Dozens of acts, several stages beckon at first Seattle cabaret festival

"Come to the cabaret," the song goes.

But what if there are three or four cabarets to choose from?

That's the case with the inaugural Seattle International Cabaret Festival which, after kicking off with the Tiger Lillies at the Moore last week, resumes on Wednesday with dozens of acts performing at four venues. It's the brainchild of Chris Snell, Can Can's artistic director and a longtime live-entertainment producer ("anything from opera to punk rock," he says).

His aim, he explains, is to provide a showcase for "the more avant-garde side of cabaret," especially in music and physical performance.

The Can Can's house troupe, the Castaways, will be part of the festivities. Snell describes them as "super high-level dance, super-high energy, with some of the comedic elements that burlesque possesses. ... They're powerhouses."

The international component comes from Europe's Gypsy Sound System, whose Balkan vibe is served up with techno trimmings, and England's Danbert Nobacon (of Chumbawamba) who'll take part in "Cabaret Macabre": an annual shindig orchestrated by Seattle band the Bad Things. "Cabaret Macabre" also features L.A. duo the Peculiar Pretzelmen, and local aerialist/balloon-swallower Michele Francis.

Acts from across the country include New York's Huxley Vertical Cabaret Nouveau, West Hollywood's Veronique Chevalier ("gothic polka" — and sometimes "gothic industrial Asian polka") and San Francisco's Vinsantos with his spooky lineup of original songs and cover tunes (including a chilling version of Syd Barrett's already-eerie "Golden Hair").

From Portland comes Vagabond Opera, whose new album, "The Zeitgeist Beckons," continues in their usual antic-grandiloquent vein.

The lineup of Seattle talent is just as impressive. Drag chanteuse Arnaldo! pays homage to Eartha Kitt. Circus Contraption will stage their farewell performance. Queen Shmooquan, the Heavenly Spies, God's Favorite Beefcake and many more are part of the fun.

The most unusual venue may be "Poe's Peculiar Parlour" at Pensione Nichols, a First Avenue B&B. "They've got this great piano room," Snell says. There, a mix of film, visual art and live entertainment will be curated by local cabaret-scene documentarian Miss Oblivious.

For $99, you can get into all venues on all five nights on a first-come-first-served basis. Passholders are encouraged to wander from show to show. There may be a drinks minimum at some venues. Passes and festival schedules are available at Can Can or at www.cabaretfestival.com. Note: almost every artist on the program has a MySpace music page where you can sample the goods before buying tickets.

Michael Upchurch: mupchurch@seattletimes.com