Oxford Street's Palms nightclub is set to turn up the heat on Sydney's Sunday nights with the debut of its new weekly show Glamboyance: Cabaret Des Hommes.
Launching this Sunday (May 18), the all-male revue stars seasoned performers Heath Keating, Eli Crawford and James Vidigal in a vibrant celebration of masculine glam and theatrical dance.
Billed as a fresh twist on the traditional cabaret, Glamboyance blends strong choreography with flamboyant flair, pulling inspiration from vintage Las Vegas and classic showgirl aesthetics.
"We wanted to do something that was a bit different that no one else is really doing," said Keating, who helped develop the concept.
"We have three boys presenting in kind of like a showgirl, old-fashioned, cabaret Las Vegas style, but still being very masculine and not doing full drag… bending that genre of drag meets male performer."
Keating, a dance veteran with 17 years of Oxford Street experience, describes the show as a fusion of "masculine and feminine, strong and soft, simplistic but exaggerated."
The aim is to break the mould, offering something uniquely expressive and undeniably queer, all while delivering a polished, high-energy dance production — without losing the performers' authentic masculine identities.
Two main production shows will run each Sunday night between 10.30pm and 12.30am, with additional go-go segments adding variety. The first performance promises a "Kylie Minogue showgirl inspired" vibe, while the second remains a surprise, but is said to go in a very different direction.
Palms venue manager Michael Lewis said the decision to launch the cabaret was driven by a need to revitalise Sundays on Oxford Street.
"We just wanted to come up with something new and fun and something everyone else isn't doing," he said.
"We're going to throw a lot more at the night – three professional dancers in the show, custom costumes, high production values, new stage backdrop and lighting and sexy host on the door.
"Combined with Palms friendly bar staff we believe it will be a real winner."
The immersive layout adds to the charm. Rather than being confined to a raised stage, the performers engage directly with the audience, using the intimate space to break down the fourth wall.
"It's such a nice, intimate space, we really wanted to capitalise on that kind of energy where it's a bit more personal," said Keating.
"We'll be moving around the room and be a part of the audience and interact and play with the crowd.
"Because I think that’s the kind of vibe at Palms, where people feel like they’re a part of performance."
Costumes for the show are designed by drag queen Jacqui St.Hyde, with music curated by AiRHEAD AUDiO and DJ LXO spinning tracks throughout the night.
Shows kick off each Sunday from 10pm, with doors open from 8pm until 3am. To sweeten the deal, the venue is offering drink specials for RSA cardholders and performers – $7 tap beers and spirits, plus $15 cocktails.
Keating emphasises that this is not just another pretty show. All three cast members are professionally trained dancers, with Keating himself having worked with big names like Kylie Minogue, Taylor Swift, and Little Mix.
"We haven't pulled back for any reason in the dance department," he said. "We really wanted to create something that showcases our dance talent."
While Palms expects to see a mix of regulars and new faces, Lewis noted a recent trend towards a younger crowd on Sunday nights, typically in their mid-20s to mid-30s.
"It's definitely been getting younger," he said, with a late-night rush usually kicking off around 10pm.
The team hopes Glamboyance will re-ignite a sense of theatrical spectacle and community on Oxford Street.
"Palms feels like more of a home environment rather than just a separate performer and patron kind of club," Keating said.
With its blend of camp, charisma, and full-throttle dance energy, Glamboyance hopes to bring a bold new edge to Sunday nights on the strip – glamorous, interactive, and unapologetically male.
The show complements Palms' weekly line-up, which includes pole dancers Max & Onyx on Tuesdays, gay meet night MrMr and Faux Fur's wheel of Fauxtune on Wednesdays, drag bingo and Karaoke Bare on Thursdays, and disco every Friday and Saturday.
The Gay Sydney News staff writers' account is used for stories written collaboratively by our newsroom team or contributed by multiple reporters. Articles published under this byline reflect the combined efforts of our journalists, editors, and contributors, bringing together diverse perspectives from across Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community.
