FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026

RÉVÉLER CABARET: FUNK EDITION

featuring a tribute to BETTY DAVIS by SAM REED

RÉVÉLER CABARET: FUNK EDITION
Photo: Betty Davis, Circa 1973, Photo by Mel Dixon

Miles Davis said of his ex-wife Betty: "Madonna before Madonna. Prince before Prince." Experience an evening both funky and strange in all the right ways (talk about it, talk about it)! Révéler presents a magical, intoxicating cabaret show packed with exceptional performers and wild surprises.

This edition edition of the cabaret features a powerhouse tribute The Queen of Funk and freedom, Betty Davis. A trailblazer in sound, fusing blues phrasing with funk cadence, Davis broke the molds of feminine presentation and performance in music. Candid, some may say vulgar, lyrics, sexy style, and raunchy gritty vocals created a cult following that lives on today. This special full band performance celebrates Davis's legacy: the essence of feminine liberation.

Band leader Sam Reed’s soulful, honest voice has settled well into genres such as r&b, rock, gospel, jazz, funk, and hip hop over the years. This versatility comes naturally but also spawns from a love of the history and stories of women who have offered so much to the music industry like Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Sharon Jones, and Betty Davis. Sam makes it a point to carefully curate shows to keep the stories of women alive. It is in keeping with this duty that Sam Reed tells her own stories through song. Her album This Is Love produced by DJ Harrison continues to resonate as she builds her catalogue of uplifting, soothing, healing, loving, but also in your face and funky, sounds. Sam Reed is often recognized as the lead vocalist of Dance Candy, No BS! Brass and RVA classics the Photosynthesizers, as well background vocalist with music festival favorites Keller Williams Grateful Gospel. The band includes: Calvin Brown (keys); Steven Boone (guitar); Josh Hawkins (drums); Gabe Santamaria (bass); Anthony Cosby (vocals); and Buttafly (vocals).

The show is emceed by QING BLAZE (Style Weekly's Best of Richmond, 2025) a powerhouse performer who challenges the boundaries of burlesque and drag. Based in Richmond, Virginia, Qing Blaze rules his stage with sensual story telling and a love for classic R&B and soul music while creating a unique blend of draglesque. Inspired by kings of the past like Stormé DeLarverie and Gladys Bentley, Qing is the embodiment of gender-bending royalty. Qing is one of the four founding members of the Nu Rodeo Caldonia, a queer POC performance art collective based in Richmond, Virginia. You can catch him humping stages all across the DMV area and beyond.

The show also features sets from a cast of incredible variety and burlesque performers.

With only 100 seats, shows at Révéler are intimate and immersive. A romantic venue with exquisite sound and dreamy vibes, Révéler offers a unique selection of cocktails, wines, beers, bubbles, and non-alcoholic beverages. Our kitchen delivers small plates and dinner crafted with care.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR JAM SESSIONS

BE COOL // OMP is the place for peace, love, support and kindness. Critique must be requested.

LISTEN // Be mindful of what other players are doing. Be mindful of dynamics. It's OK to not play - music needs silence, too.

COURAGE // The good stuff is beyond your comfort zone. Make mistakes. See rule #1.

BUY TICKETSBUY TICKETS

SHOW NOTES

Admission: $35

Pre-show specials: 5:00pm

Show: 8:00pm - 10:30pm

21+ only, please.

Reserved seating.

LOCATION

3108 W Cary St
Richmond, VA 23221
804-918-5681