The Bizarre, the Beautiful and the Busty - London's Alternative Fringe Festival

As part of the Fringe Festival that launches in London for the first time on 1st August 2010, the Alternative Fringe will also be lighting up the capital’s performance venues with a special blend of the bizarre and the beautiful, the sizzling and the seedy.

The new addition to London’s summer calendar promises to thrill and inspire show goers with all kinds of oddball entertainment and titillating shenanigans. A jam-packed schedule will see the city buzzing with a host of alternative acts performing music, cabaret, vaudeville, burlesque, experimental theatre, live art, circus and street performance.

The month long celebration of fringe theatre involves a total of 52 shows in 31 venues concentrated into four zones of the city – in the centre of both the West End and the East End, together with Camden and Islington in the North, Battersea and Vauxhall in the South. You can also expect to find numerous street performances and other unusual activities around the city centre, particularly in Convent Garden, Trafalgar Square and near the London Eye. Or why not strap on some brooks running shoes and go for an adventure with Sockmob, a fascinating guided walk giving an insight into the lives and story’s of London’s homeless.

The festival officially kicks-off with a Finger In The Pie Cabaret Showcase on Sunday 1^st August at the infamous Madame Jo Jo’s and features the best of the alternative fringe. With an overwhelming choice of shows to choose from, it might be a good place to start! To boost the Alternative Fringe the Wam Bam Club at the Café de Paris on Coventry Street is lending its support and will be hosting an explosive cocktail of comedy and burlesque on consecutive Saturday’s from the 7^th to the 28^th August.

For more information about the London Fringe Festival and the Alterntive Fringe Festival details are available in Time Out, the Fringe Festival brochure or by visiting their websites at http://londonfestivalfringe.com and http://www.alternativefringe.co.uk/Home.html

Review: Buxton Fringe Festival

Buxton Fringe Festival started in 1980 and has been run concurrently with the most popular and renowned Buxton Festival. High profile literary composers will hold seminars and talks, and international operas will take the center stage in this event.

The festival is growing from strength to strength every passing year and now has a professional and respected image. There is now a colored brochure, multiple pvc banners hung out to advertise shows, prize money and reviews for all shows. Many promising artists take this event as a warm up before they appear at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The festival also provides stages to performers and artists alike in a number of venues. Dance, music, drama, comedy, poetry, exhibitations, film, and magic are just some of the forms that have appeared in this joyous and keenly-awaited event. All the genres are accepted and encouraged.

The Fringe Committee refrains from undertaking selection, financing, censorship or selective promotion of the events held. In 2009, over 500 events featuring over 140 entrants were showcased in the event.

The fringe festival is a proud member of and was recognized by British Arts Festival Association.(BAFA). the festival is a charity event and is run by generous volunteers. The belief here is that art belongs to people, not only to the elite. It involves both the audience and the artist making it an inclusive show. Artists are provided with a receptive environment to showcase their talent and this comes at a low cost compared to other events. Artists are also encouraged to experiment and take risk in order to bring out their best.

The audience at this event is encouraging and enthusiastic. The artists can perform anything they feel like. No selection is made before an artist goes live in front of the audience for a performance. As per rule, this event doesn’t promote any special interest of any artists.