The Halifax fringe festival is taking over the city and is already in full swing. Festival organizers say there’s big crowds coming out this year and ticket sales are already ahead of where they were at this time last year. With more than 50 acts and over 200 performances, organizers say there’s truly something for everyone and some surprises too. “I think the sense of discovery and risk is a huge draw for the (Halifax) Fringe,” Jake Planinc, the festival director with Halifax Fringe. “You really don’t know what you’re going to get, and so there’s a lot of excitement in seeing things for the first time. Going out for a beer after and talking to people about what you’ve seen, what they loved or didn’t, and sort of getting buzz going that way.” It’s the largest fringe festival in Atlantic Canada and draws acts from the region and touring artists from beyond. The festival isn’t juried, which means anyone can get in with their project, instead there’s a lottery, so you have to be selected from the draw. “We really get a wide range of applications from people who are trying things for the first time, to seasoned artists who are wanting to experiment and try something new,” said Planinc. Halifax-based comedian, Maddie Arsenault, took a creative risk and co-wrote a play called “Loony Lundi” that has three showings during the festivals run. It’s an exciting time for the first time playwright. “This is the first, play I’ve ever written, and I’m very proud of it,” said Arsenault. “We got lucky winning the lottery to get to perform it.” Arsenault says the festival is a showcase of the great artists and art scene in Halifax. “The Fringe does a really wonderful job of giving hope, resources and community to the artists here in Halifax,” said Arsenault. “It has a space for everything.” This year’s festival is taking place while many arts organizations across the province are dealing with provincial funding cuts that have seen the province slash funding for arts organizations during the latest budget. The cuts to arts organizations prompted several days of protest outside the legislature during the budget session. “We lost 20 per cent of our operating funding, which is a serious number. But for me, it’s really a bit of a challenge to prove our worth, to find resources in other places, and show the provincial government that we are worth supporting,” said Planinc. Halifax Fringe lost $6,000 in provincial funding, said Planinc, but due to the cuts to programs, they also lost out on other grant opportunities. Despite the challenges, the show goes on, and organizers say there’s a real buzz of support around the festival this year. “I think that it’s really been a catalyzing force to bring people together,” said Planinc. “Our organization has not been hit as hard as others all say. I’ve had colleagues and friends who have lost their jobs.” The Halifax Fringe festival runs until September 13. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
