Our History

Cabaret West was founded in 1995 by singer, Cameron Silver. A UCLA Theatre Arts graduate and vocal student of Karen Morrow and Barbara Bliss, he began his career at the New York City Cabaret in Los Angeles. At the time, there weren’t a lot of outlets to sing the songs that he loved (those of the '20s, '30s and '40s) and he felt quite alone in his passion. After attending a MAC-sponsored cabaret seminar and witnessing firsthand the vital cabaret scene in New York City, he got the idea to start Cabaret West.

Not knowing whether anyone would come, he sent out about 30 letters to performers, club owners and others who make their home in Los Angeles, inviting them to a meeting. Not only did these people show up, but he found that they were as passionate about cabaret as he was. Immediately, they set about formalizing the organization and in no time drew up a mission statement, chose an advisory board, and designed a logo.

On October 8, 1995, Cabaret West produced their first show at Tom Rolla’s Gardenia Restaurant and Lounge in West Hollywood, California. Heading the program were performers Billy Barnes, Claiborne Cary, Clay Crosby, Karen Morrow, Bruce Vilanch as M.C. and Wayland Pickard as Musical Director. The show was a tremendous success with standing room only and confirmed the fact that there was indeed an audience for cabaret on the West Coast. Within a year, the membership grew to nearly 200 and, today, that number has increased to over 400.

In November 1997, Cameron handed over the administration of Cabaret West to then Treasurer Les Traub, so that he could concentrate on Decades, the upscale vintage clothing stores he founded. Clothes and cabaret seem miles apart, but Cameron believes there are parallels: "Both are personality-driven, involve history, and require interaction with its patrons." Still a consultant to Cabaret West, he's astonished that others look to him as a leader when all he wanted was to create a family support group. He maintains his admiration for the performers, patrons and producers who keep cabaret’s magic alive and feels gratified and humbled that the organization he founded has continued to grow.

— Donna Abraham, Calendar Editor/Archivist