Auckland's Fringe Festival to become annual

Photo by Oliver Crawford - Rushes by Malia Johnston

Auckland Fringe 2017 brought the festival back from the brink, and saw a groundswell of artists and audiences reconnect under the Fringe umbrella. Now the Auckland Fringe is signalling it’s here to stay (and then some) - from 20th Feb – 4th March 2018, Auckland Fringe goes annual for the first time. Aucklanders can now look forward to starting every year off with an explosion of experimental theatre, music, dance and performance art in their galleries, theatres and city streets.

This year the Fringe programme featured 21 international artists, 46 musicians, 102 synchronised swimmers, 24 comedians, 78 dancers and 10 shabbat waiters, among many, many others. The city was activated over for 21 days, and saw over 23,000 attendances.

The 2018 Auckland Fringe promises a whole new raft of artistic experiences and will focus it’s programme not just on the Auckland CBD arts district, which encompasses Q Theatre, Basement Theatre and Auckland Live, but on activating Fringe hubs across the city.

WIth the success of the 2017 Fringe, funders have taken notice, with Foundation North, Creative New Zealand, Auckland Council and Waitematā Local Board supporting the next stage of the festival’s growth. Festival Director Lydia Zanetti puts this down to the hard work and commitment of the artistic community in Auckland, and the thirst for original, innovative experiences from Aucklanders.

Off the back of such an anarchic and fabulous festival in 2017, it is a great honour to bring Fringe back to Auckland in 2018. Fringe festivals worldwide are one of the foundations and key celebrations of a thriving arts community. Taking Auckland Fringe annual is drawing a line in the sand - the arts matter and we’re here to stay. - Lydia Zanetti, Festival Director

While working towards a 2018 festival and the regeneration of the festival from scratch, Lydia has also been soaking up all she can at the world’s greatest (and original) Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. Lydia spent five weeks there this year which enabled her to network and engage with fringe festivals and artists from across the world - gaining knowledge and advice to help guide Auckland Fringe’s trajectory.

So for Auckland Fringe 2018, with venues registered from across the city - including Artworks Theatre in Waiheke Island, Federal Delicatessen in the city centre, Nathan Homestead in Manurewa and Te Pou Theatre in New Lynn - there is a space for everyone. Artists (and non artists) can register to be involved up until December 10th, and everyone else that wants to take part as a punter can do so from the 20th of February.

Key Dates:

12th November 2017 - Earlybird registrations close for artists
Late November 2017 - First announcement of the Auckland Fringe programme
10th December 2017 - All registrations close for Auckland Fringe 2018, complete programme released shortly thereafter

Auckland Fringe takes place -

20th Feb – 4th March 2018 at many wonderful venues around Auckland

For more information visit www.aucklandfringe.co.nz