The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival has been a staple in our city for over two decades. This year, celebrating its silver anniversary with 25 years in existence, the Fringe promises to be unlike any year previous.
Over 100 performers, media, and Winnipeggers gathered at the Tom Hendry Warehouse Wednesday July 11 for the official launch of the 2012 Fringe Festival.
The event kicked off with a loud round of applause and an address from festival executive producer, Chuck McEwan.
“A week from now,” he said, “172 companies from here at home and around the world are going to take over downtown Winnipeg for 12 days of artistic experimentation.”
There’s something for everyone at the Fringe, he said.
“There’s comedy to tickle your funny bone, drama to pull at your heartstrings, improv to keep you guessing, musicals to keep your toes tapping, dance, storytelling, and more.”
McEwan added that wandering through the festival grounds is an adventure in itself – there are street performers, vendor booths, lunch with the downtown BIZ, a beer tent, and more.
The launch featured two companies: Birdmann, an Australian performer who performed a lip-synched dance to “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and two-man band The Secondhandpants that sang “My baby’s got ESP.”
After the short program was over, everyone moved into the foyer for some refreshments. The media conducted interviews and performers walked around in character.
The Winnipeg Fringe Festival will take place in and around downtown Winnipeg July 18-29, 2012. For more details and performance locations and times, head to www.winnipegfringe.com.
For a taste of the Fringe launch, take a look:
