Ballarat Cabaret Festival
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?
Details of the 2026 Ballarat Cabaret Festival are currently being finalised. Keep an eye on our socials for updates.
When Are We Doing It?
2026 dates are coming soon!
Ways You Can Get Involved:
Volunteer
Each year 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 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.
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
Operatic Cabaret Sweetheart Issie Hart is an internationally established cabaret artist with Ballarat roots.
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
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.
Hart is passionate about Cabaret and passionate about Ballarat.
sophie deLIGHTFUL
Performer, producer and grant-writer, Sophie is passionate and tenacious in her mission to deliver positive-impact arts experiences and increase visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community across the Sunshine Coast.
She works full-time in the arts sector, managing a mobile circus business and cabaret production company whilst also offering services as a curator, consultant and creative industry mentor. Her circus arts gathering, GLOW Fest, runs annually in mid north coast NSW.
Sophie is Issie Hart's right-hand woman in the organisation and development of the Ballarat Cabaret 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.
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.