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Lord Mayor's Seniors Cabaret

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Develop your on-stage talents with our free seniors' program and learn from the best entertainers in the business.

About the Lord Mayor’s Seniors Cabaret

The Lord Mayor's Seniors Cabaret is a free program for Brisbane seniors. It offers expert guidance and helps develop creative talents in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Prepare, deliver, succeed - if you can dream it, you can do it!

2026 theme

This year's theme is:

Legends and icons: the people, moments and music that shaped our world.

This theme is a powerful way to celebrate the extraordinary individuals, defining moments and unforgettable music that have shaped generations.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • honour legendary artists from around the world alongside iconic figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy
  • global moments such as the first moon landing during Apollo 11 and the cultural revolution symbolised by Woodstock.

Through song, music, dance and spoken word, performers bring to life a soundtrack of social change, unity, hope and celebration. The program spans protest anthems and patriotic ballads through to era‑defining classics and contemporary tributes.

Some participants will perform at showcase concerts in September. Selected performers may also appear at the Lord Mayor’s Seniors Cabaret Gala in October at Brisbane City Hall.

Eligibility

The program is open for registration to all Brisbane seniors – from new to experienced performers.

 

 

How to register

Register for masterclasses with top industry professionals. 

Registrations for the Lord Mayor's Seniors Cabaret 2026 program will open on Monday 1 June 2026.

What's involved

Throughout July and August, you will have the unique opportunity to work one-on-one with top industry professionals in a fun and safe masterclass environment and be guided to perform successfully on stage.

Prior to attending the masterclass, participants will prepare a short performance item to bring along, which will be developed and workshopped with the mentor during the session.

The focus of the Masterclass sessions includes:

  • choirs/vocals groups only sessions
  • soloist, duos, trios
  • comedians, poetry, musicians
  • learning stage craft
  • ukulele and voice
  • dancing only sessions
  • learning a group song and dance item.

Masterclasses morning sessions run from 10am-1pm and afternoon sessions from 1.30-3.30pm

2026 masterclass sessions

  • Monday 20 July 2026 (morning), SunPAC, Sunnybank with Jo Nash
  • Monday 20 July 2026 (afternoon), SunPAC, Sunnybank with Jo Nash
  • Thursday 23 July 2026 (morning), Sandgate Town Hall with David Rogers-Smith
  • Thursday 23 July 2026 (afternoon), Sandgate Town Hall with David Rogers-Smith
  • Wednesday 29 July 2026 (morning), Hamilton Town Hall, Ascot with Ashleigh Denning
  • Thursday 30 July 2026 (morning), Old Museum Building, Bowen Hills with Timothy Sherlock
  • Sunday 2 August 2026 (morning), Wynnum Municipal Hall with Renae Suttie
  • Wednesday 5 August 2026 (morning), Seven Hills Hub with Billy Bourchier
  • Thursday 6 August 2026 (morning), Moorooka Community Centre with Vic Kena
  • Thursday 6 August 2026 (afternoon), Moorooka Community Centre with Vic Kena
  • Tuesday 11 August 2026 (morning), Northgate Hall with Rebecca Cassidy
  • Tuesday 11 August 2026 (afternoon), Northgate Hall with Rebecca Cassidy
  • Wednesday 12 August 2026 (morning), Burnie Brae Community Centre, Chermside with Gregory Moore
  • Wednesday 12 August 2026 (afternoon), Burnie Brae Community Centre, Chermside with Gregory Moore
  • Thursday 13 August 2026 (morning), Toombul Shire Hall, Nundah with Gregory Moore

After completing the masterclasses, some participants perform in a showcase. They display singing, dancing, and instrumental skills at venues across Brisbane.

Showcases run from 11am-12.15pm (unless otherwise stated).

  • Tuesday 1 September 2026, Sunnybank Hills Shoppingtown
  • Sunday 6 September 2026, Wynnum Municipal Hall
  • Tuesday 8 September 2026, Kedron-Wavell Services Club
  • Wednesday 9 September 2026, Seven Hills Hub
  • Wednesday 16 September 2026, Burnie Brae Community Centre, Chermside
  • Sunday 20 September 2026 (12-1pm), Brisbane City Hall
  • Tuesday 22 September 2026, Sandgate Town Hall
  • Thursday 24 September 2026, Arana Leagues Club, Keperra
  • Sunday 11 October 2026 (12-1pm), Queen Street Mall stage, Brisbane CBD

Lord Mayor's Seniors Cabaret Gala

The Lord Mayor’s Seniors Cabaret Gala: Legends and Icons will be held on Sunday 25 October 2026 at 3pm at Brisbane City Hall.

This special event will include performances by the experts, as well as some of the participants from this year’s program.

Tickets will go on sale in late September.