June 26 Update

Could it be? Yes it could. One day left…

Fringe will be rolling to a close on Sunday as we celebrate and remember our time together and ponder a new future now that Fringe has entered our lives. Let’s not be tearful, though, as we have much to cherish from our communal experience over these past two weeks. New relationships have been formed, miracles have materialized, and the gods have indeed wept.

I know I tend to get a bit mushy in these posts, but it’s easy to be overcome with the warm feelings, the sense of community, and the support and contributions you have all provided before and during this Fringe. I have said it before: This is a festival of community. This was fundamentally your festival and you made it the experience it became. Looking to the horizon as June once again rings in the Summer days, you will recreate it all over again. Such is the beauty and wonder of Fringe.

There yah go…a double serving of poetry to make up for yesterday’s brevity.

Now on to the news…

AWARDS
Those of you who have received ballots in your email are the official panelists for the festival sponsored awards. Specifically, this includes venue managers, participants, and HollywoodFringe.org reviewers who have contributed a substantial amount of work in the form of written reviews. You need to cast your ballots by noon Sunday for your votes to be counted. And here’s a new bit of good news: To warmly embrace our entire community, we are dropping the walk-up admission charge for the awards. Obviously there are a limited number of people we can fit in the 99 seat theatre at Fringe Central (1625 N Las Palmas), so make sure to arrive at 6:30 to secure your admission. If you have already made a reservation, it will be honored. If you feel nervous about securing a seat, you can still pay $12 to reserve one and we will guarantee you a place in the theatre.

CLOSING PARTY
Let it be known! Closing party is a chill and (no doubt) slightly emotionally-charged gathering at Fringe Central starting circa 9pm Sunday night at Fringe Central. Need T-shirts for your casts? Grab me and let’s talk bulk discounts. The gathering will begin directly proceeding the awards ceremony. There is absolutely, positively no cover charge to gather and beers/wine/sangria will be cheap.

HOUSE SIZES
My own personal obsession with house sizes is quenched to an extent today. The word on the street is that the public is starting to join our newly born ritual. I have heard from many of you that houses have grown in size and enthusiasm. Well done, everyone. Promotion works – and group promotion works better. For all those self-involved arts organizations out there that think they can live in their own little world, let this be a lesson: The arts are a group effort, what’s good for one of us is good for all. Be isolationist at your own risk. If nothing else, this is a wonderful omen for next year’s experience.

See you all tomorrow for one last day of Fringe 2010…

Ben