At the last Lismore Council meeting Cr. Gordon described Nimbin as the jewel in Lismore’s crown, and it certainly is a huge drawcard for visitors to the Region, being one of the places most well-known internationally as well as nationally.

One of the many gems in Nimbin is the Blue Moon Cabaret, brought to you by well-known poet/producer/ performance manager David Hallett. I’ve attended most of these Cabarets since I was elected to Council and, apart from anything else, I think it’s great value for money and always really enjoyable entertainment with a wide variety of entertainers. They generally occur several times a year and in the iconic Nimbin School of Arts, which is where many of Nimbin’s events occur. There are generally 12 acts, and the cost of a ticket has just been increased to a whopping $40 and $35 for pensioners!

The last Cabaret was on 25 March and, despite it being election night was, as always, a packed event. The first half of the programme included a musical opening by Lismore’s pianist Fred Cole playing 2 pieces on the grand piano, an amazing trapeze artist, Bronte Webster, several songs by Mish Songsmith on the grand piano including one of her own, the always popular well-known poet Christine Strelan, an energetic first-time hip hop/break dancer, James Deane, Hannah Pearl who sang two songs, one being an original and the well-known local Pitts Family Circus. I’ve seen this couple grow from including one of their children in their act, with more participating as they grew. This night there were 5 participating with the youngest who was very small and clearly eager to join the rest of the family in acts. They received great applause as well as chuckles for the youngest, which brought the first half of the programme to an end.

As always there was great food both before the Cabaret starts and during the interval, and it’s well worth tasting and not expensive.

The second half included Phil Brommers, who played a Pink Floyd song and one other of his own, the Scarlett Ruffles, a group of Nimbin women who brought a delightful touch of Moulin Rouge to Nimbin, Azo Bell, who entertained us with his ukelele, a great poem from David himself, a first-time comedian, Vanessa Larry Mitchell, who was well received and finally several tunes from the B’s Knees’’ which includes Azo Bell and his ukelele, who on request played one more tune.

As you can gather, it was another great night in Nimbin and I’m looking forward already to the next. 

A call to the Nimbin School of Arts might confirm when the next Cabaret is and if there are any spare seats, as many in the audience, like me, have regular bookings.