For the most part, I love the fringe. There's loads of shows. Local artists feel well supported and empowered and its generally well organized and very well attended.... but this was the first year I brought my kids to the Kids Fringe and it was disappointing. To begin with, it wasn't organized well for ages.... there was a booklet that the kids could take around the activities to get stamped.... my 4 year old and 1 year old were too young to understand the concept and my 7 year old wasn't allowed into many of the activities because he was too old and he was bored stiff at many of the others. The fossil digging was pretty cool - everyone enjoyed this. The Box fort zone was highly anticipated.... and highly disappointing.... my front yard on trash day would be more exciting to play in. As pictured, it was a few boxes that were collapsed and largely falling apart.... there was so so much potential for this event.... but it was completely unsupported. We'll continue to support the main fringe festival, but we'll be looking for other activities for our kids. read more

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I love everything about the fringe except the food. You can keep the disappointing 9$ Philly cheesesteaks, but give me so many plays, give me terrible recommendations from artists and promoters, give me unexpected theatre gems that look like bombs from descriptions and names, give me mostly terrible merchandise to purchase with enough neat stuff to keep you looking, give me cheesy and entertaining street performers, give me costumes, racy or not, to grab your attention, give me that sea of humanity in the heart of old Strathcona. It's a whirlwind, you'll laugh, you may cry, you may wonder why it is so humid, hot or cold, you may wonder why there are so many zombie plays (much more last year!). But it's fun and is never a dull moment ... And it means summer is almost over. Enjoy it for what it is. Edmonton at its best! Just a few words of advice. I've NEVER seen an exceptional one man show and zombie show + comedy usually = entertaining. Happy fringe-ing! read more

Fringe Theatre Adventures - Given at Famished! - Performing Arts Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

If 6 stars were possible the Fringe would get it. Hell I'd probably give the Fringe 7 out of 5 stars. The Fringe is my favorite festival in Edmonton. It has a little bit of everything I love; outdoor buskers, food, street vendors, and theatre. Anyone who's lived in Edmonton can attest to what a large festival this is for the city (2nd largest Fringe Fest in the world), and what a great theatre community Edmonton has. Despite the popularity of the Fringe I only really started going a couple years ago. Sure I'd go down and check out the scene by the Transalta Arts Barn, but I never actually saw a show. Shows at the Fringe are picked by a lottery. Most tickets are about $10-$12 for a show, but if you buy early you can get a Fringe Pass (it usually sells out quickly), Everyone will have their own way of Fringing. I try to check out a few shows I've heard about or want to see, and then I take a chance on a few shows I know nothing about. Now I'm not gonna say every show is great, there are some duds. But I like taking a chance and trying something new. If you need reassurance you can go into the Arts Barn, where they sell the tickets, and read through the show reviews. If you're a little hesitant about what to see there's usually a performer or someone from an upcoming show who'll give you their card and try to convince you to see their show. Not all shows are appropriate for all ages, so if you have kids with you make sure to find out if the show is good for them. Also know that some show's BYOVs (bring your own venue) can be quite far, and you may need to drive or take transit to get there. If you don't know where a venue is there's maps inside the Arts Barn and of course volunteers you can ask. The Fringe is busy so prepare for crowds, and give yourself time to find a parking stall if you're going to drive down. Alternatively you can take the bus, and if you have a program or make a donation and get a sticker you can get free transit after 6pm. If you're going for the day be prepared; wear comfy shoes and clothes, and bring water, sunscreen and bug spray. This year the Fringe also has a mini carnival (which is apparently sustainable and runs on veggie oil). At first I thought why? But really this is a good option if you have kids who aren't going to sit still for a paid show. They can see the outdoor buskers, go to the carnival and still have fun. Plus if you're missing carnival food that they had at Capital Ex, like mini donuts or elephant ears you have a chance to come down and feed your craving. There's also other streetcart type foods set up. And of course if you wanna take a break Whyte Ave is right there with lots of stores, restaurants and pubs. Oh Fringe Festival I only wish you were here longer. But I can't see it being quite as popular in the middle of January when it's -30. Come to the Fringe and enjoy Edmonton's summer while it's still here. read more

Finally made it to Brains 2.0! Quick! Go see it! The Artery is quaint, the drinks aren't all ice and lots of craft beers. Parking is cheap and plentiful. The play was funny, and you get nearly two hours worth of music, song and goofiness for the price of one. Loved the decently original plot the most. read more

I try to make it out to the Fringe every year, but this was the first time that I have attended on opening night and what a treat it was! What makes opening night so special? Three things: 1) The main stage runs an Opening Ceremony which gives actors two minutes to preview their play to the masses. It was a great way to figure out what to see and was also super entertaining! 2) A smaller crowd. Since it is a Thursday night and the reviews haven't been written, we found the crowd to be a bit smaller than normal. 3) Free tickets! Again, actors are trying to spread the word which also means they are spreading the wealth! So check out the pre-views on the main stage then track them down to grab a couple tickets on the house. Beyond the perks of opening night, the Fringe delivered everything that we expected from tasty samosas, green onion cakes, lemonade and beer to people watching, a huge variety of plays and shopping. The only critique on the evening (beyond the mosquitoes), is that the north end of the grounds where the circus tents and kid-areas are seem to be getting a little decrepit and could use a bit of a facelift. The rest of the grounds are so vibrant in comparison! I can't wait to check it out again this weekend - great job Fringe 2012! read more

Fringe Theatre Adventures - Checking out our first play of the 2012 Edmonton Fringe Festival! - Performing Arts Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I love the Fringe. And like most Edmonton festivals that repeat every year, the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival includes a myriad of things to do from watching street performers to eating festival food and yes attending shows both a BYOVs and at the main venues. But Fringe Theatre Adventures isn't just the festival itself: no, it also hosts a series of shows throughout the year (this varies significantly year to year) and other events. I've once gotten season tickets to the non Fringe festival shows, which was fun, and occasionally I'll just catch a show by itself. read more

If you haven't been to the Fringe, you are missing out on the best people watching, entertainment, beer gardens, street performers, shopping, eating, drinking, and sun tanning in Edmonton. The plays are great, and usually if you are a first-timer you can avoid the line-ups by just taking in all of the amazing street performers all along 83rd. Tip generously as these poor artists don't get paid to be there-- it's all based on your generosity! If you can take in a play, do so. Most of the big hits sell out quickly so try to get online and buy your tickets in advance if you are keen. If you are feeling lucky, many of the performers walk around selling tickets to their shows and can give you a special deal (buy 2 get one free etc) depending on how much you feel like haggling... If you do insist on driving, parking is mental around the whole area. Expect a bit of a walk, but it's the most beautiful time of the year and strathcona is gorgeous with the cute little houses. Don't be shy about the BYOV (Bring your own venue) shows. Sometimes they are in bars, you can have a beverage, are less crowded, and don't have the same pressure about sardine seating. Don't fret if you aren't seeing your show in a full theatre. read more

I love the fringe, its so much fun!! The food is great!!! The only issue I had this year was that green carnival... I thought Oh cool I can take my kids on some rides... the service was POOR like zero stars poor.... I went to buy tickets and was treated like I was begging for change or something.. and the people that run the rides were rude.. they would run the ride once and shut the ride down and chum it up with the other staff... smoke and talk nasty even when its VERY visible there are kids around small ones that can pick up nasty words like D***... around my 3 yr old NO THANK YOU... anyways besides the nasty carnival.. THE FRINGE was so great!!! I had my fill of lemonade and corndogs.. and the delish samosas yummmm :-) The last day sunday.. was kind of a bummer everyone started shutting down at 8pm :-( guess it couldnt last forever... see you next year my beloved fringe!!! read more

I've heard that the Edmonton Fringe is supposed to be the best fringe festival in North American, and second in the world only to Edinburgh... and I believe it. I've been a Fringe patron for a number of years, and a volunteer once, and everything about this event is just fantastic. That's not to say you won't find bad shows... oh, you will. But that's just part of the fun! One of the great things about the Fringe is that the prices make it fairly accessible to everyone. Ticket prices have gone up a bit over the last few years, but you can still see every show for under $15. And if that's too much, there's still a lot to see on the outdoor stage and with the various street performers, plus some good old-fashioned people watching. The quality of shows at the Fringe can vary dramatically. If you're only interested in seeing good quality shows, read the reviews online early and buy tickets ASAP. The best rated shows will sell out early. But that doesn't mean there's nothing good left, and remember that these reviews can be a bit subjective anyways. So just do it! Happy Fringing! read more

The Fringe is a fantastic festival with lots of great shows to see, things to eat, and generally a very fun, energetic vibe around the whole area. The shows are relatively inexpensive at around $12.00 ,and the venues are mostly within a few blocks of each other making it easy to get to a lot of shows with minimal down time in between. This is the best time to have visitors in from out of town, as the city seems so alive with activity, and it's so easy to fill your day with fun plays and watching street performers. It really showcases Edmonton at it's best. People who don't get down there to check it out are really missing out on something special. read more

Oops, a bit of a belated review on the Edmonton Fringe Festival, but here it is! The Fringe is my absolute favourite festival of the summer. It really finishes off the summer on a great note and it's the time that I think Old Strathcona really comes alive (and I think it's one of the most "alive" areas all year 'round). The whole place is buzzing with excited patrons, amazing performers, and great festival food. I usually try to take in at least a half dozen shows each year. This year, I didn't hit my target, but I still had a great time at the festival. The outdoor buskers were very entertaining and funny, and as usual, the weather was just perfect. Here's my teeny-tiny issue with the festival - it's actually too big. It's great to see it expanding and more BYOVs (bring-your-own-venues) pop up, but I feel like it would take a full day to read through all the shows in the program book, circle shows you want to see, coordinate times, dates and locations (which now extend far beyond the Fringe grounds) and cross-reference those to reviews from Vue Weekly and the Edmonton Journal. It's just too much! Also, they need to lose this new carnival rides bit. If I wanted a Gravitron, I would have gone to Capital Ex (which I didn't). read more

After working on Whyte Ave for three years I am ashamed to admit I had had my fill of the Fringe and all of the people that come along with it. I had sworn off of even visiting the Ave when it was taking place, tacos in a bag or not! This year I was persuaded by my brother who regularly reviews Fringe shows to come and camp out at his venue this year and give it another chance. I was so happy that I did! He was stationed at the La Cite Francophone venue and the shows for the evening were Grimm & Fisher, Jake's Gift and Be a Man. As per my usual tentativeness regarding the Fringe I grilled him on the content, venue and preceding reputation of each play. The one that I was most looking forward to was Grimm & Fisher as it is a mask show which usually means that there are no vocals what so ever so the production is reliant on sound bites and the actors ability to emote through physical action. The premise for Grimm & Fisher was an old woman (Fisher) who was not ready to crossover but it was her time and it was Grimm's job to see it done. The play was amazing. The seemingly simple paper-mâché masks (which were constructed by the actor) transformed with each posturing of the head and body before your eyes into the most complex of human emotions. I was laughing two minutes in and crying 10 minutes in. It took me on a journey that I had no idea that the Fringe could deliver. The comedy was spot on and the drama would do Tony Soprano proud. I will be going again this year before the run ends as this is the last season before the troupe creates a new play. When I grow old I hope I handle it with Fisher's moxy. Jake's Gift followed Grimm & Fisher and based on what I had just witnessed I felt that the bar was set so high there was little hope for Jake's gift to even come close. I was wrong; it was like comparing apples to antelopes. Jake's Gift follows Jake a WWII veteran who was returning to the beaches of Normandy for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. The play centers around his interaction with a local young girl who takes care of the soldiers in Normandy. The production was composed so perfectly it could have been preformed bare bones free of the visual and audio aids that were provided. I was warned that it could tug at the heart strings and that was a gross understatement. I started to cry within the first 10 minutes and I was not even sure why. There was no sadness being conveyed by the characters, on contrary they were exchanging witty candor but you could sense that you were witnessing something beautiful and heartbreaking unfolding before your eyes unbeknownst to the characters themselves. I didn't stop crying until the play ended. Most Fringe plays focus on raising funds for the artists to continue producing their work, as they should. There is a reason the term "starving artist" has been around since the dawn of time. Jake's Gift how ever offers "swag" (i.e. buttons) for sale at the end of the show in support of your local poppy fund which is yet another reason to support this production. Be A Man was a interesting look at the masculine role in todays society. It felt like the more familiar Fringe fare that I had experienced while working on Whyte Ave. Or perhaps it was just unlucky to follow the two power house performances earlier that night. I am glad I gave it another shot this year and I am happy to see that they are able to broaden their reach and expand the venues to the less traveled areas of Whyte. The Fringe is known as a safe place to debut and develop artistic ideas with an audience that's open to experimentation. As such you never know what cat will jump out of the bag and being the Fringe you can only hope that it indeed is a cat. read more

This is my favourite summer festival in Edmonton. I've been attending for over 20 years. This year's festival had a great theme and had a big emphasis on sustainability-even a mid-way with rides that ran on vegetable oil. Some great street performers: Aerial Angels, Cellolitis, Luke&Tess Pretty, Neko Rei. Also took in the comedic improv "Scratch" which was hilarious! I was also pleasantly surprised to learn i could get show tickets online-no waiting in line ups! read more

Fringe Theatre Adventures - Cellolitis amazing cello! - Performing Arts Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I really think that the Fringe is our most fun, vibrant, and exciting festival. It brings a uniqueness to Edmonton, and I don't mind bragging that our Fringe is the second-biggest in the World. Live theatre at the Fringe is totally different than live theatre at the Citadel. It's more intimate and exciting. The plays are actually chosen by a lottery, so you never know if the play is going to be good or bad. If you don't feel like taking a gamble, it's best to check out See or Vue magazine for reviews first. I also highly recommend picking up a program for $6. It lists the descriptions, times, costs, and venue locations, along with a map to help you find your way. I've never actually seen a play that was really bad, but I've seen some mediocre plays and also some excellent plays. I love what happens to Old Strathcona during the Fringe. All kinds of Fringe-goers are everywhere. Buskers are singing and playing music. Vendors are selling their most creative works. The smells of delicious foods saturate the air. And stores are even having sales on all kinds of trendy merchandise. I really enjoy walking around, trying new foods, and finding cool stuff like a unique shoulder bag or glass jewellery. One year, a vendor had these old records that she melted down into these crazy bowls--really cool. read more

The Fringe is part of what makes Edmonton great. The last major festival of the summer, The Fringe brings together independent theatre, street performers, artisans, and of course, street vendors selling delicious festival food. The bulletin boards and posts are literally coated in posters promoting the thirty or so plays performed each year. The coolest part about a fringe theatre festival is that it is not juried, so you never know what you are going to get. I go to at least one play per year and I have seen funny, sexy, slightly amateurish, and exciting - sometimes all in the same performance! It is a good idea to read the newspapers to get reviews of the plays, since you have to buy tickets in advance and there is really no other way to know anything about the plays beforehand. Bring plenty of cash if you want to eat on the grounds, because some of the food can be a bit pricy - expect to spend between ten and twenty dollars on food. Most of the crafts and jewelry are cash only as well. read more

Fringe Theatre Adventures - Performing Arts Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I have to agree with Jeanette, the Fringe is one of the best things in Edmonton during the summer. It's really a shame to let the whole summer pass without going at least once. I caught my first show this past summer with my boyfriend. We saw an improv show by a duo called the Rocket Sugar Factory, and it was brilliant. My boyfriend's not really into drama or artsy stuff like that, but he loved the show, and said we should definitely come back next year. We went twice this past summer, and it was lots of fun both times. You can just see everyone having fun, enjoying themselves and the crowd. Performers have their acts here and there, and welcome Fringe-goers at the entrance, dressed up in elaborate outfits. There are numerous food and retail vendors around. This is one of the rare times in the city they bring out the "elephant ears" (ooh, I practically live for these things ... they're deep-fried circles of dough that are covered in sugar and cinnamon). And they know it too, so they've hiked up the price this past year, which is sooo despicable of them. I loathe them for it, yet I can't look away from the deep-fried sugary treats. The souvenirs they sell are quite unique, but expensive. They had one tent where this guy was hand-carving some beautiful candles, it was amazing to watch him and look at his handiwork. They also have a kids' section of the festival, where they do balloon figures and face-painting, things like that to keep the kids happy too. It's a fun place for everybody! read more

Grew up going to the fringe and like fine wine its only getting better with age. More venues each and every year. There's talent that flies in from around the globe just for a chance at being in this great festival. Had the chance to go to the worlds largest Fringe Festival in Edinburgh 10 years ago. And while Edmonton is not quite as big its definitely catching up. I'd recommend buying tickets in advance and don't put much into worrying what the reviews say. Everyone has there own taste. read more

Well another Fringe has come and gone and I consider myself lucky I was able to squeeze in a trip down to Whyte on the last day of the festival. The volunteers deserve a big thumbs up this year for having a stronger presence than in prior years and being so helpful and informative. I did have an issue with one of the volunteers working at the gate nearest the farmers market however....this was my friends first Fringe this year and not really knowing much about it she started walking past the drums they were using for donations without really noticing them. A lady in her mid forties then proceeded to get in her personal space and gave her a lecture about how donations are needed for things like the lighting and etc. I think I or anybody is more than happy to donate to such a wonderful festival but please don't take it upon yourself to get into my personal space and make me feel bad for not pulling out my wallet right away. The plays all looked fantastic and I genuinely wish that I had had the time and cash to see them all. I like that the actors are such an eclectic mix of professionals as well as people with typical 9-5 day jobs. I tend to want to see comedy and more adult themed plays at the Fringe and I was pleased I had a lot more to pick from this year then when I have gone in prior years. Some of the venues are quite a journey from Whyte though and I don't agree with this as those of us who work during the week and only had time to Fringe on the weekends either had to hop in our cars or deal with ETS's less than desirable weekend service options to get to some of the shows. Fringe food has definitely evolved as well and it was nice to have so much to choose from from wood oven fired pizza to designer cupcakes. I bought green onion cakes and lemonade and was pleased to see the plate and cup were environmentally friendly compostable. With all the disposable plates and cups about you would think there might be an issue with trash but the grounds were fairly tidy. The only litter I really noticed were stickers that they were giving away at the front gates. I love the Fringe and I am sad that it's over for yet another summer. I think the only thing that I really wish they would change would be to have the street performers in a larger area. They are usually near the food area and the congestion from people lining up for snacks as well as people stopping to watch the street performers can be tiresome and it is a problem I notice every year. Whether you're a tourist or an Edmonton local I sincerely hope you enjoyed Fringe 2013 and add Fringe 2014 to your list of must see summer activities. read more

So i checked out the fringe for the first time (ya I know!) and it was awesome! The atmosphere was fun and relaxed and the food and entertainment was great! I samples a lot of food and walked around a lot which made me feel a little bit better about getting 2 things of mini donuts. The entertainment was neat as I don't usually seek out performances like that, and I really enjoyed it! I highly recommend going if you haven't yet! read more

When I first saw the title for Mike Delamont's previous show, "God is a Scottish Drag Queen" I thought, "That explains a lot!" So it seems inevitable that , like George Burns, he would also play the Devil. This show doesn't disappoint, as Delamont's comedic chops are proven when he answers questions from the audience. My favourite: "How will we know when hell has frozen over?" Answer: "Sorry, you guys in Edmonton, you'll never notice." LMAO read more

I have avoided the Fringe for the last several years because I am not a fan of crowds - but this year, with a friend in town to entertain, I decided to suck it up and head down to old Strathcona. And I am so glad that I did! I can't say that every show I saw was a slam-dunk, but for the inexpensive cost of a ticket (around $12), it is well worth the chance you take. There is something for everyone - comedies, dramas, musicals, improv - and if you don't want to hand over some cash upfront to take a seat in a theatre, there are so many acts going on out in the streets that you can take in for the cost of whatever you can drop in the hat. And in addition to the standard festival fare of hot dogs and mini donuts, your dining options included indian food, health fare, crepes and taco-in-a-bag. If none of that sounds good to you, head over to the Next Act pub for a between show beer and some pulled pork nachos. I can't think of a better way to spend a week! read more

Forget the amazing shows - the corn-dogs are where it's at (just kidding...kinda - I'm pretty sure I made 3 or 4 extra trips just to get my corn-dog fix)!! Needless to say the atmosphere is fun and exciting, and the entertainment is out of this world awesome! I have seen shows and made memories that I will never forget. Each year I find myself getting more involved than the last, as each year seems to get better and better! A five star review for sure if it were not for the substantially increased traffic and outrageous lack of parking anywhere around Whyte during the festival. read more

This is an amazing fringe. I worked here for years with The Flaming Idiots. We only ever did the outdoor stages, but oh man, some of my finest hours performing were here. Since then I've returned to Edmonton for the Street Performers Festival and it's even better for how the performers are treated. Edmonton is just a great city that supports its arts scene. Love it. read more

I love the Fringe! Edmonton's summer theatre festival, located in parks and buildings in the Old Strathcona area, is a great way to spend two weeks of the summer on vacation in your own city. In the past, as a reviewer for a local publication, I saw about four plays a day throughout the festival. It was sometimes delightful, sometimes painful. I've seen some amazing shows and some not-so-amazing ones. But the spirit of fringe is benevolent and inclusive. If you have the will and desire to put on a Fringe play, all the power to you. Whether you want to take in shows or just enjoy the Fringe grounds and crowds, there's something for everyone at Fringe. Last year I saw a show calls Balls!, a funny, touching play about two best friends, who both had testicular cancer, one won the battle and one lost. A few years ago, I saw an interpretive dance solo that was greater torture than watching paint dry to the soundtrack of fingernails scratching on a blackboard. It's a very good idea to read the reviews in the local papers before you commit to a play. Oh, yeah, and don't forget to order the Chicken Bhouna on the Fringe grounds. It's a Fringe tradition. read more

Fringe Theatre Adventures - Go on a Fringe Binge. Photo courtesy of flickr.com. - Performing Arts Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

Despite growing up in Edmonton, this summer was the first year I experienced more at the famous Fringe Festival than the flavour of a green onion cake. Edmonton's Fringe is world-renowned; according to the website, it's North America's biggest and oldest, and this summer 207 companies put on over 1200 performances over 11 days in 27 venues. Yikes! I was reviewing shows for a local newspaper and attended a mind-boggling 18 plays over four days. They ranged from the absolutely spectacular to the "I'll never get this hour and a half of my life back" bad, the laugh-out-loud to the touching to the seriously boring. Plays at the Fringe are not just for theatre nuts; there's seriously something for everyone, but, as has been mentioned, as the shows are picked by a lottery it's hard to decide what to see. Investing in a program is a great idea; there are blurbs for all the shows plus a map showing the locations and addresses of the different venues. But if you're attending a show, I'd strongly recommend knowing exactly where it's playing and getting there with plenty of time; I was locked out of a venue after arriving a minute late due to poor navigational skills! read more

See also Edmonton International Fringe Theatre... So good, for so many years! No WONDER Edmonton is called Festival City!

What do you say about the fringe? It's as close as we get to culture. When you compare 1 of something to 0 of something, obviously 1 is better than 0... read more

Fringe is my favourite time of year in Edmonton!! Here are some tips to help navigate it, because it can be overwhelming! 1) If it's your first time, join the First Time Fringer program (info available online). These are free sessions each year with fringe veterans who give you tips on must-do's. Plus, you get a free program ($10 value) and a discount voucher for fringe tickets to whatever shows you like! 2) If you plan on seeing lots of shows, buy a Frequent Fringer Pass. You buy a set of 10 tickets, but they are a few bucks cheaper than buying them single, and you don't have to pay the extra fee on top of each ticket. The price might change each year, but last year it worked out to $11 per ticket with the pass vs. $15 per ticket (including fees) without. Also, buy them ASAP when they go on sale - online they sell out in minutes, and in person at the box office, lines are known to form hours ahead of time. 3) Fringe is not all plays! There's lots to be had for free (or by donation). Old Strathcona (mostly on 83 ave between Calgary Trail/104 st and Gateway Blvd/103 st) comes alive with 2 main stages with performers each hour (my favourites in years past have been Flow Bros' freestyle rap and Il Duo's opera with a pop twist), and dozens of buskers. 4) Yeah, yeah, the food stalls suck... check out some yummy neighbourhood eats instead, like MEAT, the Next Act Pub, Dadeo... 5) Line up early! At least 30 minutes if the show is sold out/popular. You can talk to others in line about shows they've seen/liked, and you'll probably be accosted (in the nicest way possible) by fringe artists promoting their shows. Even if you have no interest in them, take a flyer to use as a fan, especially in the venues that are not air conditioned (here's looking at you, King Edward School!) 6) Don't forget about the offsite venues - spend a day at La Cite Francophone (91 st and 85 ave) which always hosts a superb collection of plays (and a small market), and there are venues downtown too. Bonus is that these venues are less crowded. 7) If you want to read reviews before buying tickets (and before it's too late), check out the Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Calgary news media - they have fringe festivals before Edmonton's, and many of the same plays playing in Edmonton have already been reviewed there! 8) Buy tickets early, especially for closing weekend. As time goes on and reviews come out (check Vue Weekly, Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun), the ones with 4+ star reviews sell out quickly. 9) My suggestions for good bets (these are performers that work the fringe circuit year after year): anything with Wonderheads, Martin Dockery, TJ Dawe, Sam Mullins, Peter n Chris, Teatro La Quindicina, God is a Scottish Drag Queen, Gordon's Big Bald Head, Scratch... but there are so many! 10) Transit vs. Car? There technically IS free street parking (especially after hours) on many of the side streets in Old Strathcona, but come fringe it can be hard to find a spot. The main fringe site is a 25 minute walk from Health Sciences/Jubilee LRT station (or faster by bus that goes down Whyte Ave). Also, an added bonus to buying a paper copy of the program (although this is not needed- all the showtimes are online) is that there are coupons redeemable for free bus tickets each day of the fringe, so your bus home is free. See you at the fringe!! read more

I took my children and my mother to the fringe on Sunday....I am really not going to point out who, but do all the performers get drunk together the night before and share the same joke .The same statue joke, same fart joke , same make the child earn the money . It's really a pity the performances are fantastic, then to have the rest almost scripted .|The standard I earn a living doing the speech where one performer actually told you what amount he wanted from each person. no folks it not a joke not the the red one is ten dollars. The classier performers know people are having a hard time asked for an hand shake if you could not afford to contribute. I know the world is becoming a harder place , but are all the butt and gay jokes really called for? The fringe is for fun , its hard to ignore half the performance because is not original or it puts down a group of people that have been demoralized though the years. I have gone religiously to the fringe . I love the concept and the performances but this year, I found I was waiting to long and looking at my watch when the same material showed up in the act . I really enjoyed the shows and the street performers acts, but the fill in comments, were hard to ignore. read more

The Edmonton Fringe Festival is one of those things you can't miss. Each year I take multiple days off work to try and fit in as many shows as I can. Shows can get a bit expensive (usually $10-20 a show) but for live theatre and supporting the arts community I don't really mind. read more

having grown up in edmonton, i have had the chance to take in the fringe a few times. i have always enjoyed the variety of performances that are available, but overall i still prefer the street performers festival in downtown, maybe it is just because i take the time to enjoy it. if you go to the fringe be prepared to spend spend spend. read more