The roots of the Calgary Fringe Festival can be traced back to the Plan B Festival that took place in 2000. It was organized by a group of artists after the planned Calgary Fringe Festival had been canceled because of administrative issues. It featured a series events held in downtown Calgary and the neighborhood of Inglewood and attracted around 5,000 spectators over five days.
Inspired by the event’s success, the organizers held two more Fringe Festivals in 2001 and 2002. The three-day festivals were organized by the Loose Moose Theater company and took place the weekend after the Edmonton Fringe. Unfortunately, after the 2002 festival the company lost its venue and became unable to produce the event.
The revival of the Calgary Fringe began in 2005, when Canadian actor Blair Gallant participated in the production of The Rocky Horror Show at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival. He was so impressed by the festival’s sense of community and unique atmosphere that he decided to create a similar event in Calgary. With the help of Jason Rothery and the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals, Gallant organized a new Fringe in 2006.
The present-day Calgary Fringe Festival is a 10-day performing arts festival held in late July and early August. It sometimes overlaps with the PotashCorp Fringe in Saskatoon and Edmonton Fringe, which gives some shows an opportunity to perform at several Fringes.
Calgary Fringe is guided by the same key principles as other fringe theater festivals. It is an unjuried and uncensored event that gives 100% of the ticket revenue back to the participating artists. The Calgary Fringe Festival is a not-for-profit event funded by sponsors and donations.
The program of the festival encompasses theater, music, dance, cinema, circus, visual arts, street performances (busking) and other kinds, forms and genres of art. Performances take place in a number of venues across Calgary, including Calgary Opera, Arts Commons (an arts center in downtown Calgary), the fellowship hall and sanctuary of the Lantern Church, and others. Most venues are within walking distance.
Photo: calgaryfringe.ca
