Welcome to the 2023 Vancouver Fringe Festival!

The arts – including theatre – have the power to transform us, expand our horizons, and help us to better understand the world around us. Our government is committed to helping Canadians experience the arts within their communities. This is why we are proud to support this event, British Columbia’s largest theatre festival, which showcases our diversity through original live performances that enrich and entertain.

With a mission to present ‘Theatre For Everyone’, this festival invites audiences of all ages to join emerging and established artists as they share their passion, talent, and creativity with the world.

As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I would like to congratulate all the organizers, volunteers, and performers who have worked hard to bring this year’s Vancouver Fringe to life. Thank you for your contribution to the region’s cultural landscape.

Enjoy the performances!

The Honourable Pascale St-Onge
Minister of Canadian Heritage

As a Member of Parliament for Vancouver Centre, I extend my greetings and utmost appreciation to the Vancouver Fringe Theatre Society for their remarkable dedication to the arts. The Vancouver Fringe Festival has become a beacon of creativity, capturing audiences with its incredible range of exhibitions.

Vancouver Fringe demonstrates the transformative power of the arts, fostering cultural understanding. The passion and talent showcased by artists are inspiring, and I commend their contributions to the cultural fabric of our nation.

I am honoured to welcome you to Granville Island’s transformation into a hub of artistry. Vancouver Fringe Festival’s commitment to fostering artistic expression and engaging the community is commendable, and I encourage everyone to immerse themselves in this captivating celebration and be inspired by the magic that unfolds.

The Honourable Hedy Fry
MP – British Columbia

On behalf of Premier David Eby and the Government of British Columbia, welcome to the Vancouver Fringe Festival.

The Vancouver Fringe Festival is a highly anticipated annual B.C. event that puts superb entertainment in the performing arts centre stage and celebrates diversity by exploring the ever-expanding boundaries of creativity.

The Government of British Columbia is a proud supporter of the Vancouver Fringe Festival through the BC Arts Council and the Fairs, Festivals, and Events Fund. Events like this showcase our province’s vibrant arts and culture sector, while contributing to the growth and strength of the province’s economy by drawing visitors to local communities.

Thank you to the Vancouver Fringe Theatre Society for hosting this popular annual festival. As well, thank you to the volunteers and artists whose creativity, art and passion is at the heart of this signature event. Wishing the best for another fantastic festival.

The Honourable Lana Popham
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

On behalf of Premier David Eby and the Government of British Columbia, welcome to the Vancouver Fringe Festival.

Through innovative and experimental theatre, the Vancouver Fringe Festival has made a name for itself by challenging the status quo and pushing the creative boundaries of performance art. This event gives a platform for artists to showcase their talents and for their diverse stories to be heard. It’s entertainment that is thought-provoking, as it confronts the traditional ways we perceive and interpret our world.

B.C.’s arts and culture community contributes to the resiliency, vitality, and health of our communities. Festivals support local economies by improving a community’s competitive edge, fostering a strong workforce, and attracting visitors. As a signature event among B.C.’s annual festivals, our government is proud to support the Vancouver Fringe Festival through the BC Arts Council and the Fairs, Festivals, and Events Fund.

Thank you to the Vancouver Fringe Theatre Society that works hard to bring us joy through outstanding entertainment. And to the artists who spend all year honing their craft to present some of the best in theatre, dance, and the spoken word. As well, thank you to the many volunteers whose contributions to this festival are indispensable. We greatly value the work that you do to support the strength and prosperity of B.C.’s arts and culture sector.

Enjoy the Festival!

Bob D’Eith
Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film

As we continue our economic recovery in the face of multiple global issues, it’s more important than ever to keep our downtown core alive. Through events, like the Vancouver Fringe Festival, there are amazing opportunities to experience new sides of the city in safe, engaging, and fun ways.

Artists are the unsung heroes who help keep our downtown core alive and vibrant. Whatever your medium, whether you create murals, paintings, sketches, digital art, or performance art, our world would be a lot less beautiful without you. And Granville Island is the perfect space to showcase the incredible work that you do.

I can’t wait to see the extremely talented artists and encourage you to check it out as well!

Brenda Bailey
MLA – Vancouver-False Creek

The BC Arts Council is proud to support the Vancouver Fringe Festival again this year!

This year’s Festival promises and amazing array of artists. Congratulations on keeping us all engaged and on our toes for another ten days of artistry and entertainment!

Promoting and organizing an event this large is a testament to the incredible work of the Vancouver Fringe Festival. On behalf of the BC Arts Council, I want to extend my thanks to the Fringe team, the performers, the artists, the supporters, and the many volunteers who have put together this year’s celebratory showcase.  It promises to be another fabulous year!

Be part of the Fringe! Enjoy the Festival!

Sae-Hoon Stan Chung
Chair – BC Arts Council

On behalf of the citizens of Vancouver and my colleagues on City Council, I want to extend a warm welcome to everyone attending the 2023 Vancouver Fringe Festival.

The Vancouver Fringe Theatre Society and its Festival has been a mainstay of our Vancouver community since 1983. The Fringe Festival’s mission was to open the door to artists of all genres and formats and allow the exchange of expression to flow freely – this has created one the best art festivals in Vancouver.

Congratulations to all the staff and over 500 volunteers who work so hard to create a successful festival. To all the artists, directors, producers, crews and audiences taking part in this year’s event, I trust you will find the 2023
Vancouver Fringe Festival to be entertaining and enlightening.

Ken Sim
Mayor of Vancouver

We’re thrilled to be the 

Presenting Sponsor of the Vancouver Fringe Festival again this year, featuring performances at indoor and outdoor venues throughout Granville Island! 

Every year since 2000, the Fringe Festival has descended on Granville Island, bringing a creative energy to the whole community.  

The support for emerging artists as well as the opportunity for established artists to test new material and genres aligns perfectly with Granville Island’s vision to be the most inspiring public place in the world.  

The extensive line-up of daytime and evening entertainment helps showcase our destination as a centre for arts and culture in Vancouver. 

On behalf of CMHC, welcome to all the audience members, artists, volunteers, and crew who make this Festival happen. 

Thomas Lancaster
General Manager – CMHC-Granville Island

As a fervent Vancouver Fringe-goer and artist myself throughout the years, I’m excited to see us all coming together more and more to celebrate theatre and live performance that brings Granville Island to life with great creative energies and joy.

I hope you all come out of this year’s festival feeling titillated, inspired, and moved by either Fringe hits or that unexpected small show that you decided to see last minute because you met the artist in line. Whether you are new or a recurring character at the Vancouver Fringe, welcome and enjoy your experience at the festival!

Davey Calderon
Dramaturg, Public Engagement – Playwrights Theatre Centre

The last three plus years have been challenging ones as we struggle with the fallout from the pandemic, inflation, and global unrest. It’s hard sometimes to remain upbeat and positive about the future. But even in these moments, I see plenty of reason to feel hopeful and excited.

If there’s anything these years have taught me is how incredibly vital the arts are to our human psyche and well-being. Particularly in the Fringe World, where so much is about the wonderful diversity of artistic expressions and human interaction. It’s a world in which we are free – and encouraged! – to ‘think outside the box’; exploring different ways in which to express, share, and to celebrate the stories we all have in new and exciting ways. Each of us embracing what makes us unique and special while at the same time, discovering how similar we are in our own shared experiences.

I want to thank you, the audience, for being willing to expand your hearts and minds to new possibilities, thoughts, and ideas. For truly embracing the Spirit of Fringe and coming out to see these shows. Your support means the world to these artists whose talents inspire each and every day – something I’m always in constant admiration of.

As a CAFF member Festival, we strive to give artists space in which to share their stories in a way that best showcases how they want to tell it, with 100% of the ticket price going directly back to them.

Stretch yourself. See a show you know nothing about. Bring someone along to share this experience with. And tell everyone you know about the Wonderful World of Fringe. It only takes a small pebble in the pond to cause a cascade of ripples with far reaching effects. All it takes is that first step…

Happy Fringing!

Michele Gallant
President – Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals