Started in 1981, the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is the first and largest of its kind in North America, and it’s opening for the 29th year this Thursday, August 12, 2010 for 10 days of fringe, food, and fun for everyone in the family!
The Edmonton Fringe Festival – Where to Begin?
Two free events kick off the fringe festival every year in Edmonton, and both of them provide fun for the whole family. First, cheer on the annual Performers’ Parade, which starts on 85 Avenue and makes its way across the festival link before turning West on 84 Avenue, South on 104 Street, and East on 83 Avenue, where it ends in McIntyre Park. The parade begins on August 12 at 7:30pm and lasts about thirty minutes.
After the parade, stay for the Fringe Free For All, which starts at 8pm (until 10pm) on the outdoor stage. This year, the Free For All is hosted by improv veterans Rapid Fire Theatre, and it’s a chance to see a number of five-minute excerpts from a variety of fringe shows. Sitting in for the Free For All may be a good idea to help you select the shows you want to see during the festival – there’s over 150 to select from, after all!
The Edmonton Fringe Festival – August 12-22, 2010
With over 150 plays, 200 scheduled outdoor performances, buskers, vendors, and food from all corners of the world, there is a lot to see at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. If you like to plan ahead, you can purchase a fringe program for $6 either on site or at any of the following locations:
- Safeway (Edmonton and area).
- Audrey’s Books.
- Greenwoods’ Bookshoppe.
- TIX on the Square.
- The Wee Book Inn.
- The Edmonton Fringe Festival Website.
One of the most exciting things about the fringe, however, is the opportunity to wander around the grounds and meet the number of artists who are out promoting their shows. This is an excellent way to learn about what is showing, and it’s a great idea if you like spontaneity to peruse the crowds, meet the artists, and go to see whichever shows strike your fancy on the day of.
If you have some time to kill before or between your shows, sit in on the countless performances on the outdoor stage, or stroll the grounds and watch the variety of buskers – from live music to magic to death-defying stunts, you can see just about anything at the Edmonton Fringe!
The Edmonton Fringe Festival – Child Friendly Fun
In addition to the buskers and the outdoor stage, the Edmonton Fringe boasts an entire section devoted to its young fans: KidsFringe! Bring your children to watch performances in the KidStage tent, participate in puppetry, arts and crafts, storytelling, and so much more. There are special guests at KidsFringe everyday – plan ahead and bring them along to see everything from Fort Edmonton puppetry shows, the Edmonton Eskimo cheer team, or Kita No Taiko Japanese drumming!
The 29th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival runs from August 12-22, 2010, with events and performances on every day of the festival. Tickets are available on-site and online, or by calling the Fringe Theatre Adventures Box Office at (780) 409-1910. For more information, you can visit the official website here. Happy Fringing!
Andrea Beca - Andrea has a BA (distinction) in English and Creative Writing from the University of Alberta, and an MLitt (distinction) in Dramaturgy and ...
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