The Ottawa Fringe Festival takes over the city this summer
- Ottawa Travel Guide
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- Friday, 08 June 2012 15:16
Fringe festivals can be a fantastic opportunity for travellers to explore the city's unique underground culture. Individuals taking tours of Ottawa this summer can experience this city's version of the celebration at its annual Fringe Festival, held June 14-24.
The idea of fringe festivals was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in the 1940s. Organizers wanted to plan an alternative event alongside the Edinburgh International Festival that included all types of performers without having to go through a rigorous selection process, which may be slightly more risque than mainstream choices.
The event in Canada's capital city will include dozens of comedians, dancers, actors and musicians at various venues throughout Ottawa, including at the Arts Court Theatre and the University of Ottawa. Some performers will even take to the streets and stage impromptu shows.
According to the Ottawa Citizen, this year's repertoire of performers will be more vibrant and fun than ever before, with a focus on clown shows, musicals and dance. Artists participating are free to experiment with their pieces and travellers can choose to see one or a dozen acts during their time at the event.
"[Travellers] need to go with a completely open mind. Suspension of disbelief is even more important for the Fringe," Natalie Joy Quesnel, executive producer of the festival, told the news source. "I've heard people say they've gone with the preconceived notion they'd be seeing something perfectly polished, and they were disappointed. If you go with no expectations and just live in the moment, you'll often find things that are quite wonderful."
Some of the shows will include a Scottish rendition of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and a new musical that takes place right in Ottawa called Crux about alternative universes. On the official website, guests can peruse the various performances and see what will be playing, categorized by genre, maturity rating, dates or titles.
Tourists interested in experiencing the Ottawa Fringe Festival can either buy passes for numerous shows or purchase individual tickets at the door of most performances. Individuals with children can also bring their little ones along, as the event hosts drama camp for kids during the day to encourage an appreciation for the arts.
