Ghostlight kicks off its 7th season with return of the Holiday Cabernet

The Holiday Cabernet is back for a fifth year on Sunday, December 17. Enjoy an evening of holiday classics (or not-so-classics) by favorite G.E.T. performers and emerging artists in a cabaret-style setting with a pair of hosts who may or may not be toasted.

In year five, we will once again offer the popular holiday vendor area so you can do some holiday shopping in addition to indulging in the holiday cheer. We’ll have everything from earth-friendly candles and funky and fun jewelry to local authors and sweet treats. While you browse, don’t forget to get your Sloshed Snaps with Santa for all your holiday Insta feed needs (Santa is the sloshed one, though maybe you will be too…no judgement here.)

This year’s hosts will be Ensemble members Justin Broom and Jean E. Mueller-Burr – both fabulous performers in their own right, as well as hilarious guides for this holiday merriment.

Acts that will be performing this year include: Improvised Jane Austen, poet Khloe Janel, stand-up comedian James Fisher Jr., drag performer Degrassi Knoll and singer-songwriters svnflwrchld x malizabeth.

More information about these performers and our vendors, as well as parking and transportation options, is available on the Holiday Cabernet Show Page.

The fifth (not annual, because THANKS COVID) Holiday Cabernet takes place at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613) at 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 17. Tickets are $20 and available in advance on our website or via Eventbrite.

G.E.T. into the holiday spirits and join us for a night of song, dance, theatre, good cheer and revelry. G.E.T. yule holiday fun on!

Holiday Cabernet 3: A Call for Performers

Ghostlight Ensemble invites poets, dancers, artists, storytellers, comedians and musicians to perform at our third annual Holiday Cabernet fundraiser on December 12. We welcome performers of diverse skills and talents at this virtual event.

Filmed performances should be 5-10 minutes in length and themed to any of the winter holidays. Show off your talents in spoken word, slam poetry, improv, dancing, comedy, music or any medium of your choice. The Cabernet is an excellent opportunity to try out new material in front of a friendly, supportive audience.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Cabernet will take place virtually. Acts will be pre-recorded, but the event will feature a live emcee to introduce the pieces.

Please submit acts, along with an artistic bio and statement (if applicable), to Jean at casting@ghostlightensemble.com. Deadline for submissions is November 9

Proceeds from the event will be divided evenly between performers and Ghostlight Ensemble.

The event takes place on Saturday, December 12.

Read about our past Cabernets here and here.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Holiday Cabernet

Terra Mysterium performed songs from their upcoming show, A Midwinter Mummers Tale, at the Holiday Cabernet on December 14, 2019.

Poet Jae Green performed her spoken word piece, Vulgar: A Queer Catholic Poem, as part of the Holiday Cabernet on December 14, 2019.

The second annual Holiday Cabernet was an amazing night of festive fun and holiday spirits! We were blown away by the talent on display in the performances and in our vendor area, and by the reception from the standing-room only crowd that attended. Thank you to all of our wonderful performers, vendors, donors and patrons. You really filled us with holiday cheer(s)!

We’re already looking forward to next year. You can find out more about all the acts you saw, including how to book them for your events, here.

Special thanks to all our generous donors including, Revolution Brewing, Trader Joe’s, Spacca Napoli, Dovetail Brewery, Himmels Chicago, Twisted Hippo and Jerry’s Sandwiches.

Up Next: Holiday Cabernet

The Holiday Cabernet is back for a second year! On Saturday, Dec. 14, enjoy an evening of holiday classics (or not-so-classics) by favorite G.E.T. performers, emerging artists and surprise guests in a cabaret-style setting with a host who may or may not be toasted.

This year's host is the fabulous Ann Marie Carrothers, an award-winning singer, comedian, digital educator and filmmaker. Performers include: Chris Petty, Hugh Dis, Improvised Jane Austen, J. Rohr, Jacob Mayfield, Jeanette Green, Labyrinth Arts, Terra Mysterium and The Holidudes.

For year two, we've also added a holiday vendor area so you can do some holiday shopping in addition to indulging in the holiday cheer. Ticket price includes light food and drinks (including our signature cocktail, The Ghostlight).

G.E.T. into the holiday spirits and join us for a night of song, dance, theatre, good cheer and revelry at Vagabond School of the Arts. G.E.T. yule holiday fun on!

Holiday Cabernet: A Call for Performers

Ghostlight Ensemble invites poets, dancers, artists, storytellers, comedians and musicians to perform at our Holiday Cabernet fundraiser on December 14. We welcome performers of diverse skills and talents at this event.

Performances should be 5-10 minutes in length and themed to any of the winter holidays. Show off your talents in spoken word, slam poetry, excerpt reading, improv, dancing, comedy, music or any medium of your choice. The Cabernet is an excellent opportunity to try out new material in front of a friendly, supportive audience.

To submit, please send us a paragraph on your proposal and what genre of performance it falls under and any relevant links to your previous work. Email Jean at casting@ghostlightensemble.com. Deadline for submissions is November 1.

If you are selected we will contact you to communicate event details and information on how you would like to be recognized.

Performers will receive one complimentary ticket to the event and food and drink will be provided. There is no pay.

The event takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Vagabond School of the Arts (4001 N Ravenswood Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60613).

Ghostlight announces acts for its Holiday Cabernet

The Holiday Cabernet is shaping up to be quite a night of laughing, singing and dancing with acts ranging from clowning to improv to theatre — and just because it’s not weird enough, a live podcast.

Announced acts in our holiday-themed evening of cabaret-style entertainment include: Brad French, Club Asia, Les Enfants Terribles, Carrie Campana, Comedy Dance Chicago, The Holidudes, The Reviewniverse and Ghostlight Ensemble (that’s us!). Learn more about all these artists over on the Holiday Cabernet Facebook page, where we’re featuring a new act each day. And no promise that there won’t spontaneously be other performers who show up. It’s the holidays! Life is a cabernet…or is it cabaret? We’re drunk. Who can remember?!

The evening will be hosted by Chicago actress and personality Caitlin Jackson, along with her sober sidekick Chad. Expect singing and drinking and the unexpected.

The Holiday Cabernet takes place at 10:30 p.m. on December 14, 2018, in the back room at My Buddy’s (4416 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640). There’s plenty of street parking (though you probably shouldn’t be driving); the Montrose (78) and Clark (22) buses stop a few steps away; if you prefer trains and walking, the Wilson Red Line and Montrose Brown Line stops are a 15 minute walk away; or try ride sharing/cabs — they’ll bring right up to the front door!

Tickets are only $10 and are on sale now!

Introducing Norman J. Burt

Norman is a last minute replacement for the role of The Father in Six Characters in Search of an Author. He comes to Chicago by way of South Carolina, where he studied theatre performance in college. You may have seen him around town doing improv with various and assorted groups. We’re thankful to Norman for stepping into this challenging role at the last minute.

As previously noted, we’ve pushed back our opening from April 7 to April 14, which will give Norman more time to settle into this role. Thanks to our audiences for their patience during this transition.