Women In Voice is a Brisbane institution. A celebration of the extraordinary talent and creativity of the female singers and artists residing in the city. Founded in 1996, by the incredible Annie Petersen, for nearly 30 years Women in Voice (WiV) has presented a superb selection of Brisbane's best female vocalists, in cabaret.

From early beginnings, with intimate shows at The Sitting Duck Cafe in West End (where Alison St Ledger soared on a grapefruit moon), WiV has become much loved-event on the Brisbane performance calendar. Evolving into a full, major theatre production, WiV casts have graced the stages of The Princess Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse, The Old Museum and the QPCA Playhouse Theatre. Supported by a supreme band featuring some of Brisbane’s most highly regarded musicians, the WiV women could explore, be creative and evolve. Young singers were embraced and mentored. Renowned cabaret singers and theatre artists, expanded their catalogue of characters. Vocalists were given the opportunity to step beyond singing, into the realm of theatre making.

As a young teenager, I saw my first WiV performance at The Sitting Duck - yes, the grapefruit moon. My WiV memories are often marked by the next Alison St Ledger instalment - the ‘Major Tom David’ Bowie set, absolutely changed my world. So too, the talents of so many other women - Christine Johnston, Carita Farrer, Pearly Black, Leah Cotterell, Kate Miller-Heidke, Annie Peterson, Katie Noonan, Carol Lloyd, Kristin Berardi, Lil’Fi, Anje West, Barbara Fordham …. and the list goes on and on and on. When WiV first started inviting national artists, once they moved to the QPAC stage, I was first introduced to the sublime and stunning Zulya, a moment I will cherish always.

I was a rookie when I joined the cast for WIV 12 at the Playhouse Theatre (QPAC). Christine Johnston became a cardboard doll singing Nina Hagen. Justine Elliot glided across the stage like the love-child of Lucy Ball and Ginger Rogers. Carol Lloyd brought the house down with Led Zepplin and Lil’Fi kept everyone grounded and real, and shared her incredible warmth right to the back row. Alison St Ledger was Alison - always extraordinary and mesmerising. And Deborah Conway brought all the Australian diva legacy and elegance to the stage. It was terrifying and it was wonderful. And I learnt SO MUCH! From the stage managers, from the sound engineer, from the musicians, and from the women. I can remember being completely out of my body the entire time, just managing to hold it all together. Christine had to show me how to put on stage make-up. I still have the dress I wore. I still sing like a magpie. It was delightful to meet Deborah’s daughters when they came backstage for a visit. And I will be forever grateful for recently discovering a recording of one of the performances. My attempt at bringing the joy of Tuck & Patti to the Brisbane audience, and interpreting the music of one of my great idols - Portuguese jazz vocalist, Maria Joao - is embedded above …. I can remember thinking that I needed to present the superlative jazz musicians in the band with something they could sink their teeth into. What was I thinking? This, was Women In Voice.

Many years and many instalments later, the opportunity to join the cast of Women In Voice 19 and take it on tour … The moment had finally come to tackle Barbra Streisand. What an incredible joy and privilege to once again share the stage with these extraordinary women: Lil’Fi (in all her fringed and feathered glory), Leah Cotterell, Lauren Lucille, Alison St Ledger and Melissa Western.Always with the never ending support and encouragement of Annie Petersen and Angie Dunbavan.

Women In Voice has supported, mentored and offered a platform for Queensland vocalists, impacting generations of singers in the city. It has provided the most incredible opportunity for all of us to step outside our comfort zones, connect with the WIV audience and loyal fanbase, as well as connect as singers and artists to the other incredible members of this thriving community.

May WIV continue on forever! I am eternally grateful for having had the opportunity to be a small part of its incredible contribution to Queensland arts and performance, and the celebrating of women.

Kacey xo