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Well ... basically ... it's a festival celebrating un-censored, un-filtered art ... THAT'S IT! The original Fringe Fest started in Edinburgh, Scotland and from there it caught on like wild-fire all over the world. For those wondering how to begin fringing, check out the links to the left. That way if someone asks you "DO YOU FRINGE?", you'll at least know what the heck they're talking about!
So, you wanna be an artist in the 2010 Fringe ...
(Final Application Deadline: April 1st, 2010)
(Final Application Deadline: April 1st, 2010)
(Final Application Deadline: Friday, May 1st, 2010)
Kansas City, Minnesota, Indianapolis, Chicago festivals announce unified touring application for performing artists
KANSAS CITY, MO - Fringe festivals in four Midwestern cities recently announced a touring lottery for artists to perform in Fringes throughout the summer. Kansas City Fringe Festival, Minnesota Fringe Festival, Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival and Chicago Fringe Festival are the participating organizations.
Two available tour slots will be drawn at a public lottery to take place in Minneapolis on Jan. 8, 2010. Selected producers are awarded standard performance slots in each of the four festivals.
Applications are available starting Mon., Nov. 16 at http://fringefestivals.us/midwest.php. The application deadline is Fri., Dec. 31, 2009.
Although rules vary slightly among the four festivals, the core idea of a Fringe remains the same: An uncensored, easily accessible, rapid-fire performing arts festival that minimizes the financial investment artists and audiences must make to participate. The 2010 circuit starts in Kansas City on July 25 and ends in Chicago on Sept. 5.
This marks the first Fringe touring application within the United States. Festivals associated with the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals have had a touring application for many years.
Participants' production fees for each festival range from $225 to $500, depending on number of performances requested and technical requirements. A majority - 65 to 100 percent - of box office receipts are returned to individual producers, depending on box office performance and festival rules. For audiences, top ticket prices range from just $10-12.
Minnesota Fringe, the oldest of the four, celebrates its 17th anniversary in 2010. Both the Kansas City and Indianapolis Fringes were founded in 2005, and 2010 is Chicago Fringe's inaugural year.
In 2009, nearly 65,000 tickets were distributed to over 1,300 individual performances at the Minnesota, Kansas City and Indianapolis festivals.
The Midwestern Fringes represent four of a growing number of U.S.-based Fringe festivals. In 2010, over 20 such festivals are expected to take place in the United States, from New York to Orlando to Hollywood. A full calendar of all U.S. Fringes and more details about the Fringe movement in the United States is at fringefestivals.us.
About the festivals
Kansas City Fringe Festival
Kansas City, Mo.: July 25-Aug. 1, 2010
In 2009: 53 companies, 17 venues, 6,250+ tickets
More information at kcfringe.org
Minnesota Fringe Festival
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.: Aug. 5-15, 2010
In 2009: 162 companies, 22 venues, 46,000+ tickets
More information at fringefestival.org
Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival
Indianapolis, Ind.: Aug. 19-29, 2010
In 2009: 52 companies, 6 venues, 12,000 tickets
More information at indyfringe.org
Chicago Fringe Festival
Chicago, Ill.: Sept. 1-5, 2010
2010 is Chicago Fringe's inaugural year
More information at chicagofringe.org