In a move that means a large-scale free community event can be delivered in a COVID-safe way, the opening night of Mount Gambier’s Fringe Festival ‘FRINGELAND’ on March 25 will be held at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds.
The Fringey fun will include street performers, stalls, acrobatics, visual arts, performing arts, live music and all the Fringe roving performers you have come to expect from a Fringe festival.
But the party does not stop there, a Fringe bus will see you looping throughout venues across Mount Gambier as you follow the Fringe circuit.
Jump on and off the free bus and follow the performers as they head off to see a roving dance piece by Lewis Major in the Cave Gardens or visit one of the many CBD venues hosting opening night events.
Fringe week will see open access events across the city, including the return of the Le Haus of Butt performers at Metro Bakery and Cafe featuring crowd favourite Ophelia Butt (pictured), as well as comedy nights, jazz and live music events, magic performances and much more.
Some favourite Fringe venues are returning to join the festival fun, including the Limestone Coast Pantry, Jen’s Hotel, Apple Farm, Echo Farm, the Mount Gambier Bowling Club and more.
Registrations are currently still open so it’s not too late for more presenters and venues to register at fringemountgambier.com.au.
FringeOUT also includes a program of activities in Mount Gambier aged care facilities and schools, with local and touring performers hosting mini-concerts and workshops to make sure everyone everywhere gets to experience Fringe.
This initiative, which began in 2021 as a way to counter COVID restrictions, brought a lot of joy to those who otherwise would not be able to participate in Fringe and will be expanded in 2022 thanks to the support of the Stand Like Stone Foundation.
No Fringe is complete without a FringeUP program, and as always businesses, schools and homes are being encouraged to place an emphasis on the Fringe colour blue, however this year the theme ‘Out of this world’ will use stars, planets, aliens and furry monsters for inspiration.
Prizes will be on offer for each category and will be judged based on the effort and relativity to the theme.
The best business will receive a full-page advertorial from The SE Voice.
Decorations will need to be on display from the start of March to be eligible.
For updates on the Fringe program be sure to follow Fringe Mount Gambier on social media, and email contact@fringemountgambier.com.au for any inquiries on how to be involved.
