38th Winnipeg Fringe Festival hopes to lure in audiences with eclectic mix of local, international performers
Annual festival runs July 16-27, including array of free public shows at Old Market Square
An annual citywide theatre showcase is back and promises to make Winnipeg audiences laugh, cry, groove and everything in between.
The 38th annual Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival kicked off Wednesday with this year's theme being "Choose Your Own Fringe Adventure."
"We always say, 'Take a risk,' see something that you think you might be interested [in] but you haven't heard too much about," said festival manager Tori Popp.
"Fringe is an adventure. It's an adventure about having fun and seeing something new and experiencing the festival and Winnipeg in the summer."
Every year, hundreds of performing artists from across Canada and abroad take over stages at venues throughout Winnipeg's downtown core for the 12-day event. Festival-goers can enjoy a bevvy of drink and food vendors before and after taking in shows.
In addition to the eclectic mix of plays and performances happening for paying audiences, there are also free street performances including fire breathing, circus and gymnastics shows.
Old Market Square in the Exchange District will host a range of free performances.
"You can come down and enjoy bands on the stage or acts or hosts or folks plugging their shows, maybe hear about something you're interested in," said Popp.
"If you're new to the city, and you haven't been around too much, come on down to Old Market Square and this will be like your foray in the Fringe."
What's commonly known simply as "Fringe" was founded by the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in 1988. It is the second-largest fringe festival on the continent, according to the festival.
It takes more than 700 volunteers to operate the festival, and about 80,000 tickets are sold on average each year. You can purchase tickets at 174 Market Ave. and online.
All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to performers, said Popp.
"That's what Fringe is all about," said Popp.
The final day of Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival programming is Sunday, July 27.
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With files from Felisha Adam