Cabaret Church
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ART ★ COMPASSION ★ RESISTANCE

Art is spirituality in drag. ~ Jennifer Yane

Why Cabaret?

If your first question is “Why Cabaret?” the answer is “Why not!”

You may think that “Cabaret” and “Church” have nothing in common. And that is the problem in a nutshell. We’ve divided our society and ourselves into two opposing sides: the spiritual and the carnal, the sacred and the mundane, the serious and the fun. And it’s killing us.

So Why Cabaret? Why not!

Why not call upon the spirit of the Cabaret to enliven our lives, strengthen our resolve, and refresh our spirits? Why not connect the dots of art, music, creativity, spirit, and community?

Read more about the history of Cabaret.

HOW WHO WHAT WHERE

Why Church?

Why Church? Because art and spirituality are, and have always been, connected. Somehow, we’ve forgotten that and divided our society and ourselves into two opposing sides: the spiritual and the carnal, the sacred and the mundane, the serious and the fun. And it’s killing us. We are trying to reconnect art and soul!

We are not trying to sell you on any belief system or religion. We’re an eclectic group of people with wildly varied beliefs who all just happen to think that it’s time to experiment and experience the spiritual power of art, celebration, and music. The only conversion we’re after is the kind that comes from being true to your own self, singing your own song, expressing your own mind, and discovering your own truth.

Learn more about the hosting congregation, Tree of Life.

View photos and more photos from the 2015 event!

Interested? Sign up to receive updates
HOW

Art can be a source of help with our problems—our innermost problems—the problems of the soul.  ~ Alain de Botton

Art

Compassion

Resistance

What People Are Saying About Cabaret Church

I will be a secret agent in this world… quietly instigating a revolution to destroy the machine that is trying to make us all the same. I will leverage every bit of my respectability to help create a world that is more loving, more creative and more beautiful. I will spend my life creating communities where all of us are encouraged to be ourselves and no one else. And when we do, we will unlock this crazy deep well of joy that will make us laugh and cry and scream and dance and be in love with being alive, even when it is excruciating. And I will find comrades, partners, lovers, friends and I will tell them: Your only mission is authenticity. Your only job is to be yourself. Your only vocation is to look inside your soul and see what’s there and bring your amazing, wonderful, beautiful gifts into this world. Bring yourself to life!

Rev. Sean Parker Dennison Tree of Life UU Congregation   

Personally, as someone who was raised Catholic, and who subsequently considered herself “N/A” in the religious spectrum, I’ve found that even the IDEA of Cabaret Church has made me think about/question my stance on religion and spirituality. I think that really says something about Cabaret Church’s goal and vision.

Jamie Madison unaffiliated young adult   

For too long we’ve focused on finding spirituality through reason and deduction. It’s time to embrace the intuitiveness about the universe which is best expressed through art. Words can fail so many of us when we’re at our most spiritual – it’s time to show that spirituality through art, in whatever form that art embodies, can change the world and change our faith.

Tim Atkins Director of Religious Education, Morristown Unitarian Fellowship in Morristown, New Jersey
Co-creator of Loved For Who You Are
   

At first the notion of Cabaret Church was incomprehensible to me. As Sean explained it to me, I got more and more and more intrigued. How many times do we leave cultural events so excited we can hardly stay in our skin? Why not directly connect that life-giving energy to our spiritual lives as Unitarian Universalists? I am really excited to watch this unfold!

Rev. Meg Riley Senior Minister, Church of the Larger Fellowship   

So much of life is simply untenable and unbearable. Thus, we turn to the arts, which bring us up against things we have a hard time facing in real time, but it never says ‘here’s the scary part.’ Rather, art makes space so we can approach the difficult sideways – through metaphor, music, dance, pantomime, and play. As George Bernard Shaw once said, ‘Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.’ Cabaret Church harnesses the power of art to make life bearable and meaningful in new, expansive ways.

Kimberley Debus Intern Minister, One Island Family   


View photos and more photos from the 2015 event!


Participating Artists

The best art . . . makes the world feel a little bit less terrifying, it makes things feel a little more intertwined.  ~ Shepard Fairey

Namoli Brennet
Namoli Brennet
FOLK-ROCK ARTIST

Namoli Brennet is among the best folk-rock artists in the country and has won praise and accolades from critics and fans alike.

Learn More »

    Christopher D. Sims
    Christopher D. Sims
    Spoken Word Artist

    Christopher D. Sims, a.k.a. UniverSouLove, is an internationally known poet, spoken word artist, performer, and recording artist.

    Learn More »

      Lindsay Katt
      Lindsay Katt
      SINGER / SONGWRITER

      Lindsay Katt has received acclaim both from her deeply devoted fans as well as the commercial world of pop.

      Learn More »

        Environmental Encroachment
        Environmental Encroachment
        PERFORMANCE ART GROUP

        Environmental Encroachment (EE) uses a marching band, costumes, and antics to create unique entertainment environments.

        Learn More »

          Rune the Lion
          Rune the Lion
          CHICAGO ROCK BAND

          Rune The Lion is a new rock Rock band out of Chicago’s suburbs. You will be hard pressed to find a more complementary pair of musicians.

          Learn More »

            Zigga
            Zigga
            HIP HOP / RAPPER

            Zigga has gained a reputation among his peers and superiors alike of being a dangerous wordsmith and battle tactician with skills far beyond his age.

            Learn More »

              Jim Scott
              Jim Scott
              Singer / Composer / Activist

              Jim Scott has made it his business to create and perform music that celebrates peace, justice and the earth. Jim brings a warmth and humor with his well-crafted jazz and world music influenced songs.

              Learn More »

                Interested? Sign up to receive updates

                Cabaret Church is funded, in part, by a grant from the Unitarian Universalist Funding Program.

                Special thanks to our Faithify funders who helped bring Cabaret Church to life!

                WHAT

                Cabaret Church is a day-long festival of music, speakers, and art.
                It’s also an emerging community committed to art, compassion, and resistance.

                On May 31, 2015, we gathered to celebrate, build relationships, and encourage one another to live authentic lives that matter to us and to the world. Check out the blog for photos and reflections from the event.

                Come to listen to music, to be encouraged by short TED-style talks, to make art, and to get to know other people who aren’t afraid to let their freak flag or their prayer flag fly high.

                What to bring

                Bring yourself, a water bottle, appropriately festive clothing (CC will happen rain or shine!), money to buy food, t-shirts, music, and other merchandise, a good attitude, and an open mind and heart.

                What not to bring

                Alcohol or other controlled substances (CC is a substance-free event.) No weapons are allowed on the premises. Leave your stereotypes at home. Leave your old-fashioned (or new-fangled) judgments too.

                What to expect

                Expect a wide variety of music, performance art, circus acts, art projects, and inspirational talks. Expect to be asked to sing along, participate in pop-up art projects, and meet a wild and wonderfully diverse group of people. Expect to sit under a tent outside for the Main Stage or inside for the quieter, acoustic stage. Expect a dedicated art area, face paints, glitter, people dressed in their favorite style (which may be drag!) Expect a day of the unexpected!

                What to consider

                Be prepared for whatever weather may come. We’ll have tents to keep the rain off the performance and art spaces, but if it rains, you may still get wet. Our grounds and first floor are accessible and we will have fully accessible porta-potties and parking. If it rains, mud may be an issue for folks who use wheels to help them get around. There is a concrete pad under portions of the tent, but getting to them could be muddy.

                What will be available to eat and drink

                We’re working with local vendors to provide healthy, delicious vegetarian (and some vegan) food options. We expect to have pita pizzas, falafel, sandwiches, cookies, and other items for sale. We’ll have water available and other soft drinks for purchase. This is a substance-free event, so no alcohol will be allowed.

                Cabaret Church is music.

                Cabaret Church is art.

                Cabaret Church is community.

                To immerse ourselves in Love for self, for others, for this beautiful world, for the calling of our lives. #dailyprayer

                3 years ago

                More @lindseykatt beauty at @cabaretchurch

                4 years ago

                This is what @cabaretchurch looks like! http://t.co/A9YQztoSeG

                4 years ago

                The beautiful and amazingly talented @lindsaykatt http://t.co/ZtUm0r0GzJ

                4 years ago

                Some days it’s extra fun to get ready for church! http://t.co/6zwoZhYvCp

                4 years ago

                  full feed

                  WHERE
                  • Map
                  • Directions

                  Hosted by Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation

                  5603 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050 get directions

                  minister@treeoflifeuu.org

                  (815) 322-2464

                  www.treeoflifeuu.org

                  Directions from Woodstock
                  From IL Route 47, head east on Country Club Rd to Bull Valley Rd or east on IL Route 120. If taking IL Route 120 then turn right on Ridge Rd to Bull Valley Rd. At Bull Valley Rd, turn left. We are located 1 mile past S Curran Rd on the right.

                  Directions from Crystal Lake
                  From IL Route 120, head south on Crystal Lake Rd S to Bull Valley Rd. At Bull Valley Rd, turn right. We are located 1/4 mile on the left.

                  Directions from McHenry
                  From US Hwy 14, head north on IL Route 31 to Bull Valley Rd. At Bull Valley Rd, turn left. We are located 1/4 mile past Crystal Lake Rd S on the left.

                  Turn-by-Turn Directions from Google

                  Interested? Have Questions?

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                  Cabaret Church = Art ★ Compassion ★ Resistance