In 2006 the first Calgary Fringe ran with 36 theatre companies and 210 performances, mostly outdoors along 17 Avenue SW. Today it sits in Inglewood, where you can stroll from one show to the next, grab a coffee between acts and not need a map. Getting there took a few tries.
A Fringe is an open-access festival, an idea that began in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1947. Emerging and established artists share the same stage. There’s no jury deciding who gets in. Artists are chosen through first-come intake, a lottery or another approved method. Performers love the next bit: they keep 100 per cent of their ticket price, minus taxes. Edmonton’s Fringe, the one that inspired Calgary’s, draws nearly 800,000 attendees a year.
Calgary’s Fringe founder, Blair Gallant, fell for the community feeling of the Edmonton Fringe while touring a production of Rocky Horror. That spark helped start the festival you can visit now. The Calgary Fringe calls itself a boutique Fringe, sitting between Winnipeg and Edmonton on the Canadian circuit. Smaller, friendlier, a bit cozier.
Then the festival hunted for the right spot. In 2007 it became an indoor festival downtown, with venues at the Glenbow Museum, Arts Commons and the Legion. In 2008 it moved to historic Inglewood, where venues sit within walking distance of each other. It’s stayed in that neighbourhood since.
Think boutique. The festival runs about nine days and averages around 30 shows a year, so you can really sample it. Alongside the theatre you’ll find street performers, vendors, visual art, a film festival and live music. That’s a lot of fun packed into a handful of Inglewood blocks.
Inglewood works because Fringe is all about wandering. You catch one show, chat with strangers in line, then wander to the next, and small neighbourhood streets make that easy. If you love Calgary’s theatre scene, you’ll also enjoy the story of Keith Johnstone and Loose Moose, which comes from the same improvisational, risk-taking spirit.
Mark your calendar for the next Fringe and pick a show you know nothing about.
Sources: Calgary Fringe, What Is Fringe; Wikipedia, Calgary Fringe Festival.
There’s more where this came from. Start with Fargo Hides Its Minnesota in Calgary’s Inglewood, or jump to Wagonstage Has Been Bringing Plays to Calgary Parks Since 1971.
Related reading from us: Calgary’s Downtown Lunch Hour Once Came With a Play and How Alberta Ballet Found Its Calgary Home.
Quick answers
The first Calgary Fringe ran in 2006 with 36 theatre companies and 210 performances, mostly outdoors along 17 Avenue SW. It moved indoors downtown in 2007 and settled in historic Inglewood in 2008, where it has stayed since.
The Calgary Fringe takes place in Inglewood, where the venues sit within walking distance of each other. The festival runs about nine days and averages around 30 shows a year, along with street performers, vendors, visual art, a film festival and live music.
A Fringe is an open access festival, so no jury decides who gets in. Artists are chosen through first come intake, a lottery or another approved method. Performers also keep 100 per cent of their ticket price, minus taxes.
