Cabaret Fur Le Dance

The Cabaret Fur Le Dance is a variety show that raised money for various charities that was a part of the programming at ConFurence from CF3 (1992) to the final ConFurence (2003) and has been a part of the programming of Califur from Califur 0 to current. The cabaret was one of the signature events of ConFurence, and though other furry conventions have variety shows, the cabaret remains a ConFurence "original". Cabaret has been passed on to Califur, the daughter convention of ConFurence. The show includes many erotic/modern dance numbers with single female or male dancers, couples or small groups. The style of the dances includes Flash-Dance style stripping, belly dancing, sword dancing, and modern ballet. In addition to the dancing, there are musical acts and comedy sketches. making Cabaret a bit of Vaudeville as well as a Cabaret event. Typically the shows were for adults only, but some of the shows at ConFurence Cabaret was split into two halves, the first being for all ages while the second for adult.

The first cabaret was a one-woman show at ConFurence 3 (1992) that starred Omaha Sternberg, an erotic dancer who based her look and performance on the main character from the Omaha the Cat Dancer comic, created by Reed Waller. The show was a benefit for Mr. Waller, who had undergone treatment for cancer and needed financial assistance. The show became an annual event at ConFurence conventions, becoming the Cabaret Fur Le Dance at ConFurence 4 (1993).

The name Fur Le Dance was the creation of Rod O'Riley, and was based on a story idea that revolved around a night club where a group of recoms, created by a secret military project and eventually released after a media scandal, performed artistic nude and erotic dances as entertainment for a human audience (much like the Ink and Paint Club in Who Framed Roger Rabbit). Fur le Dance (a pun on 'fer de lance', a type of spearhead and also a species of snake) is the name for both the nightclub and the troup that performed there. The troup consisted of Foster T. Reynard (fox), Rollo and Shayla Deluta (a mated pair of river otters), Morocco Jihad (calico cat), and Arthur Lotus (raccoon), who is Foster's lover.

The Cabaret Fur Le Dance also exists in the virtual world of FurryMUCK, where Rodney and other players "perform" dance numbers and other act for players that come to the show, often on Wednesday nights.