A fringe festival is an open access performing arts festival meaning that there is no selection committee, and anyone may participate. The term comes from the world’s first festival of this kind, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, that was founded in 1947. In fringe festivals, all submissions are accepted. When a festival can only accommodate a limited number of participants, the participating acts may be chosen by lottery or on a first come, first served basis.
Although the world’s first fringe festival was held in Scotland’s Edinburgh, it took more than six decades to found an unjuried arts festival in the largest city of Scotland. The development of the Southside Fringe Festival began in 2011 and the first festival took place in May 2013. It was organized by burlesque star Corinna Currie and musician Crawford Smith. The program of the festival featured all types and genres of performing arts including music, theater, comedy, cabaret, burlesque, and more. Performances were held in a variety of local venues in South Side.
The Southside Fringe Festival has been growing ever since, attracting more performers and attendees each year. For example, the program of its 2015 edition featured over 170 shows in 41 venues across Glasgow. Also in 2015, the festival found its permanent home. Its headquarters are situated in Govanhill Baths, the city’s last surviving Edwardian public bathhouse. Since 2001, the building has been used as a venue for a variety of events, and the Southside Fringe Festival is now one of them.
The main goal of the festival is to introduce local audience to a variety of performing artists, both established performers and up-and-coming artists. Its program includes theater (with focus on theater that is experimental in style and subject matter), music, comedy, visual art, cabaret & spoken world, a variety of family events, and more. There’s something for everyone regardless of the age and background.
Photo: southsidefringe.org.uk
