The Cabaret South Beach evicted from space downstairs at erotic art museum

Don’t come to The Cabaret.

Edison Farrow’s The Cabaret South Beach, a musical nightclub since November 2013, has been evicted from space downstairs at the World Erotic Art Museum building.

The Cabaret, which signed a five-year lease in October 2013, owes landlord PANN Florida $18,288 since May, according to a complaint filed June 19 in Miami-Dade County Court. Monthly rent on the space is $8,500, plus $598 sales tax and $46 maintenance.

About 8 p.m. Wednesday, Farrow posted the news on Facebook. “We are sad to report that the landlord is no longer willing to accept our rent payments. They have filed for our eviction. ... This is another horrible loss for the Miami Beach community.”

Farrow also posted a photo of the Miami-Dade County eviction notice: “Florida Statutes direct that this final 24 hour notice of eviction be posted. If these premises are not vacated, the Court Services Bureau of the Miami-Dade Police Department is required to remove all persons from the premises.”

Farrow and business partner Ed DeCaso opened The Cabaret on Nov. 28, 2013, at 233 12th St., in empty space below the erotic art museum on Washington Avenue. Eventually, Farrow doubled the size of the nightclub to about 120 seats.

Naomi Wilzig, who owned the building and museum, died in April at age 80. Farrow posted on Facebook that Wilzig’s adult children now “want The Cabaret out.”

The Miami Herald has sought comment from Wilzig’s children, Ivan and Alan, and their Miami Beach law firm, Robert L. Switkes & Associates, but did not get a response as of Thursday afternoon.

According to the complaint, the Wilzigs are also demanding that Farrow pay the balance of the remaining 39 months on the lease — $356,616.

Since its expansion, The Cabaret hosted well-known entertainers, including New York nightclub stars Billy Stritch and Jim Caruso; Leslie Jordan, the Emmy-winning guest star on TV’s Will & Grace; and Charles Busch, a world-famous drag star and playwright.

“This is terrible,” Busch posted Thursday on Facebook. “The Cabaret was a wonderful venue. I have absolute faith that Edison Farrow will find an even better space. He’s the real deal.”

Tony-winning Broadway performer Levi Kreis was scheduled to sing at the Cabaret on July 31.

“Guys! I'm sorry to say that ‪#Miami‬ performance is cancelled as the venue has closed. They will be issuing refunds this week for ticket buyers. I’ll be working on another date this year. Promise. Love you guys!” Kreis posted Wednesday night on Facebook.

Other social media reaction came swiftly from Farrow’s employees and friends.

“Nooooooooooo,” posted Caberet singer/server EnVee. “There HAS to be something we can do. We know miami beach commissioners and important people in the community, something can be done. I don’t know what, but isn’t there something? Anyone? I can't belive this. This is Our Home. This can’t happen!”

“I’m numb. Shock!” posted Miami Beach activist Dale Penn. “Edison, you know, you have done so much good in SoBE, this just isn't fair. Argh!!!”

From concert director Richard Jay-Alexander of Miami Beach: “This is truly sad to me. I know this was your dream, Edison. So many people will be affected by this ... past and present. I’m speechless that it came to this.”

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 9:54 AM with the headline "The Cabaret South Beach evicted from space downstairs at erotic art museum."