How To Fringe
FRINGE FUNDAMENTALS
The Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF) is unique in the world, and one of Canada’s most authentic cultural phenomena. For decades now, CAFF has been a staunch promoter and protector of popular and community art, and now boasts 21 member festivals across the continent. Fringe Festivals all have to follow three simple rules – apart from that, the rest is up to you…
• All shows at the Fringe must be chosen at random by lottery or first come/first served. The Toronto Fringe received almost 700 applications last year for 130 spots.
• 100% of the ticket price is returned to artists. Last year, CAFF festivals returned $5,424,587 to 1200 companies.
• We will never intervene in the artistic content of participating productions. These are your stories, this is your art.
145 COMPANIES, DOZENS OF VENUES, SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO...
make the most of your Fringe experience with these little suggestions:
1. Start at the Fringe Club Behind Honest Ed's (581 Bloor St. W.) – The Club is where artists, audiences, staff and volunteers come to meet, share information and have fun. With nightly food service, music, art, debate and a late-night cabaret, you can start and end your Fringe days in the middle of all the action.
2. Stay Informed - Between the Program Guide, our website, our twitter feed (@Toronto_Fringe and #fringeTO) and the Fringe Harold, you’ll know everything we know. Our incredible new media partners, NOW Magazine, can tell you the rest – check out www.nowtoronto.com for reviews, gossip and user-submitted debate.
3. There's Always More to See at The Fringe – Not only can you catch an extra performance of each venue’s hottest show on the last day of the festival with the Patrons’ Pick, but some of the sell-outs you missed will be playing at the Best Of The Fringe extension – check out www.tocentre.com for the “Best of the Fringe Uptown” at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.
4. Take a Chance – The wonder of the Fringe is that you never really know what you’re going to see. The four star shows may not be your cup of tea, and the “one star wonders” can sometimes be the most fun. Make sure you chat up your neighbour in line or the artist in the tent to uncover that hidden gem.
5. Know your Neighbourhood - Once you’ve created your list of plays to attend, check our venue map to find the location of the theatres. There’s limited parking around many Fringe sites, so we suggest you use public transit, cycle or walk. Give yourself plenty of time - there are absolutely no latecomers admitted to shows.
