Fringe North 2021 launches with downtown watch party

The fifth annual Fringe North Festival will be held as a virtual event this year, with over 40 local, national and international artists coming together to showcase their talents. 

“Fringe North is a theatre arts and culture festival. We always hope to provide accessible, affordable arts experiences for everyone,” said Tova Arbus, artistic producer for Fringe North. 

“We usually have activities for kids, music, circus arts, busker performances, magic shows, traditional theatre shows and puppet shows. The whole spectrum of celebrating the arts. We’ve gone virtual this year in response to all of the 'new normal' changes that COVID has brought us, but I really feel like folks can Fringe wherever they’re at,” she said. 

“At this point I am so thrilled with the festival we’ve put together this year. I have an incredible team of folks who have been working really hard with so much care and dedication. We had an outstanding response to our call out for artist submissions, by far the best response that we’ve gotten compared to every other year,” Arbus said. 

The festival begins this Wednesday and will run until Sunday, Aug. 22. It can be streamed via live shows on YouTube. Fringe North is a pay-what-you-can event, so after purchasing a ticket for $12 or less, you will receive links to the shows that you’ve selected that will stream at the designated times. 

Although the festival will be virtual, Fringe wants to keep that sense of togetherness that usually comes with the in-person shows by hosting four watch parties for the festival. 

Community members can come out and watch the festival on Wednesday at Outspoken Brewing, at The Klub Community Wellness Centre on Thursday, at Maker North on Friday, and at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum on Saturday. Admission for the watch parties is by donation, with the suggested amount being $10. Admission to the museum is included with Saturday’s watch party. 

“These artists are amazing and they’ve had to go through so much trying to work as an artist and stay relevant, especially during COVID. We look at arts and culture as the heartbeat of community, so we hope that folks will Fringe with us this week,” Arbus said. 

Anyone is welcome to call Tova Arbus at 705-975-0761 with any questions they may have about this year’s Fringe North festival.

BrianT & The Sinister Hearts: Northern Superior Tap Room

Aug. 18

BrianT & The Sinister Hearts will be playing a solo gig this Wednesday, Aug. 18 at the Northern Superior Brewing Tap Room starting at 6 p.m. BrianT hopes that the community will join him for some tunes and brews. He will also be playing at Outspoken Brewing on Saturday, Aug. 21 starting at 8 p.m. 

Let's Mis-bee-hive, Come Out and Jive!

August 21

Entomica Insectarium is hosting an event this Saturday, Aug. 21 from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre to raise funds and support local. The social fundraiser, Let's Mis-bee-hive, Come Out and Jive!, is a bee-themed in celebration of National Honey Bee Day. Admission for the event is by donation, with a $5 minimum donation per person. East Street Pizza, Georgie's Shawarma, the Copper Bean Cafe, Elliott's Ice Cream and OutSpoken Brewing will be catering. There will also be live music and a dance floor. 

Rolling Pictures: Trifecta of Artist/Mother Events

Aug. 21

The latest Art X event by Rolling Pictures will be a trifecta of artist/mother events curated by local artist/mother Annie King and produced by Robert Peace. The second of the three art events is called Many Hats, and its goal is to highlight the many roles mothers who are also artists play in the lives of others. The event will feature short biographical videos of each artist, live entertainment and refreshments.

“We are once again thrilled that the arts community has come together to put on this wonderful exhibit,” said Rolling Pictures community relations director Robert Peace, in a news release issued by Rolling Pictures. The other two events, called Multitudes and Mother Maker, will be held at 180 Projects and the Sault Ste. Marie Museum. All three events will open on Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. 

Outdoor Yoga

Aug. 23

Angela Koppens from KoppensFit will be hosting an outdoor yoga class on Monday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at White Pines Collegiate. All you need is a mat, water and sunglasses. The outdoor yoga class will be weather permitting, and cost is $8 per person. More information can be found by emailing [email protected]. 

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