroots organizations present through information and fundraising stands, as well as through onstage representation.