Established in 1982, the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is one of Edmonton's hottest summer events, drawing more than 160 different productions to 39 festival venues this year. Together they'll add up to over 1200 performances between August 12 and 22.
Types of Performances at the Edmonton Fringe
Being a theatre event, it's a given that there will be plenty of drama and comedy on hand at the Edmonton Fringe. Many shows will come with a twist, and alongside the traditional forms of theatre, expect plenty of improv, musical theatre, monologue, dance, general music and cabaret in the ticketed events. Outside on the Fringe grounds, an international cast of outdoor performers and buskers will be on hand to entertain.
Acts Returning to Edmonton's Fringe Festival
Many old favourites will return to wow audiences at this year's Fringe Festival. Among them are operatic spoof group The Pretenors, back with a 60-minute, family-friendly show, A Fistful of Tenors. Award-winning improv soap comedy troupe Die Nasty returns to shock and dazzle evening audiences nightly with its intricate storylines. And the people behind estrogen-fuelled The "L" Word, a smash at the 2008 Fringe, have taken a step down the alphabet and brought in their new work The "M" Word for 2010.
Edmonton Fringe Schedule and Map
The Fringe site itself is open from 10 a.m. to midnight daily, with shows running all day long. The full Edmonton Fringe festival schedule, showing plays and their times, is available online. A PDF map of the Old Strathcona festival site showing venue locations can be downloaded here; most of the action is concentrated around the park at 83 Avenue and 104 Street.
Parlour Magazine Photo Booth
This year's Fringe slogan is "We'll Show You Ours," and local fashion publication Parlour is getting in on the act with its very own photo booth. Find it on 85th Avenue; it'll feature a locally-designed 3-D set that's expertly staffed by local photographers.
Kid-Friendly Events at the Fringe
Families will find there's a lot to keep occupied with at the Fringe, starting with the KidsFringe stage, a storytelling area, an arts and crafts section stocked with recycled materials, face painting, puppets, games, and the list goes on. Kids 12 and under are welcome from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m during the week and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. over the weekend.
From August 13th to 15th, kids in the KidsFringe area will receive a free tree seedling courtesy of Alberta carbon-footprint offsetting organization The Carbon Farmer.
Tickets for the Edmonton Fringe Festival
Passes for the Fringe Festival sold out in record time, but tickets for individual plays are still available. They can be purchased online, over the phone (780-409-1910) or in person at the TransAlta Arts Barns Box Office, located at 10330-84th Avenue.
Public Transportation to the Edmonton Fringe
Bus routes 4, 7 and 106 travel along Whyte Avenue; the 52 also stops in the vicinity. Check ETS for times.
Source:
Fringe Theatre Adventures. Official website. 08.04.2010
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