The St. Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival has grown in leaps and bounds, often literally, over the last 25 years. It is a celebration of theatre, dance, language and even air guitar, that draws Montrealers and visitors alike, into some great venues.
From June 1st to the 21st, 250 volunteers help the staff of 40 get into the festival spirit. Amy Blackmore, executive director and artistic director, describes it as “a kind of anything goes kind-of festival.” She says that translates into a wide variety of entertainment.
ListenOne of the buzzed-about acts this year comes from San Francisco. Christian Cagigal brings his Obscura show to Montreal, and described as “an intimate evening of theatre, illusion, and magic”, it is sure to go over in the home of Cirque du Soleil.
Montreal’s Fringe Fest is not the oldest in Canada, that honour goes to Edmonton, Alberta, but Montreal’s is the only bilingual event, in that it includes both French and English experiences. It’s something the entertainers appreciate as it allows them to meet each other in a place where language can still divide and isolate. And the opportunity to “Buy an Artist a Beer” initiative allows for great artistic exchanges at the ‘Fringe Park’.
Next week-end, Mini-Fringe is the free-event that welcomes parents to introduce another generation to a variety of family-friendly activities, leaving them too, with some interesting memories of June in Montreal.
And in this milestone year, there’s an event planned for June 19th. The 25th Anniversary Silver Reunion Party is sure to be a walk down memory lane for the some of the innovators in the festiva’ls early years.
And just to note, the winner of tomorrow’s Quebec Air Guitar Championship, will go on to the national competition in Toronto, and the winner of that, will represent Canada in the global round in Finland.
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