Cabaret is a style of variety entertainment, typically including music, dance, comedy, and short theatrical pieces. The style is named after the venue in which it is performed, which is similar to a nightclub. Cabaret began in France around the turn of the 19th century, later flourishing in Germany and the United States. Some of the most famous early cabarets in France were the Chat Noir, the Moulin Rouge, and the Folies-Bergère, the last two of which are still in business. It was an immensely popular form of entertainment throughout the 19th century, sometimes featuring circus acts along with the more common musical and dance numbers. Elaborate costumes and stunning showgirls became staples of the genre, and performers such as Maurice Chevalier and Josephine Baker made their names through cabaret.
