The 34th Edmonton International Fringe Festival is running full-throttle. Tickets went on sale yesterday for 200 plus shows running Aug. 13 to 23 at Old Strathcona.
The theme for the 11-day festival is SupercaliFRINGEistic, a special homage to Mary Poppins, everyone’s favourite magical nanny.
“Our theme this year speaks to the silly in all of us, the child that relied only on his or her imagination and the pure joy when we get to play. In a word, ‘fun,’ and the Fringe, after all, is whole lot of just that,” said artistic director Murray Utas.
Single tickets are priced at up to $13 – artists set their own prices. There are also Frequent Fringer passes available, priced at $100 for 10. Tickets and can be purchased in person at the ATB Financial Arts Barns’ box office, by calling 780-409-1910 or online at fringetheatre.ca.
The Japanese fantasy world of anime takes over MacEwan University from Aug. 7 to 9. However, Animethon’s formal kick-off is Thursday night with the Starlight Masquerade Ball.
For the lucky ones attending, the floor will be filled with fancy gowns, kimonos, hanfu, saris, suits, tuxes, kilts and military/ceremonial attire.
But even if you miss this event, you can still bust your moves at two dances – the Friday Night Dance with DJ Raving Dragon and at Saturday Night Fever with DJ AvereoX.
Flow, a household name in Japan, is this year’s special guest band. The five-piece rockers quickly ascended to the top of the charts when its 2004 single GO!!! was chosen as the opening song for Naruto. The anime series was massively popular in Japan and GO!!! became the first of Flow’s many anime theme songs.
Throughout the three-day event, Cosplay is at work with contests, a full-blown pageant and even a repair station for ripped costumes.
Visitors will discover dozens upon dozens of panels ranging from an aikido demonstration, a Beyblade tournament and digital Manga techniques to Hetalia unleashed, mystery science fan fiction and Studio Ghibli Jeopardy.
For competitive risk takers, the gaming hall will be packed with high stakes players needing a gaming fix. Tournaments are scheduled from Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrity guests include voice actors Josh Grelle, Christine Marie Cabanos, Sarah Williams, Carrie Keranen, Brendan Hunter, Jamie Marchi and Brina Palencia. Animethon is also extending a special welcome to international Cosplayer Liui Aquino.
For more activity information, visit animethon.org.
