Patrick’s Cabaret

I must admit that I have never been in this place but have passed it a few times on my way to restaurants around the neighborhood. Finally got my chance to go in for a show that one of my friends had for the MN Fringe Festival (it was a great show). It had a very cool, laid back atmosphere upon walking into the establishment. The performance space is a pretty decent size with seating for about 60 – 70 people. There was a waiting room area where you can purchase drinks (non-​alcoholic if I remember correctly) and just pass time until the show begins.
I was impressed enough with the space and would like to see other shows on the stage, should make for a great evening.

I’ve been here for a number of shows, and have volunteered to help setup and clean up after some of their variety shows.
I primarily attend their occasional variety shows. They are all loosely based around a theme (sci-​fi or burlesque or whatever) but don’t stick to it very tightly. I seem to think the theme is just for the sake of creating promotional flyers rather than actually directing the type of performances you’d see.
I’ve seen some very talented artists, and most variety shows feature the same group of people performing each time. I’ve seen some stand-​out, and mind-​blowing performance art… a Martin Luther King Jr. tribute stands out in my mind as one of the first times I’d seen a performance that was actually really inspiring. I’ve seen amazing guitar players work a sampler and beat box into a one-​man show that was amazing. On the other hand, I’ve seen plenty of mediocre people doing the robot, and some pretty bad comedy routines. It’s really hit or miss.
I think the first time you see one of these variety shows, you really appreciate the guts and raw talent out there and see it through rose colored glasses. There is some astonishingly good talent in Minneapolis! On subsequent shows, some of the magic wears off though, and those star acts can’t really carry the weaker ones. It sort of turns into a school talent show.
Overall though, its a great little performance space — and fun to go to once or twice a year!

If the fringey arts scene in Minneapolis had a Girl Scout sash that one could fill out with badges, you’d get one for attending Patrick’s Cabaret.
I came here on Cabaret night (kind of a curated open mic set-​up) with a friend from work who’s heavily involved in the dance community in the Cities, so while I was expecting dance I had no idea I’d also be exposed to kick-​ass spoken word about porn, electronica tackling race in America, and love poetry. Everything was really well done– as other reviewers mentioned, it was casual but the performers were very sincere.
For $ 8 (so little, and all of the dollaz go to the artists!) I left feeling like my mind had been stretched and my creativity had been sparked.

Another one under try as many things as possible.
While I appreciate the artistic range, depth and talent some of the performers have, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
While the venue is nice, open and decent accoustic wise, some of the performances were just excruciating to have to endure for 2 hours.
Came to support some friends who were quite entertaining (yes I’m biased) but having to sit through some of the other perfomances seemed like an eternity.
Dance (i use that term loosely), angsty poetry, songs out of key, a guy leaping around in just a 70’s leather jacket with no bottoms. Who was he trying to be? Winnie the Pooh? Anyone notice that Pooh doesn’t have bottoms either? Ugh– plus several encores from many of the performers just wasn’t my idea of a good time.
I give them a lot of praise and respect for their art and for getting up in front of a large crowd to perform, I couldn’t do it. It just wasn’t my thing, but I’m glad I went and at least tried it.

I’ve been to 2 shows now at Patricks. I saw their ‘Somewhat Sci-​Fi Variety Show’ last month and the ‘Kinetic Kitchen’ last weekend. Dance isn’t really my thing, ballet even less so. However I have to say I enjoyed both shows. The performers didn’t take themselves too seriously, while still being professional about it.
The theater is in a converted firehouse with seating for maybe a couple hundred-​ish. A good solid wood floor and decent lighting and sound. The shows were just $ 10, all of which goes to the performers… they pass a basket during the intermission to kick in for the operating costs of the Theater itself. I think this is an awesome model.
There’s supposed to be some parking right there, but I’ve found it overly simple to park across Lake St in the Target lot. There’s eats in the neighborhood from Midori’s a block away down to all the chains being literally within sight.