Ahead of tonight’s kickoff of three consecutive nights of local music celebrating the 43rd year of beloved Eau Claire festival Decadent Cabaret, Converge got a chance to talk with Decadent Cabaret committee member Andrew Liss. Andrew sheds light on what keeps the DC team excited, what’s new with the fest this year, and more…
How does Decadent Cabaret come together each year?
“There are a multitude of people that make Decadent Cabaret work. It wouldn’t be possible to pull off such a large event without the help of family, friends and the vibrant local music community, but at the very core of the festival, there are four individuals who do most of the planning and coordinating.”
What keeps you all motivated to take on the work of it?
“Honestly? The people. The excitement we see every year as we get closer to that first weekend of March. The buzz, the chatter, the electricity when people talk about it with their friends. People who have moved away make sure this event is circled on their calendar and they travel back for it, some hundreds of miles. The fierce loyalty from musicians and concert goers alike demand our very best and that keeps us coming back for more.”
What about DC #43 has you most excited?
“We are constantly looking for ways to better the listening and viewing experience. This year we’ve added Thursday night back into the mix after a few years of running just Friday & Saturday. That has allowed us to add more bands to the bill, this year topping out at 38 groups. We have shirts available for sale for the first time. We’ve also added a five minute grace period between performances to allow the crowd to shift from upstairs to downstairs and vice versa.”
Anything else you’d like to let area music fans know about Decadent Cabaret?
“This festival features some of the very best musicians in the Chippewa Valley and the vibrance they bring to Decadent Cabaret is unmistakable. Their passion and drive is on full display every show they perform, and we invite everyone to seek these groups out well after Decadent Cabaret.”
Full DC #43’s full lineup and daily schedule click here!