Join the Fringe staff and scores of your Fringe cohorts for a Hollywood Fringe Town Hall on Wednesday, March 2. We had a few of these last year; they were always a good time with lots of socializing and helpful information to ensure a successful Fringe experience. This year we are hosting our first Town Hall at Theatre Asylum, home of last year’s “Best of Fringe”.

As soon as the Town Hall wraps up, we move across the road for an informal mixer at Three Clubs, a Fringe venue and Hotspot (and one of our favorite hangouts in Hollywood). They are providing an amazing special: $5 on all drinks with your Fringe stamp.

Can’t make it? Fear not, we are recording the whole thing so anyone can listen.

Special thanks to Matthew Quinn, the staff of Theatre Asylum, and all the good people at Three Clubs for hosting the festivities.

Please rsvp on facebook or email [email protected].

Hope to see everyone there!

Ben

WHAT: The Fringe Town Hall

WHEN: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 7pm

WHERE: Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood, CA (SW corner of Santa Monica and Vine)

WHY:

• To answer your questions and listen to your feedback
• To guide you through the Festival registration process.
• To meet venues and book your shows
• To announce new programs and promotions

WHAT: The Fringe Mixer

WHEN: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 shortly after 9pm

WHERE: Three Clubs, 1123 Vine Street (NW Corner of Santa Monica and Vine, look for the “cocktails” sign)

WHY:

• To socialize with staff, fellow, participants and venues
• To check out this legendary bar
• To imbibe drink specials: All drinks $5 with your Fringe stamp

The Hollywood Fringe is all about community – artists, art lovers, art patrons, and good friends. There is one more community that is directly impacted by the Fringe: The Hollywood business community. Apparently thousands of Fringers wandering the streets of Hollywood searching for their next adventure is good for local business.

Last year we launched (one of many) bold experiments in our inaugural Hotspots program. Almost 20 local businesses all around the Fringe Zone pledged promotions to Fringe-goers in this pilot program. Everything from cheap food to cheap drinks to cheap tattoos were available for the lucky Fringers who took advantage of the many promotions offered up to them.

Fringe Hotspots are coming back bigger and better in 2011 and our development team has assembled some materials to attract local businesses to participate.

Do you know a local business in the Fringe zone that may be interested in driving Fringe traffic through it’s doors? Ask them to contact us, we’d love to have them on-board.

Read all about Fringe Hotspots to get the info on what the program is all about.

Fringe on!

Ben

This week, our staff focus is all about community and outreach. So without further fanfare, let’s hear all about it from Hollywood Fringe Outreach coordinator Meghan McCauley!

Hello Hollywood Fringe friends,

I came to the first annual Hollywood Fringe Festival as an unknown participant from San Diego, without any idea of what to expect. Taking part in Hollywood Fringe introduced me to this awesome community of people dedicated to the same thing I was dedicated to – creating a system in which new artists could show their work to a community that supported them. I moved to Los Angeles in August of 2010 and was offered a job on the Hollywood Fringe staff as Outreach Coordinator.

What does “outreach” mean for the Hollywood Fringe?

In short, it means expanding the Hollywood Fringe community as far and wide as we possibly can. As Outreach Coordinator, I am dedicated to bringing in as many people as possible to the Fringe fold who want to create, support, and see the work that this festival brings to Los Angeles.

It starts with bringing in more producers, performers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, etc. It means that you’ll be seeing a bigger Fringe representation at other community arts festivals throughout LA in the coming months. It means that we are focusing directly on schools (both K-12 and university level) to get students involved in creating, volunteering, and experiencing the festival.

If you are an artist, teacher, producer, programmer, or individual otherwise interested in forging a partnership with Hollywood Fringe, I’d love to hear from you. Do you have an event you want us to attend? A class who would love to take a field trip to one of our shows? Possibilities are endless!

Fringe on,
Meghan McCauley
[email protected]

Today we beging a series of introductions of Fringe staffers.

To begin let’s all give a big hello to volunteer coordinator Elizabeth Steele.

Take it away, Liz…
__

Hello dear Fringers!

Some of you might remember me from last year, I was the volunteer in the off the shoulder freak shirt at the festival all the hours I wasn’t sleeping or working my money job.

Know what’s wonderful about volunteering for the Fringe?

You’re always needed! And even when there isn’t an artist to help with bus schedules or directions or a lobby to vacuum, there are countless houses with seats to fill.

As the festival continues to grow, so does our volunteer base. This Falll I was asked to join the Fringe staff in the capacity of Volunteer Coordinator, based on my own experience during our first year. I’m so excited about ensuring the most efficient use of volunteers. Our street team will be fierce this year. We plan on stationing volunteers outside each venue with Fringe programs, gear, and, of course, information.

With Fringe Central moving to a much more central location I might add, we don’t want anyone missing out on the fun at ArtWorks. Volunteers will be selling Fringe merch, tickets to shows, and making artists feel at home in Hollywood.

If you’re interested in volunteering or have any suggestions as to how our force can create an even more welcoming arts community during the festival, please feel free to contact me.

Fringe on!

Elizabeth Steele
[email protected]

Ah, Fringes. Home to all things experimental, emerging, unplanned, and subversive. Excellent stuff for the adventurous audience member with a touch of soulful revolution in their heart.

But where do families fit into the mix? Rather snugly, actually.

We are excited to introduce our brand new Fringe Family Program to the Hollywood Fringe 2011 lineup. Fringe Family showcases family-friendly programming on the Fringe for kids, parents, and the parent/kid in all of us.

How does it work?

Fringe producers interested in staging a Fringe Family program need only affirm their show abides by the basic rules of Fringe Family – pledging there is no foul language, adult themes, or otherwise non-kid friendly material in their shows. Patrons interested in attending Fringe Family shows are provided listings in the guide and on the website to help plan their family fun.

Fringe Family is an excellent way to market your kid-friendly show as we provide tools to match patrons preferring such programming to your projects. Special weekend programming for kids at Fringe Central will showcase some of these shows along with special workshops for creative kids and parents.

Many thanks to the man behind Fringe Family, our director of special programs Jon Armstrong (also known for his magical ways with cards).

Expect more information on this program as we near the merry month of June.

Interested in participating and want to learn more? Shoot us an email and we will help you sort through the details.

Ben