A group at the heart of the “Neo-cabaret phenomenon” will perform at the Centre for the Arts this month.

Vagabond Opera bills itself as a mixture of “Paris hot jazz, gut bucket swing, tangos, Ukrainian folk-punk ballads…and the enigmatic Marlene Dietrich.” The Portland, Ore. group will perform at the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre Jan. 28.

Described as a “lusty and gritty cabaret of liberated opera,” Vagabond Opera has released three albums. The group was founded in 2002 by opera singer and composer Eric Stern, who grew frustrated with the opera world’s half-hearted attempts to reach new audiences.

“I wanted to connect with my peers, and thought ‘Why can’t there be another context for opera? And different instruments played?’” Stern told straight.com in November. “I realized there was no reason to stay within the established confines.”

The band’s lineup includes operator vocals, accordion, tenor saxophone, two cellos and a stand-up bass. Inspirations, says the band’s bio, include Kurt Well, Duke Ellington and Edith Piaf.

Tickets are $41, or $20 for post-secondary students and $5 for high school students. The show is at 7:30 p.m.

The Centre for the Arts will also present Coleman Lemieux and Compagnie: In Paradisum on Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Centre for the Arts box office:
905.688.5550 x3257
Toll free: 1-866-617-3257
Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m