Paul Capsis Headlines Melbourne Cabaret Festival's Closing Gala Tonight, July 22

Icon, rock god and performer extraordinaire Paul Capsis will headline the Melbourne Cabaret Festival's Closing Gala at 8.30pm tonight, July 22, 2012, at Red Bennies. He'll be ably backed by the Urchins Gutter Band.

Those that attended the Opening Gala last week will attest to the brilliant job Sammy J did of hosting the night, so much so that the festival has invited the skinny warbling songbird back to host its Closing Gala.

As per last year, the night is in support of equal marriage rights, demonstrating cabaret can still be as political today as at the time of its origins. Fundraising on the night will go to Australian Marriage Equality, a national, membership-based organisation working for equal marriage rights for all Australians.

Others in the line-up include ARIA-award winner Monique Brumby, Chanel 7's Virginia Gay (Winners & Losers), multiple Green Room Award-winning Yana Alana and Tha Paranas, London cabaret sensation Spanky with Robert Tripolino, Ukulele wielding, heartbreakingly hilarious king of indie-cabaret Tom Dickins and Latte-lovin' Justin Clausen.

After the show, the festival will wrap it up late into the night with DJ's and live entertainment from 10pm, hosted by Spanky.

Doors open at 6pm. Dinner and show costs $90 (7pm). The show-only ticket price is $40 (8.30pm; may be standing room). The after party ticket price is $10 (10pm; door sales only; may be standing room. Existing audiences are entitled to stay at no extra charge).

Red Bennies is located at Lv 1 – 373 Chapel St, South Yarra. For bookings and further info, visit http://melbournecabaret.com/shows/closing-gala.

And for more about the Melbourne Cabaret Festival, visit melbournecabaret.com or find the festival on Twitter and Facebook.