Latest news with #MeganDart
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
44th fringe festival ‘full of stars' to look slightly different with cost-saving changes
Attendees are seen at a venue at the Edmonton Fringe Festival in an undated handout photo. The Edmonton Fringe Festival says a new fundraising campaign that lets donors "adopt" and then name a portable toilet has been a success. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Edmonton Fringe Festival, *MANDATORY CREDIT* The theme of the 44th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival was revealed on Friday: 'A Fringe full of stars.' 'The stars for us really is about not just those who are on stage, but those who are backstage, those who are volunteering, those who come to see 45 shows during the festival,' artistic director Murray Utas told CTV News Edmonton. 'What we can expect from this theme is a very vast look at our existence…. And I think that it makes sense with the global nature of our festival, being international.' Running Aug. 14-24, the festival will consist of 223 theatre productions at 40 venues and some 1,600 artists from across the globe. Among the Fringe favourites that are returning are the Indigenous pêhonân Series, free Kids Fringe and nightly music series in ATB Park (Wilbert McIntyre Park), and Sea Change Brewing Co. as the event's exclusive beer provider. Some things will look different, however. Executive director Megan Dart said the festival may not be able to provide its usual free shuttle service between the festival and Edmonton's French Quarter. It is also not providing staff with T-shirts. She said the festival is doing everything it can to 'preserve that audience and artistic experience,' but continues to be in a precarious financial position with festival costs increasing 8.5 per cent over last year's nine per cent. 'Last year, by many measures, was one of our most successful festivals in the history of fringe theater. But the truth is, we are still facing incredible financial struggle as an industry,' Dart told CTV News Edmonton. But the festival is celebrating growing its number of monthly donors from 34 to 540 over the past year. And ATB Financial has committed to being the festival's lead partner through 2027. Dart said, 'Yes, we are still in survival mode, but we are still here. We are scrappy. We've been building this movement on duct tape and dreams for 44 years; we will continue to do that.' Tickets go on sale Aug. 6. Under the fringe theatre model, 100 per cent of the ticket price goes to performers, while the ticket fee portion goes to the festival, which was increased in 2024. The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is known as the largest and longest running of its kind in North America. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Dave Mitchell
Global News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Global News
Edmonton Fringe Fest reveals ‘Fringe Full of Stars' theme for 2025, gives fundraising update
As one of the most well-attended events on Edmonton's festival calendar each year, the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival teased its upcoming incarnation on Friday by revealing its theme for 2025: 'A Fringe Full of Stars.' '(The theme) is a very vast look at our existence,' explained Murray Utas, the artistic director with Edmonton Fringe Theatre. 'It makes sense with the global nature of our festival. 'Everything that you are interested in — and more — you can find here, and I think that is the best thing about the Fringe.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Everything that you are interested in — and more — you can find here, and I think that is the best thing about the Fringe." In a news release, festival organizers said the theme is about conveying the idea that Edmonton's Fringe is more than just a festival. 'This is a galaxy born on the fringes of imagination,' the release said. 'We are 'A Fringe Full of Stars,' and your light belongs here. Shine on with us.' Story continues below advertisement Organizers held an event Friday morning to unveil the festival's 2025 theme, complete with an artistic dance performance. The 44th Edmonton Fringe Festival takes place Aug. 14-24, with plans to present 223 theatre productions in 40 venues. In all 1,600 artists will perform at the festival, which is centred around theatre but also embraces music, dance, comedy and street performances. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Edmonton's Fringe is the longest-running Fringe theatre festival in North America and organizers say it has a reputation as one of the top five Fringe festivals in the world. This year's festival will include a free, nightly music series at McIntyre Park in Old Strathcona, and will see the Indigenous-centred pêhonân performance series make its return, as will KidsFringe, described by organizers as 'a festival within a festival for little Fringers' and their caregivers. Story continues below advertisement 'Sustain Fringe' campaign continues Last year, the festival launched a fundraising campaign dubbed 'Sustain Fringe,' asking the community to donate to the festival, sponsor it, or volunteer time to help it stay afloat amid skyrocketing expenses and dwindling funding. Organizers revealed Friday that the campaign started with 34 monthly donors but now has more than 540 monthly donors. 'The support of our monthly donors is crucial to ensuring we continue to thrive as one of the most influential cultural and tourism drivers in the country,' said Megan Dart, the executive director of Fringe Theatre. 'We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our donors and sponsors. Thanks to you, the Fringe Festival will return to the heart of Old Strathcona again this August. 'While we're celebrating this incredible milestone in support of our Sustain Fringe campaign, we have a long way to go yet.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "While we're celebrating this incredible milestone in support of our Sustain Fringe campaign, we have a long way to go yet." Dart said expenses continue to outpace funding but hopes the community will increasingly continue to show its support for the event. 'We've built this festival on duct tape and dreams since we first exploded onto the scene in 1982, but we need the continued help of our community if we're going to sustain the Edmonton Fringe Festival for generations to come,' she said.
