Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett
16 August–25 September 2022
Sydney is about to sparkle again, thanks to the NSW Government’s CBDs Revitalisation Program, administered through the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. This has made possible the return of the sell-out success Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett, the Sydney Fringe Festival and RUNAWAY Gardens, all successful applicants for funding under the groundbreaking program.
Overall, the NSW Government has invested $50 million in the CBDs Revitalisation Program to encourage people back into CBDs across Greater Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle. This third funding round represents an investment of $21.25 million across 40 projects, with Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett, Sydney Fringe Sideshow and RUNAWAY Gardens amongst the first of this final-round of funded events to be presented, running from Tuesday, 16 August, to Sunday, 25 September.
“The NSW Government has committed $50 million to stage events and activations in CBDs across Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. This investment is helping businesses, venues and cultural institutions encourage audiences to socially reconnect in urban environments accelerating economic recovery,” said 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues.
“We’re delighted to support diverse cultural events that will also stimulate local business recovery and provide employment opportunities for the creative industries. After more than two years of uncertainty, the CBDs Revitalisation Program is a much-needed boost for venues and performers. Moreover, it’s an excuse for Sydneysiders to get out of the house and have some fun.”
Thanks to this investment, The Rocks historic precinct will be transformed into a festival hub with immersive activations and a mesmerising Spiegeltent program of cabaret, live music and comedy. The area will come to life with the newest and most glamorous after-dark action, perched right on the picturesque Harbour, making it truly one of the world’s best places to find yourself when the sun sinks below the horizon.
Inside the opulent Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent there’ll be outlandish, hilarious and daredevil acts performed in Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett, starring her band of freakishly talented bohemian misfits.
The diversity continues with the RUNAWAY Legends Club, a series of performances from bona fide legends of the Australian music scene; the RUNAWAY Festival Club, an assembly of the best talent from the Fringe each Thursday night; the POOF DOOF DRAG BRUNCH CLUB a full-tilt showcase of drag, comedy, burlesque and cabaret with 1.5 hours of belly laugh wit and humour with snappy sets from the RUNAWAY Comedy Allstars, and two performances of Merrick Watt’s Idiot’s Guide to Wine comedy show.
There are culinary delights to savour at RUNAWAY Gardens, open from 4-10pm Tuesday to Thursday, and 12 noon to 11pm (Friday and Saturday) and 10pm (Sunday). Festivalgoers can wine and dine decadently with food from Lobster & Co or Agape Organic and drinks from Archie Rose with their award-winning spirits, beers pulled by Atomic, wine poured by Zilzie Wines, French Champagne from Pommery and espresso martinis by Mr. Black.
Each September, the Sydney Fringe Festival presents new work from over 450 culture creators across all genres, making it the largest independent arts festival in New South Wales. It’s a platform for Sydney stories by Sydney voices in their originating landscape.
Join the nocturnal crowd bringing the life back to Sydney – it’s a six-week urban adventure infusing homegrown flavour with outlandishly skilled entertainers, all done in the dark.
This extended six-week season of Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett, Sydney Fringe Sideshow and RUNAWAY Gardens was made possible thanks to the unique collaboration between Australian independent concert and touring company Zaccaria, Dead Man Label, Sydney Fringe, Placemaking NSW, the New South Wales Government’s CBD Revitalisation Program, and the 24-hour Economy Advisory Group.
