A performer from the 2019 Nanaimo Fringe Festival, before the festival had to go online due to the pandemic the following year.(Nanaimo Fringe Festival Facebook Page)

By Jordan Davidson

show must go on

‘The artist is unrestrained:’ Nanaimo Fringe Festival underway

Aug 13, 2022 | 9:24 AM

NANAIMO — The 12th annual Fringe Festival is back.

The annual arts festival dedicated to performances of all kinds will be setting up shop at venues around the downtown until Aug. 21, including Gallery Row off FItzwilliam St. and the Port Theatre.

Artistic managing producer Bryony Dixon said the festival is all about supporting the artists and allowing them total creative freedom.

“Festival producers have no say in the artistic content, they’re completely uncensored. The artistic freedom of the artist is unrestrained.”

All of the box office revenue goes directly to the artists who perform.

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Dixon said they use a random lottery draw to pick the performers in March to ensure the selection process is fair and equal.

“This year we have six local artist groups, and we have three national touring artists, one from Toronto, one from Winnipeg, and one from Vancouver, and we have two international artists as well both from the States.”

A one-time $5 purchase of a Fringe button will get you access to the festival, with each show only costing $12.

“We have four venues this year. One is the Port Theatre, we have the main stage, in the lobby we also have a stage, we have an outdoor stage in Gallery Row which is in the Old City Quarter. There’s also a beer garden there, and the last venue is the OV Arts Centre, which is also downtown.”

There are 11 shows in total, with each performing at least six times.

Dixon told NanaimoNewsNOW being inclusive and welcoming to people from all walks of life is what draws a lot of people to Fringe Fest.

“We’re living in quite interesting times and I think the uncensored nature of this festival, when we talk about inclusivity we’re really incorporating diverse people, diverse world views and perspectives. I think it’s a really valuable platform for that, and I think people are keen to come out and support it for that reason.”

Their free preview night took place on Thursday, Aug. 11 and was sold out days in advance.

Final preparations for the shows took a set back on Friday, with their storage container along Fitzwilliam St. broken into. Around $7,000 in rented sound and lighting gear was stolen.

Fringe Festival is modelled after the popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe which has taken place since the 1940’s and spans the entire month of August.

Tickets can be purchased at the Port Theatre online or in-person. More information can be found at nanaimofringe.com.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow