Vancouver Fringe Festival September 7, 2006

The first Vancouver Fringe Festival took place in 1985. Now in its 21st year, it has become an annual event and a September ritual.

Every year, close to 100 theatre groups and performers from across Canada and around the the world perform for 11 days in diverse venues, from theatres to garages to a moving Aquabus.

The idea of a Fringe Festival was born in Edinburgh 55 years ago. Central to the global Fringe ideology is Access for All.

With its mandate of "Theatre for Everyone", the Vancouver Fringe has always remained true to this philosophy. As a result, it has grown into one of the most popular and populist events on Vancouver's cultural calendar.

The Vancouver Fringe Festival belongs to the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals and follows four rules: performers are selected either by a lottery or on a first-come, first-served basis; show content is uncensored; 100% of the box office goes to the performesr; and ticket prices are kept at an accessible rate.

The Vancouver Fringe Testival is part of a worldwide network of annual Fringe festivals. It is produced by the First Vancouver TheatreSpace Society.

Official Website: http://www.vancouverfringe.com/