Catch Up on the Fest and the Picks!
Why yes we did break last year’s attendance record, thanks for asking! We had an attendance of over 29,000 and we still have the Pick of the Fringe yet to add to the score sheet! Of course our achievements are not only numerical. We transformed Granville Island into a stage with performances popping out of every pore of the pavement and we partied like pets in perpetual motion. So whether you need to wean yourself off or catch up on missing out, the Public Market Pick of the Fringe and the Pick Plus are here for you! Here’s some tid-bits on the first half of the shows that will be presented at the Waterfront Theatre from Sept. 21-25.
The Power of Ignorance
Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 8:00pm
Chris Gibbs presented The Power of Ignorance at the 2009 Fringe and the Georgia Straight’s Kathleen Oliver said, “Performer Chris Gibbs (who co-wrote the show with TJ Dawe) continually injects doses of childlike silliness into his sophisticated satire.”
The Holy Land Experience
Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7:15pm
Martin Dockery has wowed audiences around North America with his wild tales and wicked humour. He won the Pick of the Fringe in 2010 for Wanderlust. This is the Vancouver premiere of The Holy Land Experience, an exploration of the theme park in Orlando where Jesus is crucified daily and his real trip to the real holy land.
Grim and Fischer (Photo Credit: Emily White)
Grim and Fischer
Thursday, Sept. 22 at 9:00pm
Friday, Sept.23 at 8:50pm
A late-comer to the 2011 Fringe, Wonderheads creates theatre using amazing masks. And they make some pretty fun videos too.
This Is Cancer
Saturday, Sept. 24 at 3:15pm
Sunday, Sept. 25 at 8:30pm
Cancer survivor Bruce Horak stars in and co-wrote this play that lets us laugh at the disease that has affected us all. Cancer himself was even interviewed by CNN.
Progressive Polygamists (Photo Credit: Thorsten Gohl)
The Progressive Polygamists
Saturday, Sept. 24 at 5:30pm
Pippa Mackie and Emmelia Gordon attended the Supreme Court proceedings on the Bountiful polygamy case in preparation for their show, but it is far from a dry report. Join these two “sisterwives” from a BC polygamist society in this satirical comedy as they travel across Canada trying to convince audiences that polygamy is progressive, positive, and wonderful!
Check out our newsletter on Sept. 23 for mini-profiles on the rest of the Pick and Pick Plus shows!
Fringe Awards Night!
The 27th Vancouver Fringe Festival came to a close at Performance Works on the evening of Sept. 18, where awards were given out to a few of this year’s standout performers. Excitement ran high as artists, volunteers, staff, and theatre lovers came together to celebrate the end of a fantastic Fringe. Executive Director David Jordan summed it up nicely when he spoke to the audience about the ever growing Fringe family.
Over the past 11 days we’ve come together to celebrate the creative and artistic achievements of individuals from all over the globe. At times we were brought to tears, forced into hysterics, and perhaps even moved to create something Fringe worthy for next year. We’d like to thank everyone who made this possible and congratulate all of our award winners, including the six productions chosen to participate in this year’s Pick of the Fringe.
2011 Public Market Pick of the Fringe Awards - Winners will have a post-festival run at Waterfront Theatre running from September 21-25.
Big Shot, The Progressive Polygamists, Grim and Fischer, This is Cancer, Peter ‘n’ Chris, and Little Orange Man.
But the Pick weren’t the only Awards presented! Here are the winners:
Little Orange Man won several awards last night, including the coveted Volunteer Choice Award (Photo Credit: Rachelle Jones)
Fringe Playhouse Award
The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company and the Fringe reward a single outstanding show with a spot in a future Playhouse season.
Little Orange Man
Cultchivating the Fringe Award
The winner receives a run at the Cultch in an upcoming season.
Grim and Fischer
Joanna Maratta Award
This award honours those who best exhibit the original founding spirit of the Vancouver Fringe Festival: determination! The winner receives mentorship from our Executive Director, David Jordan.
Awkward Stage Productions
The Georgia Straight Critics Choice Award
Chosen by Colin Thomas and Kathleen Oliver, the Georgia Straight’s theatre critics.
Giant Invisible Robot
Talk of the Fringe Award
Plank Magazine recognizes the show that generates the most online and in-person buzz and PrintPrint.ca awards them with a $500 printing credit!
Siddhartha
Volunteer Choice Award
As voted by our legions of dedicated volunteers!
Little Orange Man
The SOFA (Spirit of the Fringe Award)
This award goes to the artist who most exemplifies perseverance and camaraderie throughout the chaos of the festival.
Cameryn Moore from Phone Whore
Sanctioned Graffiti All Over the Fest
A Fringe volunteer uses our Buzz Boards to comment on her favourite show. (Photo Credit: Rachelle Jones)
If you ever need to get something really big printed, like the banners you saw all over the Festival, Speedpro Imaging is the way to go. Not only do they sponsor us, but they also sponsor Variety, the Children’s Charity and the BC Cancer Foundation, so you know they’re good folks.
Speedpro once again printed the amazing Buzz Boards! These fun spaces for sanctioned graffiti were located at all Mainstage venues at the Vancouver Fringe. Did you get to write on one?
Not only did people write reviews of the shows they saw, but they also had fun adding to our illustrations of Jimmy and our many chickens!
Reason #12 to Donate To the Fringe:
You Love the Fringe!
You love what happens at the Fringe and whether this was your first or your 27th Fringe you know you want more!
Do you love the Fringe?
Buy a Mac and Give Back
Mac Station has a big heart! Not only do they help bring the Fringe to fruition year after year, but now they are making computer accessibility a reality in developing countries. When you purchase a Mac from Mac Station, you will be invited to participate in the “Buy a Mac, give a Mac” campaign. How this works is quite simple. Buy a Mac at Mac Station—then send three friends a postcard inviting them to “Buy a Mac, Give a Mac.” If someone you know then decides to purchase a Mac from Mac Station, a refurbished Mac will be sent to Guatemala and given to a child in need. Talk about a win-win situation.
Check out this video of the kids they’re helping:
