>>COMING UP: Dayton’s rooftop Beatles tribute returns with ‘Come Together’ and ‘Stay Together’
“Many people think of classical mythology when considering gods and goddesses but ANY interpretation of divinity is appropriate to this theme,” Al-Naseem says. “People can even invent their own god or goddess for this, if they like. It’s all about being creative and letting your inspiration guide you.”
This Saturday, you can celebrate that tradition by dressing up as your favorite god or goddess and coming to Yellow Cab Tavern for Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret XVI, a wild variety show full of mirth and spectacle.
>> BEST EVENTS: 35 ways to spend your August days
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
“The stories and personalities of the world’s pantheons are all facets of humanity, so this is a very global theme,” says Zattana Al-Naseem, who has co-organized Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret with her friend Matthew Smith since 2018.
This time around, Al-Naseem and Smith are cutting no corners to provide attendees with a truly captivating night of merriment, with performances, shopping and more.
>> COMMENTARY: What the world absolutely needs to know about Dayton, Ohio
“We’ve brought in some brand-new acts for this one,” says Al-Naseem, “and we’re very eager to see them perform.”
Female-fronted electronic music duo Tingari will make their Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret debut on Saturday. “They fuse ancient world music with modern electronic sound to deliver empowering, uplifting messages and high-energy grooves,” says Al-Naseem.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Burlesque dancer Raven Evermore will perform as the goddess Persephone at Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret. “We are excited to include this new performer in the show,” says Al-Naseem. “She has beauty, grace, and is extremely creative.”
>> SAVE THE DATE: OPA! Authentic food, Ouzo Slushies and more at Dayton Greek Festival
Al-Naseem and Smith are also excited to bring Cincinnati-based Pickled Brothers Circus to Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret XVI. They have performed their sideshow act on “The Tonight Show,” MTV, Animal Planet and more. “Now they’re coming to the Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret to astound us with their fire arts and bed of nails,” says Al-Naseem.
Cincinnati flow artist, go-go dancer, and model Elixir The Enigma will be another first-timer at Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret XVI. She will use LED props in her act.
Several Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret staple performers will also return to the event, including the band Curse of Cassandra, belly dancers Troupe Roja, and aerial arts from Femme Fatale Fitness.
Pyradigm will be the DJ for the night, providing a diverse and broad soundtrack to the festivities.
And don’t forget the vendors — 14 different booths, offering everything from exotic and unconventional stuffed animals to massage to jewelry and more.
>> HOW TO HELP: Dayton.com, Dayton Foundation partner to help victims' families
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
If you get hungry, food truck Son of a Biscuit will hook you up with all sorts of tasty vittles, and of course there’s Yellow Cab Tavern’s full bar and 8 taps to wash it down with.
Zatana Al-Naseem wants to remind everybody that while dressing up in a costume makes Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret a great time, it’s by no means a requirement. She also recognizes that the Gods and Goddesses theme is open to interpretation.
“Many people think of classical mythology when considering gods and goddesses but ANY interpretation of divinity is appropriate to this theme,” Al-Naseem says. “People can even invent their own god or goddess for this, if they like. It’s all about being creative and letting your inspiration guide you.”
Want to go?
What: Ye Olde Yellow Cabaret — Gods & Goddesses
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. 4th St.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10
Tickets: $20 at the door
Info: Facebook | Yellow Cab Tavern website
About the Author