Calgary Fringe Blog

Hellllooooooo everyone!

Thanks again to EVERYONE who participated in the 2010 Calgary Fringe Festival – as artists, volunteers and patrons. We are grateful for your continued support and are very pleased with how the festival went this year. We look forward to many more years of Fringe madness!

We are in the midst of recruiting volunteers to assist us in our major fundraising efforts by participating in our casino event. Your help is needed to make this a success! We need volunteers to help out on the 2 days of the casino event being held Wednesday, September 8 and Thursday, September 9, 2010 at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino – 1000, 11500 – 35 Street SE. This is a great opportunity to help the Calgary Fringe Festival continue to grow and support theatre arts.

Benefits for you:

* You get a free meal from the restaurant/kiosk – one which is likely to be pretty great!

* You can do a lot of people-watching for future character studies (you would not believe the amazing personalities you’ll encounter there to watch and learn from!)

* You can network with other Calgary Fringe peeps/actors and generally kibitz and schmooze and have fun!

* You get a free Calgary Fringe T-Shirt and one free Volunteer Show Pass to any 2011 Calgary Fringe indoor theatre show (oooOOOOooooo!!)

* You get warm fuzzies from assisting the Calgary Fringe with their fundraising efforts, and from helping us meet the numbers we need to ensure the event runs smoothly)

Please (please pretty please with a cherry on top!) take a moment to check your schedule to see if you can assist for one or both days of the casino. There are lots of different positions to fill, so we need lots of different people! For a list and description of available positions, click or follow this link:

http://aglc.ca/casino/volunteerrequirements.asp

Please follow this link for the Casino Volunteer Worker Application form required by Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission:

http://www.aglc.ca/pdf/gaming/gaming_forms/5400.pdf

Please take a moment to fill it out and either e-mail the form to our new Volunteer Co-ordinator, Tami Rothery, at volunteer@calgaryfringe.ca or fax it in at (403) 236-0662.

NOTE: only those applying for General Manager, Alternate General Manager, Banker, Cashier or Count Room Supervisor volunteer positions are required to fill out this form. For all other positions, all you need to bring is a form of picture ID such as a student ID card or driver’s license.

Something to be aware of:
When you are volunteering for a casino event such as this, Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission stresses that our volunteers are NOT permitted to gamble at any time throughout the duration of the two day casino event, and are not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages during their shift(s). This is something mentioned on the website above, but it’s something a many people overlook, so please keep this in mind and forgive our rare but necessary moment of formality!

Please return your completed form to us and/or advise us as to what position you would like to volunteer for and during what shift as soon as possible! You can email it to volunteer@calgaryfringe.ca.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of the Calgary Fringe Festival!

Thanks to our many Fringe patrons who came out in droves to see the many fine Fringe theatre productions … and there were many of those!  You are true Patrons and Supporters of the Arts, and you help fuel the artists to allow them to continue to share their wonderful talents with the people.

Thanks to our Fringe artists for putting on such fantastic shows … and for sharing your warmth, fun, and incredible talents with us Calgarians.  I love you all and feel so grateful to have met such amazing individuals.

Thanks to our Fringe volunteers for being so nice, helpful, playful, and enthusiastic … and for making everyone’s Fringe experience memorable.  We seriously could NOT have put on an event like this without your help, energy, and support.  We couldn’t function without you!

Thanks to our Fringe board members and staff who worked countless months and hours in preparation for this event … all with big smiles, warm hugs and enthusiastic energy  Your support throughout the year was appreciated more than you can possibly know!

Thanks to our Fringe venues for letting us invade your space for two weeks, and for allowing us to convert your spaces into makeshift theatres for our Fringe artists to perform in and for patrons to enjoy.  You threw open your arms wide to welcome us in … with warmth and grace.

Thanks to our Fringe techs, who worked diligently and efficiently in converting these found venue spaces into an indoor theatre in which our Fringe artists could perform … without you, there would be no lights, no sound, no staging.  No theatre!

Thanks to our Inglewood merchants and BRZ members for staying open special Fringe hours and offering special discounts so that more people could take in your wonderful stores, restaurants/cafes, and shops … we’ve heard nothing but wonderful compliments from everyone how nice you all were, how wonderful your establishments were, and what a beautiful and warm neighbourhood Inglewood is.  You certainly opened peoples’ eyes to the wonderful delights of Inglewood!

Thanks to our many sponsors, donors and supporters … know that you are all loved and appreciated for everything that you have contributed in making the Calgary Fringe Festival a reality.

Thanks to everyone in the city for being behind us … encouraging and cheering us on.  Giving us a hand up and pats on the back when we needed it.  You are true heroes and champions of the Arts cause.

To each and every one … my most heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all that you have done and continue to do.  You all truly ROCK MY WORLD!

Thanks … see you all in 2011!

BIG hugs,

Michele Gallant
Festival Director/Producer
Phone: (403) 451-9726
Fax: (403) 236-0662
Cell:  (403) 397-7260
E-mail:  michele@calgaryfringe.ca
Website:  www.calgaryfringe.ca

Best of Fest winners to be announced at 10 am on Wed Aug 3 in front of our Info Booth tent located on the corner of 9th Ave and 12th Str SE.  Carly and her Angels will be presented with the first annual Fringe Star of Fame award … and she will reveal the Best of Fest winners of the 2010 Calgary Fringe Festival.  The winners will have a special encore presentation of their show Sat Aug 7 @ 1 pm.

Can you believe it?! Calgary Fringe Festival 2010 starts in TEN DAYS. It’s next Friday!!

Are you ready for some FUN??!! Check www.calgaryfringe.com to see schedules, artist reviews and more. Be sure to check out our Patron Day Specials!

Just a reminder – tickets are NOW ON SALE, through our website, as of July 1st. Check out the schedule, apply to volunteer, get information on the shows AND MORE! All this at www.calgaryfringe.com.

Check out our Patron Day Specials on August 3rd, 4th and 5th:
Tuesday August 3rd is SENIOR’S DAY! See a show for only $10 per person, per show, if you’re over 55.

Wednesday August 4th is BFF at the CFF! (aka Ladies Night!) See a show with your bestie, and get a commemmorative wristband with the purchase of your first ticket that day.

Thursday August 5th is Date Night! Look around for restaurant discounts available with the flash of your Fringe badge.

Also, remember Best of Fest! YOU tell US what’s top-notch. You can vote before August 3rd at midnight, either via Golden Ticket ballot at the Info Booth, or by visiting our website, clicking See The Fringe!, then SHOWS, then Best of Fest and visiting the survey link provided there.

ARE YOU EXCITED YET?!

The Calgary Fringe Festival Society will be holding a General Meeting on Wednesday July 28, 2010, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Lantern Church in Inglewood.

1401 – 10th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB, T2G0X1 – Click here for a map to the Lantern Church.

This is your opportunity to participate in one of Calgary’s most exciting festivals. If you are passionate about live theatre, or interested in learning more, please join us to learn about the society and to help in setting the course for future festivals and events.

The agenda will include, but not be limited to:

1. Approval of Agenda
2. Review and Motion to amend by-laws
3. Election of Officers: Treasurer
4. New Business
5. Adjournment

Please RSVP with your intent to attend to: kevin.stefan@gmail.com

One of the items on the agenda is the election of a Treasurer, but the Fringe is also in need of a volunteer bookkeeper. Do you think you might fit this position? Here’s the scoop:

“The Calgary Fringe Festival Society is seeking a volunteer to take on the role of Bookkeeper. This person will work with the Festival Director to learn the accounting system, then take over handling the monthly journey journal entries and bank reconciliations. The Bookkeeper will also produce monthly financial statements for the Treasurer’s signature and will work with the Treasurer to prepare reports for government departments, funders and Alberta Gaming (casino reports). From October through May, this is a minimal time commitment with few transactions, but does get busier in the weeks prior to and immediately after the Fringe Festival which takes place the first week of August annually. If you have some bookkeeping experience and time to give, and you love theatre, please contact Sherry West at swestey@shaw.ca”.

Last but not least…

Tickets go on sale THIS THURSDAY, JULY FIRST!!! The countdown is on, folks! Are you excited yet?!

As some of you may know, there is much more to the Calgary Fringe Festival than 9 days of indoor theatre. We are a dynamic organization that operates all year-round, and have many volunteers who are involved even when the Festival isn’t happening. And even when the Fringe is in full swing, there’s a lot more than just ticket sales and ushering to keep you busy!

Here are some of the lesser-known (and new-this-year!) ways to be involved:

Calgary Lilac Festival: THIS COMING Sunday May 30, come out, enjoy the sunshine and let passers-by know about the Fringe and how they can get involved as patrons or volunteers! *We especially need someone with a truck to help get the tent to the grounds* (Editor’s Note: Sorry for the short notice, that was my misunderstanding! P.S., this dreary weather is supposed to be gone by then, last I checked! Kelly)

Treasurer: Handy with an accounts book? Love numbers? We are seeking a dynamic individual to act as Treasurer for the Festival Society and help guide the direction of the Fringe as a part of the Executive team.

Event Planning & Implementation: Love to plan parties? Have a knack for decorating? Entertaining? Then help us say thank-you to our volunteers and patrons at our legendary volunteer wrap-up party or by helping us put on the very first Fringe Pancake Breakfast.

Fringe Ambassador: BE the fun! Roam Inglewood and engage artists, patrons, volunteers and the public in having a wonderful Fringe experience. Creativity and a warm smile certainly help, but all you really need is love -for the Fringe, that is

Join a Committee: Have skills in fundraising? Volunteer management? Being behind the scenes of a Box Office? Just want to try something new? Join one of the Fringe’s committees and put your skills and interests to good use.

Billet Hosting: Make a friend, get free passes to Fringe shows; Host an Artist! Provide a comfy place for an artist to lay their head after a long day of Fringing and earn their gratitude and our thanks via some show-passes.

With so many ways to be part of the Fringe, it’s easy to find a role that suits your individual flavour all year round!

To sign up or for more information on any of the above, contact Tami Rothery, Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@calgaryfringe.ca.

Smiles!
- Tami Rothery
Volunteer Coordinator
Calgary Fringe Festival

www.calgaryfringe.ca

The Calgary Fringe Festival continues to be grateful for the support that the Inglewood and Ramsay Communities have given towards the success of this annual event. This year, we have 27 performers from out of town coming to Calgary to entertain us. And we need your help to provide these artists with a comfy place to lay their head after a long day of providing entertainment to the masses.

If you would be able to be a host to one or more of these artists, please contact the Calgary Fringe Festival. What will you get in return? Besides making new friends, you will receive two Fringe Passes that will get you into any of the 2010 Fringe Festival shows (subject to seating availability).

Here are the details:

Time period: June 27th to August 8th, 2010.

What‘s needed: a comfy bed, couch, mattress etc that the artist can call home for the duration of their stay.

How many? We have several singles, a few duos and two groups of four and one group of six.

Do you need to supply food? No, unless you want to.

We hope that you will be able to support the Fringe by providing accommodation for our artists. If you can be of help, please email: artist@calgaryfringe.ca or call the Fringe Office at (403) 451-9726, or message our Calgary Fringe Festival Facebook page to request the Wanna Host An Artist? form to fill out & send in.

Thank you for your support!