On Sunday night we wrapped up the biggest Victoria Fringe ever with the Pick of the Fringe Awards. And the winners are…

Best of Fringe: Grim & Fischer: A Deadly Comedy in Full Face Mask

Spoken word: Smartarse and Canterbury Cocktails

Solo show:  God is a Scottish Drag Queen, jem rolls and Rosie Bitts

Musical:  Whiskey Bars and [title of show]

Comedy: Peter n’ Chris and the Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel, Tara Firm and the Lunar War Chronicles, Photobooth and The Birdmann  

Drama: Giving in to Light, Spitting in the Face of the Devil, Phone Whore, Shadows in Bloom

Family: Struwwelpeter and Aladdin

Physical Theatre: Grim & Fischer, Little Orange Man and Hip Bang

A huge thanks to our many supporters who made this year’s Victoria Fringe such a success – the tireless army of volunteers, the wonderful Fringe artists, the fringe-loving audience members, our sponsors and funders, and all those who made generous individual donations to the Fringe cause.  We broke all the records this year with a total attendance of 27,000 people (4,000 more than last year) and individual donations reaching $8,651.70 during the festival.

We look forward to Fringing with you again next year. But don’t be a stranger – keep in touch with us via Facebook, twitter, our year-round website, our e-news or better still, pop into Intrepid Theatre to say hi.

Sunset in Centennial Square at the Fringe Eve Preview, 2011

The Fringe is powered by word of mouth, so lineups are always the best place to find out what’s hot – ask that stranger next to you what they saw. Volunteers are also a wealth of information – ask one what shows are popular or who the underdogs are. You can also catch the buzz and show reviews at the following websites:

A Vintage Fringe lineup from the 90s.

>>The Craig:  The Victoria Fringe’s audience reviews forum. Read and write reviews!

>>CultureVultureVictoria.com 

>>Times Colonist

>>Monday Magazine

>>Nexus Magazine

>>Victoria News

>>The Martlet

BLOGGING THE FRINGE

>>CFUV 101.9 FM’s Fringe Blog

>>CBC Radio Victoria’s Fringe Blog

>>Montreal’s Bloody Underrated”

>>Ottawa’s ‘The Visitorium’

>>Victoria’s ‘The Marble’

>>Janis Lacouvee

Tell us if you are blogging about Fringe shows + we’ll link to you.

A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME…

On twitter? Follow the #yyjfringe hashtag and @IntrepidTheatre for up to the minute buzz or friend the Fringe on Facebook.

The Victoria Fringe Festival got off to a cracking start yesterday with some wonderful shows and large crowds. Local comic Mike Delamont sold out his opening night performance of God is a Scottish Drag Queen at the Fort St Cafe and there were big crowds for other local shows including the new Peter n’ Chris’ show and Tara Firm and the Lunar War Chronicles.

This weekend is gearing up to be a busy one jam packed with Fringe shows. So to help you get in as many fantastic new shows as possible and plan what to see in which venue, we’ve created a handy guide that shows you all the walking and cycling times between venues. >>DOWNLOAD: Fringe Venue Travel Times 2011

There are Bike Racks at all Fringe venues, so you can park safely right out front. The weather is looking sunny, so make sure you bring your own water bottle to shows (water coolers for refills at all venues) and get your fringe layers going so you can strip down when the venues get hot.

Happy Fringing!

Stuart Nemtin, Brian Paisley, Randy Smith, and Julia Menard

This year the Fringe turns 25 years old. Ah, so many great Fringe memories. Over the years the Fringe has grown into an incredible community of audiences, artists, media, volunteers and Fringe staffers. We took a moment to talk to some old school Fringers about their favourite memories of the festival and in a series of blog posts, we will be bringing you their stories throughout the Fringe.

 Victoria’s Stuart Nemtin/Major Conrad Flapps has been involved in the Fringe in some form or another since its inception in 1986. This year he’ll be at FringeKids Fest on Sat Aug 27.

I remember the very first fringe, because I had invited Brian Paisley to come out from Edmonton to scope out the feasibility of us launching a fringe here, which Randy Smith from Intrepid Theatre had stepped up at that initial meeting of artists and others to commit Intrepid to the task.

Opening Ceremonies at Market Square, I was resplendent in a cosmonaut embroidered paper jumpsuit as Major Conrad Flapps: Randy was there, Brian Paisley and Julia Menard: There was a ribbon to cut but no scissors! So being improvisational, and resourceful, theatrically, we lifted Julia in our arms and she became the scissors!-arms like jaws and Voila! the ribbon was cut and the first Fringe began!

Jayson McDonald

London, Ontario performer Jayson McDonald has been a firm Fringe favourite ever since he brought Giant Invisible Robot to Victoria. He’s toured here for the Fringe and Uno Fest numerous times and this year is reprising the classic Giant Invisible Robot (at Venue 5).

To me the best thing about The Victoria Fringe Festival is its spirit of camaraderie and cooperation.  I do consider the organizers and many of its technicians and volunteers my friends.  When the BC government decided to slash its funding, many of the artists threw their hats into the ring, offering to help out any way they could.  I offered to do a fundraising performance of that year’s show or any of my other shows and Jan replied, “That won’t make much difference at this point,” or something to that effect. Later, they suggested that I do a holdover of ALL my shows.  “We’ll call it The Jayson McDonald Festival of the Ahts.”  So I did a weekend-long retrospective of all my solo shows up to that point — and the audiences responded by turning up in droves.  It was a very beautiful experience, and a terrific showing of support from Victoria audiences.  It illustrated just how much Victoria loves its Fringe Festival.

Keep posted for more Fringe Memories on the BUZZ page throughout the Festival. If you have any stories of your own you would like to share, we’d love to hear them! Email us or give us a call: 250 590 6291.

New to Fringing? Experienced Fringer Joan Songhurst has been coming to the festival since 1999 and saw an incredible 37 shows at last year’s Fringe (that’s a lot of Frequent Fringer Passes!). She gave us her expert tips for how to get the most out of the festival and plan out your Fringing fun.

TIP #1 Go to the PREVIEW – a great way to get a sense of what shows are on offer at the fringe this year and also to see acts that you might not normally choose to see. The Fringe special events are also lots of fun and give you a great insight into the festival.

TIP #2 INTERESTS – narrow down your show choices by focusing on what genre you like the best. “If you like comedy best, start with comedy. Everyone’s got a different flavor,” says Joan. (more…)

photo by Nicky Nadeau

The Fringe is planning the biggest flash mob Victoria has ever seen to kick off the 2011 festival and celebrate 25 years of Victoria Fringe. This awesome 80′s-themed Fringe Mob will be part of the 80′s Prom Dance Party on Tuesday August 23 in Centennial Square. We want all our Fringe friends to get in on the fun.

Step 1: JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP

Step 2: Watch the training VIDEOS

Step 3: Attend a TRAINING SESSION

We’ll be running some free rehearsal sessions around town in the lead up to the Fringe so that everyone is up on the moves. Email vicfringemob@intrepidtheatre.com or  Join the Facebook Event to keep updated.

– Please check www.gggarts.org for complete current/updated listings and what Parts of the dance we will be rehearsing.

CURRENT REHEARSALS (as of August 8, 2011)

Thursday, August 11 ‐ Metro Studio – 7pm
Friday, August 12 ‐ Centennial Square –7:30pm

photo by Nicky Nadeau

Saturday, August 13 ‐ Moss Street Market – Robert Porter Park – 1pm
Beacon Hill Park Water Park (across from the watering can) -3:00pm
Sunday August 14 ‐ Market in the Square – Centennial Square – 2pm
Monday August 15 ‐ Metro Studio – 1:30pm
Tuesday, August 16 ‐ Intrepid Theatre Club – 12:00pm ‐The Bay Centre – 6:50pm – Central Courtyard (after hours)
Wednesday, August 17 –‐ Dance Victoria – 3:00pm
Thursday, August 18 –‐ Langham Court Theatre – 5:30pm
Friday, August 19 –‐ Dance Victoria – 12pm
Centennial Square – 2pm & 7:30pm
Saturday, August 20 –‐ Moss Street Market – Robert Porter Park – 1pm
Beacon Hill Park Water Park (across from the watering can) – 3:00pm
Sunday, August 21 –‐ Fernwood Community Centre –Tennis Courts – 4pm ‐ Victoria Events Centre – 1pm
Monday, August 22 –‐ Centennial Square – 5pm ‐ Victoria Events Centre – 12pm TBC
Tuesday August 23 -‐ Centennial Square – 2-6pm
FRINGE MOB at 7:46pm ‐ Centennial Square

QUESTIONS? Email vicfringemob AT intrepidtheatre.com

$80.40 (HST Included)

This limited edition pass is the best way to truly experience the Victoria Fringe – ask any Fringe Fest aficionado. The Frequent Fringer pass a ten-show discount munchcard that includes a Visa Button. Only one person can use it, and it is not valid for advance tickets – only at the door. The pass costs $80.40 and there are only 200 available! On sale now ONLINE, at the Ticket Rocket’s Fringe Central (Fisgard at Blanshard) or by phone (250 590 6291). These puppies sell out every year, so get yours before they’re gone!

>>BUY YOURS NOW

We’re live and alive, baby!

The Fringe is planning the biggest flash mob Victoria has ever seen to kick off the 2011 festival. The Fringe Mob is gonna be epic!  And we want all our Fringe friends to get in on the fun. You too can be part of this spontaneous 80′s themed choreographed happening in Centennial Square on Tues August 23 to celebrate the Victoria Fringe’s 25th anniversary. We’ll be running some informal training sessions around town in the lead up to the Fringe so that everyone is up on the moves. Email vicfringemob@intrepidtheatre.com register your interest and we’ll keep you in the loop. Join the Facebook Event.