NEXT CABARET
CABARET: The Dancing Djinn - Pride Edition
Monday, August 4, 2026 · Cabaret Lion d'Or, Montréal
CABARET DESCRIPTION
A Lebanese & Queer MUSICAL THEATRE Cabaret, reminiscent of the classic Parisian 1920's cabarets.
Presented by Lebanese drag artists Nikotine (live vocalist) and Samara (bellydancer), centered around uncovering the secret legacy of medieval Arabia's third-gender: The Mukahnnathun.
As Nikotine sets out into the desert, the DJINN in her lamp breaks free and seduces her: Samara! Full of secrets, she whispers to Nikotine legends of Queerabia, and leads her to an oasis far away.
An anti-colonial Aladdin, THE DANCING DJINN mixes original live music (Arabic, English), theatre (monologues, comedy, crowd work) and Baladi dance (bellydance, jazz, burlesque) in a dazzling 2-person original musical extravaganza.
LENGTH: 1.5 HOURS (20 min intermission)
GENRE: Cabaret, musical theatre, drag, live music, baladi (bellydance), comedy/drama
GENRE: Cabaret, musical theatre, drag, live music, baladi (bellydance), comedy/drama
VIDEO GALLERY
Lamma Bada Yatathanna · لمّا بدا يتثنّى
One of the oldest surviving songs in the Arabic musical canon - a 13th-century Andalusian muwashshah from the courts where the Mukhannathun performed. In Nikotine and Samara's hands, it becomes a reclamation: ancient, queer, and entirely alive.
Live from Toronto, 2025.
SWAY
Michael Bublé sang it in a tuxedo. Nikotine sings it to Samara, who makes her bend like a flower in the breeze.
Live from Montreal, 2026.
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
The Frankie Valli classic - reimagined in Arabic and English on a Canadian stage. Beirut.com described the performance as giving the song "a completely new life" after going viral.
Live from Toronto, 2026.
PAST SHOWS
The Dancing Djinn has sold out venues across Canada. One audience member drove fourteen hours from Halifax to Montréal for the show.
February 2026, Cabaret Lion d'Or - Montréal, QC
September 2025 - Lula Lounge - Toronto, ON
August 2025 - Café Cléopâtre - Montréal, QC
January 2025 - Kawalees - Montréal, QC
BOOKING
For venue bookings and performance enquiries:
nikotinemusiccontact@gmail.com