2023 CALGARY FRINGE FESTIVAL:
The Calgary Fringe considers itself a “Boutique Fringe Festival” – it’s for a small group of people, exclusive, particular, not for all tastes. Boutique Festivals are aimed at a much smaller public. No ultra-crowded places where not even a pin fits. Spaces where people can move and feel free and comfortable. Boutique Festivals are usually located in smaller but privileged places. They are usually cozy corners within a neighbourhood, and would include performance spaces like coffee shops, outdoor parks, dance halls, churches, and wine cellars. A Boutique Fringe Festival provides a true escape from the stress of daily life and excessively crowded venues. It’s for all those who are looking for a nice place, with an eclectic mix of artistic performances and a good vibe with the rest of the attendees (something difficult if you go to a place with thousands of people, but easy if there are a few hundred). The Boutique Fringe Festival is for true lovers of the Fringe who just want to enjoy the moment, live a unique experience surrounded by similar people with whom to connect. Because quantity is antonym of quality.
HOW THIS FITS IN WITH THE ARTISTS AND FRINGE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT
The Calgary Fringe Festival is sandwiched between the Winnipeg Fringe and the Edmonton Fringe, two of the largest Fringe Festivals on the Canadian touring circuit. Artists touring at these two large Fringe Festivals have the opportunity to earn some extra cash at the Calgary Fringe Festival in the down time between when Winnipeg Fringe ends and the Edmonton Fringe begins while continuing to workshop/perform their shows so that it remains vibrant and fresh without stagnating.
As a Boutique Fringe Festival, artists have the luxury of not having to compete with large masses of artists, are treated as a person and not as another number, are felt supported, loved, and welcomed – and have the potential of earning enough money so that they are not out of pocket of cash they would have had to spend on food, lodging, and entertainment in between Winnipeg Fringe and Edmonton Fringe while at the same time, able to take a breath from the busy-ness of these two large Festivals.
LOTTERY DRAWN (Fringe Managed Venues) and FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED (Artist Managed Venues or BYOVs) options available:
**LOTTERY DRAWN (Fringe Managed Venues):**
- Applications go online Monday, October 17 @ 10 am, MST.
- Deadline to apply: Fri Dec 2, 2022 @ 4 pm, MST.
- Lottery draw to take place Thurs Dec 8 @ 7 pm (location TBD
- Application fee: $25 admin processing fee, non-refundable.
- Participation fee for Lottery drawn Artists: $670 for six guaranteed performance timeslots over the 9 days.
What is provided:
- FRINGE U(niversity) self-producing tips & tricks.
- Venues outfitted with theatrical lights, staging and sound and full tech support.
- Online ticketing and FOH / Box Office services.
- Part of the Festival marketing and promotion campaigns.
- Artist’s Promo video / trailer posting on our Digital Theatre Playhouse web channel.
- HD recording of one of your performances that will then be re-broadcast over our Digital Theatre Playhouse web channel for increased patron accessibility. Artists also receive a copy of this recording for their own purposes at the conclusion of the Festival.
- Host billeting for out of town Fringe artists, if available.^^
- 100% of the ticket price (not including ticketing surcharges and GST). All tickets are priced at $20 for non-members ($15 plus $5 ticketing surcharge), $15 for FRINGER+ Members ($12 plus $3 ticketing surcharge), and Double Your Applause for $30 per ticket ($25 plus $5 ticketing surcharge). Pay What You Want option may also be provided to patrons at the artists’ discretion. Artist payout median in 2022 was $2,630.
**FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED (Artist Managed Venues or BYOVs):**
We are currently sourcing out AMVs in the Inglewood area (Fringe Central) and potentially in the Downtown Core. AMVs, or “Bring Your Own Venues” (BYOVs) as they are more commonly known, are found performance spaces, either traditional or non-traditional. Examples of past AMVs include a performance area at one end of a coffee house, the basement of an art gallery, in a music venue, or outdoors in a park. AMVs come “as is” – in other words, what you see is what you get. Any costs associated with venue leasing, tech services, or equipment rentals are borne by the artist. AMV performance dates and times are coordinated between the venue, artist, and the Calgary Fringe. Full information and venue specs about available AMVs will be posted on our website by end of Jan 2023.
Artists from anywhere in the world can apply for an AMV spot. Maximum 4 x AMV artist spots – 50% General Artist Category and 50% IBPOC / Equity seeking Category. Artists may apply to the AMV of their choice and will be selected on a first come, first served basis. If you have an AMV that you would like to bring to the Festival, please contact Michele Gallant, Executive Director and Producer, at michele@calgaryfringe.ca to discuss this option further.
Participation fee for First Come, First Served Artists: $150 (for 3 performances), $250 (for 5 performances), $350 (for 7 performances) or $450 (for 9 performances).
What is provided:
- FRINGE U(niversity) self-producing tips & tricks.
- Online ticketing and FOH / Box Office services.
- Part of the Festival marketing and promotion campaigns.
- Artist’s Promo video / trailer posting on our Digital Theatre Playhouse web channel.
- Host billeting for out of town Fringe artists, if available.^^
- 100% of the ticket price (not including ticketing surcharges and GST). All tickets are priced at $20 for non-members ($15 plus $5 ticketing surcharge), $15 for FRINGER+ Members ($12 plus $3 ticketing surcharge), and Double Your Applause for $30 per ticket ($25 plus $5 ticketing surcharge). Pay What You Want option may also be provided to patrons at the artists’ discretion.
^^IMPORTANT NOTE: host billeting is not guaranteed and may not be available at all, depending on the pandemic situation and the comfort level of the host billets. It is highly recommended that travelling artists factor in paid accommodations as part of their touring budget.
INCLUSIVITY AND EQUALITY – ADDRESSING SYSTEMIC RACISM
The Calgary Fringe highly values equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. We are committed to meaningful change and are currently working on ways to address the equity imbalance within our organization and within our city. One such step is in the creation of the IBPOC / Equity-Seeking Artist Category where we hold aside 50% of all lottery and first come, first served slots for this category.
We continue to listen, to learn, and to grow – and continually renew our commitment to building a better, more equitable system that actively combats racism.
KEEP CHECKING BACK HERE REGULARLY FOR THE LATEST UPDATES!!!
As soon as we have more details, we’ll be updated the information here so check back regularly for more details.
– Much hugs from the Calgary Fringe Team
