13th Annual Fringe Festival to Hit Kansas City This Month

The region's largest performing arts festival returns this July. Running July 20-30, the 11-day festival is packed with live theater, music, dance, cabaret, variety, performance art, puppetry, spoken word, visual art and film.

The Festival attracts national and local performers and offers more than 90 individual performing artists and groups presenting in 16 venues. Youth and Teen Fringe also return with family-friendly free events and great activities to encourage active participation in the arts.

The Visual Arts exhibitions will show the works of 32 artists at Union Station, Just Off Broadway, and libraries of the Johnson County Library system.

Continuing our collaboration with other theaters and festivals, the Festival is again partnering with Summerfest 2017 and its classical music program, and the Coterie Theater's Teen Playwriting Workshop for aspiring playwrights.

"Late Night at the Fringe," a popular weekend event, will offers audience members and artists an after-hours atmosphere to meet, mingle, relax, and enjoy special entertainment in its new location at the Haverty Yards at Union Station.

"We are thrilled with this year's Festival offerings," noted Cheryl Kimmi, executive producer of the Festival. "Some of our the Festival's favorite groups and artists are returning with new material, but there are exciting visiting performers from outside the region and a number of emerging artists presenting for the first time. The collaborations with other programs and festivals is a welcome development for all of us. There is really something for all ages and tastes."

Entrance to events requires a $5 Fringe Button (free for youth) available at Fringe 411 or at Festival venues. Most events cost $10 ($5 youth tickets) and last 60 minutes. The visual arts component and the artist's sale boutique are free and open to the public. Performance schedules and tickets can be found online at www.kcfringe.org.

Schedule of Events:

July 6 6 pm
Fringe Previews
Johnson County Library Central Resource Library

July 12 6 pm
Fringe Previews
Kansas City Public Library-Central Branch

July 16 2-5 pm
Visual Art Openings
Union Station Grand Hall

July 20 5:30 pm
Opening Night Red Carpet
Folly Theater

July 20 7 pm
Opening Night Teasers
Folly Theater

July 21-23
YOUth Fringe
Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch

July 21-30
475 Performances, 16 Venues, 112 Performing Artists/Groups!

July 23 6-11 p.m.
Teens on the Fringe
Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch

July 30 10-3 p.m.
Teen Playwriting Workshop
Coterie Theatre, Crown Center

July 30 6 p.m.
Closing Party
City Stage & Haverty Yards - Union Station