Inaugural Fringe Fort Myers Performing Arts Festival Announces Award Winner and 2024 Dates

Inaugural Fringe Fort Myers Performing Arts Festival Announces Award Winner and 2024 Dates 

 Fringe Fort Myers 2024 set for May 30-June 2, 2024

FORT MYERS, FL (June 9, 2023) – The inaugural Fringe Fort Myers performing arts festival, held June 1 – 4 at the Alliance for the Arts (AFTA), brought together nine performing acts featuring 27 artists from around the world. The Alliance for the Arts  teamed up with Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre to host more than 40 shows over four days, spanning genres from storytelling, dance, burlesque, comedy, mystery and much more. 

Fringe concluded on Sunday evening at Broadway Palm with an awards ceremony in which the following winners were announced: Frank Blocker in Southern Gothic Novel – Best of Venue for Off Broadway Palm; Laila Lee in The Light Bringer – Best of Venue for Alliance Classroom; Dance Bochette Presents Future Perfect – Best of Venue Foulds Theatre. The award for Audience Favorite went to tiny_Theatre Presents The Hunt for Milo Gatto.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support this community has given our inaugural Fringe Festival. With that kind of support, we have definitely laid the groundwork for a festival that will continue to attract quality acts from around the world. I can’t wait to see how we grow! Be sure to join us for the next Fringe Fort Myers, May 30-June 2, 2024,” said Bill Taylor, Producing Artistic Director.

During the four-days (June 1-4) of the festival AFTA saw over 1,000 attendees and 72 volunteers. “I am delighted that Fringe was so well received and we look forward to Fringe “part deux” next year,” said Molly Rowan-Deckart, Executive Director of AFTA. 

Kids Fringe held the youngest audience members’ attention over the weekend: Two special editions of Free Family ArtLab were hosted by AFTA instructors Veronica Tierra of Tierra & Friends and Tiani Rosado. Citrus Circus delighted audiences with their high-flying skills on Saturday and Sunday. Carmen Crussard and the students of Cypress Lake High School brought the magical and interactive world of Alice in Wonderland to life.

Bill Veach, Smokey Daytona Band, Bruce Gallant and Bill Metts all performed on our Fringe Music Venue over the weekend. Fred Ball, The Reckless Saints and Kim Mayfield were not able to perform due to weather conditions.

AFTA extended special thanks to Lovr Boys, Mama Marie’s and Arts & Eats Café for feeding everyone that attended Fringe Fort Myers, and to What the Flock? for flocking the AFTA campus with almost 200 flamingoes.

AFTA also extended thanks to Broadway Palm Dinner Theater for hosting shows and the awards in their Off Broadway stage as well as providing meals for all performers. Additional thanks to Florida Weekly, Suncoast Beverage Sales, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, Wilbur Smith Attorneys at Law, and benefactors Bruce and Janet Bunch, Julie Ireland, John MacLennan, and Daniel and Carolyn England for their sponsorship of the Inaugural Fringe Fort Myers. 

About Alliance for the Arts

The Alliance for the Arts is a nonprofit community visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1975, the Alliance has been committed to transforming lives and improving community through the arts. The Alliance campus and galleries are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Located at 10091 McGregor Boulevard just south of Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. For more information, please call 239-939-2787, visit us at www.ArtInLee.org, find us on Facebook,  Instagram or follow us on Twitter.

Bill Taylor and Frank Blocker

Bill Taylor and Tiny Theatre

Bill Taylor with Dance Bochette

Bill Taylor and Laila Lee

Bill and Molly

Bill Taylor and Performers