The world has changed radically since cabarets first appeared in late 19th-century Paris. But despite enormous shifts in everything from the Earth's temperature to the devices we use to communicate with one another, cabaret lounges have remained pretty much the same. This is true both in terms of the kinds of performers attracted to the genre and the venues themselves. Riotous punk/drag acts such as the Dresden Dolls and Kiki & Herb might dominate views of the genre in the U.S. today, but the roots of these acts can be traced back easily to the likes of Edith Piaf and La Goulue and clubs like the Moulin Rouge and Le Chat Noir. From the cafe-style seating, casual atmosphere, and free-flowing booze of the typical nightspot to the hedonistic-nostalgic nature of the acts, cabarets have long been viewed as a comfort — a refuge from... More >>>