Fringe Festival Preview

This weekend was filled with all sorts of entertainment!

Friday started with a drive down to Sarasota to perform at the 2012 Dick Vitale Gala.  The three of us were hired to wear college shirts, sparkly shorts and perform cheer style dancing to the sounds Motown R&B group, The Spinners.

For an hour and a half I felt like I was an NBA dancer again.  I held pom pons and busted out my old go-to moves, seen on the Orlando Magic court from 2007-11.

Easy enough.

Sunday morning, Scott and I attended Sunday School and service with my parents at the church I grew up at in Longwood.  It was bountiful bonnet Sunday, which is why you see me wearing one.

Directly after service, my mother, grandmother and I attended a Presbyterian Women Mother Daughter Tea.  As soon as we entered the reception area, my mom led me to sit at a table with my former Kindergarten teacher!

It really is such a small world.

Re-visiting the church made me realize how long it had been since I’d been there.  Scott and I have joined our own church community at First Baptist Orlando, but it’s nice to pop back in every now and then.

I had a great afternoon with some very special women in my life.

Fringe Festival Preview

Fringe is a music, arts, theatre and dance festival made up of local, national and international artists.  The festival hosts artists of all types of backgrounds, personalities and topics who often take their shows all over the United States.

Performing in The Fringe has become careers for some, and one hundred percent of the ticket sales go directly to the artists of each show.

Orlando has the longest running festival, lasting thirteen consecutive days.  Scott and I have been Fringing for years, since it’s practically in our backyard.  Located in Loch Haven Park (north of downtown) Orlando Fringe has been around for for twenty-one seasons!

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This year, The Orlando Fringe offered something new: The National & International Fringe Preview.

Last Thursday, we made sure to attend a two hour preview to scope out all the out-of-town traveling acts.  From dancers and singers to comics and contortionists, the line-up was all over the map.

Some people tell unbelievable true stories, while others completely wing their shows, basing it on audience influence and participation.

It seems as though no topic can be deemed inappropriate, and artists (and most audience members alike) aren’t afraid to raise eyebrows.

The only thing to expect at The Fringe is the unexpected.

With that said, prepare yourself for judgement free, uncensored, wonderfully interesting shows at the Fringe Festival.

Read more about The Fringe Mission & History.

Besides crazies, The Fringe produces fun for the entire family with Kids Fringe.  Between shows, you can grab a variety of festival food on the lawn, or pass time at the Beer Tent.

Scott and I have spent many days bouncing from one show to the next, only stopping for food and fresh air.

The Fringe is something we look forward to every year, and with shows averaging $8 – $12 a person, it’s an affordable way to enjoy theater while supporting the arts.

Scott and I have become regulars and invite anyone who enjoys being entertained to attend, including my parents.

Have I sold you yet?

😉

How To Fringe

The Orlando Fringe runs from May 16 – 28th.  Shows begin at 5 PM on weekdays and at 11 AM on weekends. The last show begins at Midnight.

For a show times and descriptions, information and FAQs, visit the Orlando Fringe website.  If you live outside Orlando, here’s a list of national and international cities that host one.

How To Fringe by Housewife Glamour:

– Allow plenty of time: You want to allow enough time to find a parking spot, buy your show tickets and find the right theater – especially on the weekends.  Shows start right on time (to the minute) and there is no late entry once the doors close.

– Research shows: Note the shows you are interested in and map out a show schedule before you arrive.  Each show is rated General – Mature, and you can read bios, ratings and even download the fringe app to help plan out your day.

– Buy a button: To see any show, you need to buy a Fringe Button (cash only) for $8.  Although you can purchase show tickets online, you have to make your one-time button purchase at the box office.

– Purchase tickets: You can buy tickets online, or in person at the box office.

– Take a load off: grab a drink, sit back and enjoy the show!

Scott’s been to a few shows already, and I’ve been to one: a musical comedy based on the lives of theme park performers called Theme Park Diva.  Lookout for my tweets updating my must-see shows list, and read other reviews by searching under #OrlandoFringe.

I’m excited to see more shows!  Tonight we are planning on seeing one a friend of mine is dancing in called Connected.  I’ll be sure to update you later this week with the best (and not so best) of the Orlando Fringe!