Melbourne Cabaret Festival Raises Over $15,000

Hundreds of supporters today saved the Melbourne Cabaret Festival, far exceeding its $15,000 fundraising goal via crowdfunding site pozible.com

The 35-day fundraising campaign closed noon today with $18,180 raised, or 121% of the target. It marks the first time in Australia that a Festival has received ‘core funding’ via crowdfunding and is the strongest indication possible of audience and community support.

The campaign was supported by the likes of Geoffrey Rush, the Dresden Dolls, Paul Capsis, Sammy J & Randy, Alan Brough and the Jane Austen Argument.

Politicians from both major parties also came out in support. One supporter is due to have lunch at Parliament House with Heidi Victoria, the State Liberal Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts, and another to enjoy ‘High Afternoon Tea’ with Martin Foley, the State Labor Member for Albert Park.

The campaign represents the first time Melbourne’s cabaret venues have united, as demonstrated by them supplying items for sale, running fundraising events and most partaking in a new annual Festival membership scheme.

Executive Producer Neville Sice said “In the final few days, as we realised that the broad, often disorganised cabaret community – audiences, performers and venues – of the city we love had swung behind us, another benefit of crowdfunding struck us. By being open with our supporters and asking them for help direct, the festival had been validated in a way that other methods of raising funds can’t achieve.”

“Equipped with the hard-earned dollars of many, as we jumped over our target $15,000, our resolve to present Melbourne with an exciting festival in 2012 has been revitalised,” he said.

The Melbourne Cabaret Festival is one of Victoria’s fastest growing festivals, having achieved a 37% increase in sales last year. The not-for-profit Festival is currently funded entirely through fundraising campaigns, strategic sponsorships and ticket sales. The Festival WILL be held Thursday 12 to Saturday 21 July. http://melbournecabaret.com