What's the FRINGE?
The Canadian FRINGE Festivals® are built on four principles:
1) No Artistic Direction. Artists are selected by lottery.
2) No Censorship. Artists have complete freedom to present ANYTHING.
3) Accessibility to artists. Anyone can apply to the lottery.
4) Accessibility to audience. Ticket prices are kept low and 100% of the ticket price is returned to the artists you see on stage.
For more detailed information, please visit the CAFF website.
A Few Stats & Facts
In 1947, a number of artists who felt excluded from the first Edinburgh International Festival decided to do their shows anyway - at the exact same time. Within a few years, journalists began referring to these shows as the “Festival Fringe” - and an international movement was born!
The first Canadian Fringe Festival was held in Edmonton in 1983; since then, more than 30 Fringe Festivals have sprung up all across Canada and the United States. Most of these are members of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals, CAFF.
In Montreal, it was started in 1991 by Kris Kieran and Nick Morra, and took place on and around St-Laurent Boulevard. In 1996, Jeremy Hechtman became producer of the festival, and the Fringe became one of the Plateau-Mile-End's largest cultural events. This year, under Amy Blackmore's direction, the Montréal Fringe Festival will offer more than 700 performances, involving more than 100 theatre, music and dance companies.
The Saguenay FRINGE Festival is a 2011 novelty that will be presented in the Chicoutimi borough. It's from the desire to offer to the region's talents an open-minded platform as well as give other artists in the province of Québec, the country and the world an opportunity to present their creation in the marvelous Saguenay region. At the same time, it gives the opportunity to the local population (as well as artists and arts lovers) the opportunity to see theses uncensored prestations. Friends and colleagues of the Saguenay artistic community, it's with great honnor that Sylvain Deschênes, Audrey Lefebvre and Yannick Denis-Trudel delivers to you this first edition with the help and support of a seasoned and enthusiastic team.
For its first edition, the Saguenay FRINGE Festival has presented 64 performances by 21 artists produced, a free programming at the FRINGE Park, a late night variety show, The after FRINGE and 4 exhibitions. These numbers will be adjusted according to public demand in the coming years.
The Saguenay FRINGE Festival is the first FRINGE in North America to move in a predominantly French-speaking environment (without restricting to French benefits that are presented).
The FRINGE will be up there...
Want to join us?
Visit "Artists Application"
