6 reasons you should travel to a Fringe Festival

For two weeks every July for the past 27 years, theatre companies from across Canada and around the world converge at the geographic centre of North America for the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival. This year will see 180 companies perform more than 175 shows ranging from the ridiculous to the holly-cow-that-was deep. If you like theatre, here are 6 reasons you should travel to a Fringe Festival.

There are dozens of fringe festivals in various parts of the world including the granddaddy of them all, The Edinburgh Fringe, which according to my ever-reliable friend, Wikipedia, started in 1947.

My hometown of Winnipeg has a deep arts scene. Many attribute this to our extremely cold winters which make it necessary to entertain ourselves and each other in order to stay warm and to avoid freezing our exposed skin outdoors. The Winnipeg Fringe is now the second largest fringe in North America, second only to Edmonton’s—another cold winter city. Hmmm … maybe that theory has something to it.

Anyway, I’m sure we’ll pull ahead of Edmonton this year (I say that every year). The Winnipeg Fest is just heading into its final weekend and the outdoor stage is pretty much outside my front door and the crowds are looking pretty big to me.

So, here are my top 6 reasons you should take in a fringe festival. If not in Winnipeg (why wouldn’t you go to the soon-to-be-biggest fringe in North America?) somewhere else.

1. Low investment with huge entertainment value

Shows range in price from $5 – $10 CAD and are all one hour or under in time. Even if you see a stinker, you won’t have to endure it for long and it won’t break the bank. You can further economize by getting a Fringe pass to see multiple shows.

2. Truly joyful atmosphere

Everyone is happy at the Fringe, particularly in the beer tent where people discuss shows, meet up with friends and fellow performers and enjoy a few cool ones together.

3. Interact directly with the actors

Actors are everywhere. You may be watching someone on stage one minute and running into them on the street the next as they hand you a postcard promoting their show. You have the chance actually talk to them about their performance. It’s kind of cool.

Show promoters canvass festival goers in line for other shows.

4. Memorable experience – for better or for worse

I once saw a show, which a couple of our friends chose, and it was the craziest, weirdest, most awkward show I’ve ever seen. Oh, and it was BAD. However, each year the Fringe rolls around we remember that performance and laugh, shake our heads and quote its incredibly bad dialogue. It’s become tradition. I’ve also seen shows that have practically brought me to tears (in a good way) and I’m a real hard-ass generally.

You never know what kind of characters you’ll meet on the street at a Fringe Festival.

5. Easy to meet people

If you’re looking for a romantic partner (or a quick hook up, let’s be honest) there is no better place. You have an instant conversation-starter. “Have you seen any good shows?” Everyone is friendly and open and many a conversation starts when you are in line to buy tickets or waiting to get into a venue.

Before we met, Steve was a regular volunteer at the Fringe.  He admits that in his 20s he did this primarily to meet pretty girls rather than to support the arts.

What festival goer could resist the charms of this 20-something volunteer?

6. You might see the next big thing

The Tony award-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone got its start as a Fringe show in Toronto as did Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead in Edinburgh. Who knows? You could be part of the birthing ground of the next big hit!

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