Cabaret for a Cure, the school’s popular annual dance show and charity fundraiser hosted by the Queen’s Law Cancer Society (QLCS), reached unprecedented heights this year. A greater number of talented student dancers, as well as models in a new fashion show, performed on a larger stage in front of a bigger crowd. The incredibly fun-filled night on March 13 saw more than triple the usual funds raised as classmates, faculty, friends and parents packed the Grand Theatre in downtown Kingston, generating almost $14,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
“The turnout was beyond our wildest dreams!” says Hailey Abramsky, who co-chairs QLCS with Law’16 classmate Whitney Abrams. “You could hear the cheering from backstage. We are so proud to have been a part of creating something so amazing.”
More than 100 performers had been practising tirelessly at least once a week since early January so they could put on an entertaining and memorable event.
Dancers showed off their moves in eight numbers, including hip hop, jazz, “boy band” acts, and an interpretive “greek epic” dance that featured a ballet written and performed by three Law’15 students.
Student models of all shapes and sizes strutted down the catwalk, parading clothing in three “wearable chic” fashion lines donated from the downtown stores Agent 99, Blueprint and American Apparel – all places where students now say they are eager to shop. “It was important to us that everyone felt comfortable and excited,” says Abrams.
Anticipation for the event had been building for months through the enthusiastic committee members and two new channels: the Queen’s Law Cancer Society website and its “Awareness Blog” headed by Andrea Schneider, Law’16. Also, by holding the event in a professional performance venue, QLCS was able to attract 11 local and provincial law firms and businesses as corporate sponsors.
Both co-chairs are thrilled with the “overwhelmingly positive” student response to Cabaret. “Many participants have claimed this was the highlight of their year,” says Abrams. “And several first-year students said that this was an incredible bonding experience both for them as a class and for Queen’s Law as a whole.”
“It’s unanimous,” adds Abramsky about audience feedback. “This was the most entertaining Cabaret Queen’s Law has ever seen!”
