The Orlando International Fringe Festival Begins!

Posted on by Thor

I finally had a chance to go to Lock Haven Park to experience the Fringe Festival. In all my years in Orlando I have never been to the Fringe. I am a true Fringe virgin. When you enter Lock Haven Park the first thing you see is the sculpture titled “The Rocket Thrower” by Donald DeLue. For the Fringe he has a sporty Fringe tee shirt around his neck. Behind him on the green lawn of fabulousness are all the colorful tents of the food vendors, and an outdoor stage. The first impression is of entering a carnival.

The first thing I did was check out the Visual Fringe which is located in a round room inside the Shakespeare theater. A small sketch I did of Wayburn Sassy at a Fringe preview was on display. I am astounded by the talented artists that had work in the show. I am hoping that over time I will get to meet some of these artists and sketch them at work so I can share there work here. Anna McCambridge who runs the Visual Fringe welcomed me with a warm hug. I immediately felt at home at the Fringe.

While I did this sketch a young blond girl sat down next to the statue in the blazing sun probably waiting for a friend. She lasted a full 15 minutes in the sun before she then moved over to a shady spot and started using her cell phone. I sketched her in both locations so I had more of the human drama. As I was working on the details of the tents and food stations, I glanced up to find she was gone. I am not sure if she met her friend or not.

Visual Fringe Artist Dropoff

Posted on by Thor

The Fringe Festival is a 12 day festival that is founded on the concept of offering 100% unjuried, 100% uncensored, 100% accessible theater. music, dance, art and madness of all types and ages where 100% of the box office ticket sales go directly back to the artists within the Fringe. The Orlando Fringe is the longest running US Fringe festival.
At the last minute I found out about Visual Fringe which is a showcase for local artists during the Fringe Festival. On hand to accept artist entries were, Visual Fringe Producer Anna McCambridge and her mom as well as Director of Development Kristina Goetz. After I filled out the paperwork and finalized my submission, I sat back and started my first Fringe sketch. These three dedicated souls sat at this table from 12 noon till 6pm accepting art.
While I was sketching one artist came in and entered paintings for his girlfriend. He explained his trials and tribulations of the morning and Anna agreed to make a phone call to his girlfriend explaining the sacrifices he had made and that on behalf of the Fringe he deserved extra special treatment that night such as a back rub or nice dinner. To her credit, Anna actually made that call and she had never met the girlfriend or artist before. Now that is someone who is going the extra mile for the arts.

Central Florida Fair

Posted on by Thor

A Fringe Preview was held at the Central Florida Fair. I gave myself plenty of time to wander the midway and soak in the sights, sounds and smells of the fair. At the entry ticket booth the computer had died so I spent some time at the entrance watching the pigs being prepared for a showing. The thick barnyard smell was overwhelming for a city slicker like myself. When the computer was back up, I got my ticket and started to wander. I stopped under the only shady tree in sight and sketched the Ferris Wheel. I was off the main drag near a tent where rosters where making a ruckus. It is rather relaxing working to the chorus of clucking and crowing.

Wayburn Sassy and the Fringe Preview

Posted on by Thor

At the last minute I got a tip from reader, Dewey Chaffee that there was going to be a Fringe preview at the Central Florida Fair. As I arrived there was Wayburn Sassy shouting at the passers by trying to get them to come in to see the show. He used every carnies trick in the book with insults and curses thrown in for good measure. What I love about Wayburn is that he is not afraid to speak his mind. Whatever thought pops into his head is immediately shouted out. Wayburn is a hoot and I hope to catch him again at the Fringe Festival.

The Fringe performances were wonderful. Two acts particularly stood out for me. They were Varie Tease and Voci Dance. Varie Tease had amazing Moulin Rouge like costumes and tense exuberant dance moves. Voci dance was a modern dance troup and the performances were sublime. There is something very rewarding about watching cutting edge performances at a culture deprived event such as the Central Florida Fair. I left the Fringe preview feeling elated and confident that the arts are indeed alive in Central Florida.