The Philadelphia Fringe Festival, an expansive celebration featuring a staggering 1,197 performances across 96 locations, is set to showcase an impressive array of talent this September. With 340 distinct shows and a record 129 new participants, including dancers, clowns, and actors, the festival invites audiences to embrace its vast offerings without feeling overwhelmed.
To counteract potential feelings of confusion among attendees, the festival organizers are focusing on fostering connections between audience members and artists. ‘We’re looking for places to build relationships,’ stated Nell Bang-Jensen, the festival’s new chief executive and producing director.
One innovative approach this year is the Tour De Fringe, a unique experience offered on each of the four Saturdays of the festival—September 6, 13, 20, and 27. Participants will be accompanied by a Fringe Festival staff member to enjoy dinner, see three shows, and engage in discussions about the performances. Bang-Jensen emphasized the importance of personal touchpoints, stating, ‘Having a group to travel with and walk you through it and talk about it makes it more accessible.’ The cost for this experience is $225 in advance and $275 after August 25.
Additionally, the Cannonball—a segment of the Fringe Festival—offers a lighter option for audience engagement. Participants can sign up for a platonic blind date, inclusive of tickets to a show, a drink voucher, and a discussion guide about the performances.
The festival will also include workshops presented by all eight headline artists in its curated section. Bang-Jensen expressed her belief that these talented artists should not simply present their works and leave. For instance, Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips will share insights into the magic and sleight-of-hand techniques used in his show ‘Around the World in 80 Toys,’ which draws inspiration from Georges Méliès, a pioneer of filmmaking and special effects.
The creators of ‘asses.masses,’ a 7.5-hour blend of theater and video gaming, are also set to discuss the intricacies of transforming video gaming into an engaging theatrical event that emphasizes audience participation. In addressing this, Bang-Jensen noted the festival’s abundance of immersive works that invite audience interaction, hence bridging the gap between performer and viewer. ‘A lot of the artists are playing with the audience,’ she remarked. ‘It’s about blurring the lines between audience and artist.’
An example of this interaction can be seen in ‘Dambudzo,’ where audiences are invited to wander an environment designed to replicate a Zimbabwean shabani, or informal bar, moving among various characters like musicians, revolutionaries, and tricksters. The title of the performance, which resonates with meanings of ‘trouble,’ reflects the thematic depth influenced by the ideas of African philosopher Dambudzo Marechera.
On the more secluded side, a unique offering is ‘Spiritual Experience,’ a private performance held in a secret location for just two guests. One ticket, priced at $200, secures the intimate encounter without audience involvement, enticing those interested in an exclusive experience.
Capping off the festival nights will be performances from the Bearded Ladies Cabaret. The Fringe festivities will conclude with late-night shows titled ‘The Layaway,’ taking place in the historic Wanamaker’s building on September 13, 20, and 27. The event will showcase singing, dancing, and orchestral performances from various artists.
Among these lively entertainment options, Opera Philadelphia is set to host ‘Pipe Up’ on September 7 at 1 p.m. This free event will involve singers and dancers from the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus but requires prior registration.
Running from September 4 to 28, the Fringe Festival embraces a myriad of subsidiary festivals, often referred to as hubs. Attendees may hear terms like Cannonball Festival, Circus Campus Presents, Studio 34, Sawubona Creativity Project, or Dumb Hub. Though these hubs independently organize artists, all bookings will be facilitated through the FringeArts website, keeping everything streamlined for prospective audiences.
To navigate the vast options available at the Fringe Festival, here are some helpful tips for audience members:
1. **Try a preview.** The Fringe building at Race Street and Columbus Boulevard will host Monday previews throughout August, offering a glimpse into some circus acts, comedy, dance, and theater, all accompanied by a bar.
2. **Decide by date.** Determine which day works best for you, and explore the available performances via the Fringe website or the printed 56-page program. For instance, on Saturday, September 6, there will be 85 different shows available. Start early to catch ‘The Sokka Experiment’ at 10 a.m., where visual artist Sokka will create sculptures from trash. Later in the day, consider attending ‘Mon Carton/My Cardboard Box,’ an accessibly designed nonverbal show aimed at the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
3. **Decide by genre.** If you’re particularly interested in dance, you can easily filter your search to reveal 77 dance performances. For example, on September 13, there are various dance options, including Kayt MacMaster’s intriguing show titled ‘hog ranch, hogwash, or putting lipstick on a pig,’ which engages with American myths through dance, theater, and puppetry. Consider also the community-focused performance ‘Dame La Receta’ by the Carne Viva Dance troupe, showcasing their collaborative spirit.
4. **Pick by theme.** With the nation approaching its 250th birthday, an array of historical-themed performances awaits. By selecting ‘Historical’ from the dropdown menu, attendees can explore 53 historical options, narrowing down further by date. Highlights for September 13 include ‘Ben Franklin Sex Party’ by Sarah Knittel and a reading of the 1767 play ‘Prince of Parthia’ at Carpenters’ Hall.
5. **Rely on picks from the pros.** Both the Fringe and Cannonball festivals offer curated selections of works that have gained acclaim globally. Check the Fringe Arts Presents section for recommendations from festival organizers and visit Cannonballfestival.org for expert picks of their selected shows.
6. **Have fun and do something unexpected.** This is the festival’s underlying ethos—venture outside your comfort zone by selecting performances that differ from your usual interests. Embrace the spirit of the Fringe!
With a plethora of performances to choose from, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival promises to be an immersive and unforgettable experience for all audiences. As the festival unfolds throughout September, attendees will have the opportunity not only to witness remarkable artistry but also to forge new connections, both with artists and fellow performance enthusiasts.
image source from：billypenn
