The cancellation of all upcoming cabaret shows at Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret, a staple of Chicago’s cabaret scene, has sent shockwaves throughout the community, with many local performers expressing concern about the venue’s future. Cancellation Notice
A statement released on Wednesday by Davenport’s on its Instagram and Facebook accounts confirmed the cancellation of all cabaret shows, citing low profitability and a desire to change programming to better serve the local community. The statement also acknowledged complaints from patrons regarding the lack of variety in the venue’s classical piano music offerings. The Problem with Classical Music
Patterson, a Chicago cabaret performer, noted that the cancellation is a significant blow to the cabaret community, which has seen a decline in recent years. “The cabaret community is all about diversity and creativity, and Davenport’s has always been a place where you could hear a wide range of music and performance styles,” she said. “The fact that they’re canceling all cabaret shows is a loss for our community, and it’s a loss for the city of Chicago as a whole.”
New Direction for Davenport’s
In the wake of the cancellation, Davenport’s has rebranded as “Davenport’s ULTRA Lounge” on Instagram and announced plans to offer bottle service and live DJs. The new direction appears to be a departure from the venue’s traditional cabaret format, and has left many in the community feeling disappointed and unsure about the future of the venue. Artist Reactions
Many local performers have taken to social media to express their disappointment and frustration with the cancellation. Chicago singer Lexa Maxa, who was scheduled to perform at Davenport’s in May, said she only learned about the cancellation yesterday and was not given a specific reason. Maxa noted that ticket-holders have received refunds, but she is still uncertain about the future of the cabaret community in Chicago. The Loss of a Beloved Venue
The cancellation of Davenport’s cabaret shows is a significant loss for the cabaret community, and has left many feeling sad and nostalgic for the venue. Many performers and patrons have fond memories of the venue, which has been a staple of the Chicago cabaret scene for many years. A New Opportunity
Despite the challenges facing the cabaret community, many are optimistic about the future of Davenport’s and the potential for new and exciting developments in the venue. As Davenport’s management said, “We believe that by changing our programming we will be able to give Wicker Park what they have been asking us for. We’re looking ahead to new opportunities and exciting plans for the future at Davenport’s.”
Bottle Service and Live DJs
Davenport’s has announced plans to offer bottle service and live DJs, which is a significant departure from the venue’s traditional cabaret format. While some may see this as a positive change, others are concerned about the direction the venue is taking. A New Era for Davenport’s
The cancellation of Davenport’s cabaret shows marks the end of an era for the venue, but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in the venue’s history. As the venue continues to evolve and change, it will be interesting to see how the cabaret community responds and whether Davenport’s will emerge as a thriving and vibrant hub of creative expression.

Quotes
“‘We’re all scrambling,’ said Anne Burnell, managing director of Chicago Cabaret Week, who is actively looking for a replacement venue for Maxa’s show. ‘It’s a huge loss for the cabaret community. Hopefully there will be other venues that will step up and have this kind of intimate music because we don’t really want it to be gone from Chicago. Davenport’s helped us put cabaret on the map.’
“‘I wasn’t given a specific reason,’ said Lexa Maxa, Chicago singer. ‘There’s a lot of hard work that goes into putting on these shows. So, cancellations are really upsetting. But I’m part of the larger cabaret community in Chicago, so we kind of just work together to help each other out. From what I’m seeing on Facebook and [from] talking to other artists, some people paid deposits, so they’re not sure if they’re going to get them back.’
“‘Got an email yesterday telling me that they [Davenport’s] are changing direction,’ said Karen Mason, singer. ‘Chicago fam, my May shows there are canceled. Davenports is closing. They assured us that they will be refunding all tickets. I’m gutted.’
“‘I could kind of see the writing on the wall,’ said Gary Thomas, Sinatra tribute artist. ‘Usually there’s some kind of synchronicity between the front bar and the back bar in terms of the kind of music that’s being played and the crowd. But when I showed up, there was very loud contemporary music being played through speakers in the front bar and a younger, rowdier crowd hanging out in there. I was thinking, ‘This isn’t the atmosphere at Davenport’s that I’m used to.’
Definition: Cabaret
Cabaret is a type of live performance that typically features music, singing, and/or dance, often with a focus on storytelling and emotional expression. Cabaret performances often take place in a dimly lit, intimate setting, and may feature a variety of styles and genres. Definition: Sinatra Tribute Artist
A Sinatra tribute artist is a performer who specializes in singing and performing the music of Frank Sinatra, often in a style that emulates the legendary singer. Sinatra tribute artists often perform at cabaret venues and other live music spaces, and may also tour and perform at other events. Highlights
• Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret has canceled all of its upcoming cabaret shows due to low profitability. • The venue has rebranded as “Davenport’s ULTRA Lounge” and will offer bottle service and live DJs. • Many local performers have expressed disappointment and frustration with the cancellation, citing the loss of a beloved venue and the potential for a decline in the cabaret community. • Despite the challenges facing the cabaret community, many are optimistic about the future of Davenport’s and the potential for new and exciting developments in the venue. • The cancellation of Davenport’s cabaret shows marks the end of an era for the venue, but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in the venue’s history.