Nearly-nude drag show for mums and bubs sparks outrage and calls for punishments

Footage of nearly-nude drag artists performing for mums and bubs has sparked outrage online, with some calling for a crackdown on the event.

Footage of a CabaBabaRave drag show sparked furious outrage online.

Footage of scantily clad drag dancers performing for a crowd of mums and babies has sparked outrage online, with some calling for a crack down on the “abhorrent” event.

Videos taken from the Instagram account of CabaBabaRave are circulating on Twitter showing a crowd of mums with their infants cheering at drag artists who are dancing and performing acrobatics in lingerie, harnesses and thigh high boots.

While another performed in a G string. Picture: Twitter.

The CabaBabaRave show is branded as a “little slice of afternoon delight” that mixes cabaret with “captivating baby sensory moments … ending in a RAVE”.

It is hosted by two performers-turned-mums, Lizzie and Gemma, who “were constantly looking to be entertained while holding a baby in one hand and a pint in the other”.

Some of the more controversial performances shared online included one dancer performing aerial acrobatics from straps dangling from the ceiling while wearing a bondage-like harness, black shorts, and thigh-high boots.

The aerial performer wore a bondage-like harness. Picture: Twitter/Instagram

One performer did a handstand nearly-nude. Picture: Twitter.

Another performer can be seen performing a handstand from a chair onstage in a tiger print G-string (wearing only a black boa and tiger print gloves). Both were filmed at The Flair Ground, in southeast London.

British commentator Dominique Samuels shared the screen recordings on Twitter – which showed a third performer in a more modest all-Pink ensemble dancing for the crowd – and said she “can’t even fathom” who would take their children to the show.

Over the weekend, I was sent some shocking screenshots and videos of a Drag Event at the Honor Oak Pub.

Little did I know, it would get worse.

Please watch and share my expose of these disgusting events targeting kids.

Gov needs to be act! https://t.co/gVWSCU3AvF

— Dominique Samuels (@Dominiquetaegon) March 1, 2023

The videos were met with a quick and furious backlash, with many calling for authorities or the government to intervene.

“What parent (if we can call them that) in their right mind would subject ANY child to this,” one woman wrote. “What damage is being done to this young minds; parents are there to protect children from this type of behaviour. Why is this being allowed to continue????”

“Looks like ‘mothers’ getting their kicks from ogling scantily clad men, and dragging their babies along,” another user wrote, adding it was “beyond sickening”.

What parent (if we can call them that) in their right mind would subject ANY child to this. What damage is being done to this young minds; parents are there to protect children from this type of behaviour. Why is this being allowed to continue????

— suse (@16Suse) March 1, 2023

Looks like 'mothers' getting their kicks from ogling scantily clad men, and dragging their babies along. Because who wouldn't want to hold their 'baby in one hand and a pint in the other' while watching 'cabaret'/ending with a 'rave'

Beyond sickening.https://t.co/0PooYp6Elo

— Danny (@danny_wkl) March 2, 2023

Brazilian journalist Karina Michelin said “involving children in shows like this should be a crime, and everyone, including parents, should be investigated”.

Another screen recording of a CabaBabaRave Instagram story was shared by content creator Natly Denise, showing performers singing and dancing for the crowd of cheering mums.

“I hope the toddler’s parent’s family and friends see this and shame to no extent,” she tweeted with the video.

This is so disturbing 🤬

— Art_venom (@Artvenom2) March 2, 2023

Are these adults so bored outta their life that they need to cheer and bring along their toddlers to a literal daylight drag show!

— N A N A (@ohhnana247) March 2, 2023

One user noted that CabaBabaRave is owned by two heterosexual women and, although the videos were “vile … they weren’t acting alone”, and it was unfair for the LGBTQIA+ and drag community to be vilified for it.

“Many gay ppl (sic) object to this sh*t but it’s often pushed by bored straight ppl (sic) who want to appear edgy. Meanwhile, gay ppl (sic) get the backlash,” they wrote.

CabaBabaRave is owned and operated by 2 heterosexual wine moms. Yes it matters. Many gay ppl object to this shit but often it's pushed by bored straight ppl who want to appear edgy. Meanwhile, gay ppl get the backlash. The men in this vid are vile but they aren't acting alone. pic.twitter.com/kNxE6ZaYng

— Genital Preference Investigation Team (@TroonPlanet) March 1, 2023

In the wake of the backlash, CabaBabaRave’s website, Instagram, and Facebook pages have been removed from public view. But archived images from the website show a range of drag performers engaging with children and their parents.

CabaBabaRave has an upcoming sold out show on March 11 as part of the VAULT Festival.

On the festival’s web page for the show, CabaBabaRave hosts Lizzie and Gemma said they wanted to create an event that gave parents the “experience of a ‘big London night out’ … cabaret, drinks and dancing … but one you can bring your baby to and still be home for bedtime”.

News.com.au has approached CabaBabaRave for comment.

CabaBabaRave is branded as a ‘little slice of afternoon delight’ mixing cabaret performance with ‘captivating baby sensory moments … ending in a RAVE’. Picture: cabababarave.com

VAULT Festival addressed the controversy in a tweet on Friday morning, saying it was supporting the “affected artists”.

“The cabaret show is designed for parents, with sensory moments for babies, and is a fun and welcoming space for parents with young babies,” the tweet reads.

We are aware of comments on social media directed at CABABABARAVE, part of the 2023 VAULT Festival programme. The cabaret show is designed for parents, with sensory moments for babies, and is a fun and welcoming space for parents with young babies.

— VAULT Festival (@VAULTFestival) March 2, 2023

We stand against the inexcusable threats of violence and assault against our programmed artists, our staff, and directed at the LGBTQIA+ community, and are supporting the affected artists.

— VAULT Festival (@VAULTFestival) March 2, 2023

“VAULT Festival exists to support live performance and artistic talent and is proud to platform events that are welcoming and accessible for all, with audience safety always as a top priority.

“We stand against the inexcusable threats of violence and assault against our programmed artists, our staff, and directed at the LGBTQIA+ community, and are supporting the affected artists,” it added.

People see a couple pictures of #cabababarave in the press and jump to all sorts of assumptions. There is nothing sexual or erotic about the show. It is a cabaret show with sensory elements for mums on maternity leave and babies. pic.twitter.com/lodZbpRIwq

— Lynn Carratt (@LynnCarratt) March 2, 2023

However, a number of people have come out in support of the show, sharing pictures of their own CabaBabaRave experiences.

“There is nothing sexual or erotic about the show. It is a cabaret show with sensory elements for mums on maternity leave and babies,” British journalist Lynn Carratt tweeted alongside photos of a rave.

And Nonsuch Studios, a Nottingham theatre venue shared a video of a drag queen and the “spellbound” audience.