There’s something magical that happens in a dimly lit room when a performer steps into the spotlight and begins to weave stories through song. It’s not just entertainment—it’s a shared journey that transforms both the artist and the audience.
When Music Becomes More Than Music
I still remember the precise moment I fell in love with cabaret. It was at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in the Festival Centre, watching Storm Large take the stage—bold, sassy, vulnerable, and completely unapologetic. With each song and every raw anecdote, she systematically dismantled the invisible barrier between performer and audience until it felt like we were all part of an intimate conversation.
What mesmerised me wasn’t just her technical skill, but how she transformed familiar jazz standards, turning them on their heads in ways I could never have imagined. But it was her final encore that forever changed me—an original song called “Stand Up For Me,” performed almost acapella. The room fell into complete stillness as her voice filled the space with raw emotion. In that moment, even though the room was larger than ideal for cabaret, I understood exactly what this art form was meant to achieve. It wasn’t just entertainment; it was a genuine human connection that transcended the typical performer-audience dynamic.
I love to entertain, but what truly drives me is creating moments where audiences don’t just hear the music—they feel it resonating in their core and leave with thoughts and feelings that linger long after the final note. Audiences have told me that “Hear My Voice” takes them on exactly this kind of journey—from tears to laughter, to inspiration and quiet moments of personal revelation.
That night at the Cabaret Festival changed how I approached my own performance and cemented my natural focus on connection and emotion. I realised that what audiences truly crave isn’t perfection—it’s connection. I learned through delivering performances of such a personal cabaret show that vulnerability and imperfection were in fact qualities we all share, and witnessing these human moments allows us to feel connected through shared experience.
The Art of Connection
What makes cabaret unique is how it dissolves the traditional boundaries between performer and audience. Unlike concerts where performers remain distant figures on a stage, cabaret invites you directly into the emotional landscape of each song. We create an intimate dialogue rather than a one-sided performance, and bring people in closer through storytelling and songs that help tell the story.
When I perform “Hear My Voice,” I’m not simply singing songs—I’m revealing parts of my own story, my unique relationship with my voice, and how it has shaped my sense of identity and many of my life experiences. Writing this show certainly took me on a roller coaster of emotion—from laughter ,to deep reflection and many tears along the way.
My mentors Amelia Ryan and Michael Griffiths warned me that creating my own cabaret show would be a roller coaster ride. What I discovered was exactly that—an unpredictable, exciting, revealing, and incredibly transformational journey. The process of crafting the show forced me to confront aspects of myself and my history I might otherwise have kept hidden—and in doing so, discover the power and vulnerability of authentic expression.
The Intimate Revolution of Small Venues
There’s a reason why cabaret thrives in more intimate, nostalgic spaces like Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar. In these smaller venues, the audience gets to know you, not only as the performer, but the person behind the voice. If you’re seated close enough (make sure you book early), you can see the subtle expressions on our faces, notice the moments the eyes close during an emotional phrase and feel the vibration of a sustained note.
The vintage ambiance, softer lighting, and closer proximity create an atmosphere where time seems to slow down, allowing for genuine connection. When surrounded by details from another era, we’re naturally invited to reflect and feel more deeply—exactly the state of mind that cabaret seeks to evoke.
In larger venues, performances sometimes feel like spectacles—impressive, but distant. In cabaret spaces, they become conversations. When I perform Nina Simone’s I wish I knew how it would feel to be free, or channel the emotional complexity of Edith Piaf, I can see the exact moment when a lyric lands, when someone in the audience feels seen or impacted by a particular phrase or anecdote.
That’s the difference between being impressed by a performer’s skills and being moved.
Finding Yourself in Someone Else’s Story
The most fascinating feedback I receive after performances often begins with: “I never expected to connect so deeply with a song I’d never heard before, or a song done completely differently, but—” followed by a personal revelation. That’s the true magic of cabaret. You might come for a night of jazz standards or bluesy tunes, but you leave having experienced something deeply personal.
My journey to embracing my distinctive deep vocal range—often misunderstood and sometimes even misgendered—becomes a universal story about embracing authenticity in a world that rewards conformity. The songs become vessels for shared human experiences: love, loss, joy, humour, resilience, and transformation.
When I perform “Hear My Voice” at Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar on May 10th, I’ll be bringing these stories to life in a lounge bar that is committed to supporting live and local performance. At Gingers artists are supported to present themselves authentically and the audience given a chance to connect over dinner and a show, creating a shared memorable musical and dining experience. Whether you join us for dinner at 6pm first or just arrive for the show at 8pm, you’ll be part of an evening that celebrates the beauty of authentic expression and connection.
Why We Need These Moments Now
In a world that often feels increasingly scary and unsettling, spaces for genuine human connection and artistic expression become even more precious. We need to be reminded of the better side of humanity—our capacity for empathy, vulnerability, and shared experience.
Cabaret offers an antidote to this disconnection—a chance to be present, to feel deeply, to laugh together, and to connect with both the performer and those experiencing the performance alongside you. It reminds us that music can be more than just background sound; it can be a meaningful shared experience.
When you attend “Hear My Voice,” you’re not just supporting live local music—you’re participating in a cabaret and jazz tradition that values authentic expression and emotional depth. You’re choosing to spend an evening engaged in something real. Don’t worry though, there will also be plenty of laughs along the way. I also learned from audience feedback that I am more funny than I ever realised! This was one of the many lessons I learned from the feedback received.
Join Me on Saturday May 10th at Gingers
I’d love for you to be part of this experience. Seats at Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar are limited by design—intimacy requires proximity—so booking early ensures you won’t miss out. Make sure you ring Gingers to reserve a table closer to the front if you want to really have that intimate experience. Alternatively if you feel like taking a seat at the bar on your own for the show, given them the heads up
Join me on May 10th as we explore how our voices—both literal and metaphorical—shape our identities and connections with others. Through jazz and blues, I’ll share my journey of embracing authenticity in a world that often rewards conformity. Perhaps in the process, you’ll discover something about your own voice too.
Come for a wonderful two course dinner at 6pm and stay for the show, or arrive at 8pm for the performance. Either way, I promise you a night that moves beyond mere entertainment into something much more meaningful.
To reserve a table, email gingersvintageloungebar.com.au/reservations or phone (08) 7073 2361. Bookings are available through https://www.trybooking.com/CZYAZ
Alexandra Frost performs “Hear My Voice” at Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar (109 Goodwood Road, Goodwood SA 5034) on May 10th, 2025. Dinner from 6pm, show from 8pm-10pm.