California State University, Monterey Bay - Black Box Cabaret

Black Box Cabaret

The Black Box Cabaret (BBC) has been the home of student expression since the birth of CSUMB. It opened in 1996, when business students (from the student organization BO$$), faculty and staff took a military building, originally put up temporarily, and created the BBC, a place for students and the community to express themselves.

In 2000, the BBC was shut down when it failed to comply with ADA regulations. With no plans to re-open the BBC, the students took it upon themselves and shouted "Our Box! Our choice!" 350 students and community members marched, chanted and rallied to save the building.

Students approved a $40 per year student fee (with a 5% increase every 5 years) to fund the BBC's $1,066,146 renovation, ensuring the Box would re-open. Summer 2001 saw the beginning of renovation and February 2002 saw the re-opening of the Black Box Cabaret. In Fall 2009, the Box's renovation debts will be paid off, and be under the full control of the Otter Student Union via CSUMB's Associated Students. In the 2009–2010 academic year the BBC was closed again. Events are still hosted there, but it is no longer a place to dine.

Since its original opening, the BBC has showcased student visual, theatrical and musical art. It offers food, drink and alcohol. One semesterly event that is always hosted at the BBC is called "TAPS" (Teledramatic Arts Presentation Showcase), in which students watch submitted short films made throughout the semester.

Interestingly, the Black Box Cabaret was the site of the first known public performance by the experimental rap group, and the last known public performance by Japanese Rock Group Guitar Wolf before their original bassist Bass Wolf died in 2005. It was also the only known venue for a live performance by the Mongolian-Congolese jam band 'The Thesaurus'.