The Alliance for the Arts Presents the 

Inaugural Fringe Fort Myers Performing Arts Festival

The four-day festival will host 40 performances on multiple stages 

at the Alliance for the Arts and Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre June 1-4, 2023

Fort Myers, FL (April 18, 2023)- The Alliance for the Arts will present the inaugural Fringe Fort Myers performing arts festival June 1–4, 2023. Fringe Fort Myers features a wide variety of performances, from one-person shows, to dance and music, to stand-up comedy, and much more. Most shows are 60 minutes long. In addition to the performances, there will be a Kids Fringe Fest happening throughout.

Fringe Fort Myers is the newest member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF), and the first to come to Southwest Florida. Fringe Fort Myers follows the long-standing Fringe traditions of being 100 percent independent, 100 percent inclusive and 100 percent unique, with 100 percent of ticket sales going directly to the artists. 

Fringe Fort Myers kicks off Thursday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m. with a “Flamingle with the Artists”  Reception in the Alliance Gallery, giving patrons a chance to meet the artists, followed by the Preview show at 6:30pm. At the preview, each performer has three minutes to sell the audience on why they should see their show. “They can perform a scene from their show, talk about the show or just burp for three minutes,” said Bill Taylor, producing artistic director at the Alliance for the Arts. “Whatever they think will get you to buy a ticket!” This event is open to the public, and more information is available at artinlee.org/fringe. Following the Preview Show there will be one performance in each venue.

The festival continues Friday, June 2 when part of the Alliance for the Arts sidewalk along McGregor Boulevard will be devoted to the inaugural “Ministry of Silly Walks” competition, which is sure to delight Monty Python fans. The competitor with the silliest walk will receive two tickets to any show in the festival. Fringe’s outdoor music venue will open at 6pm; musicians will be announced soon.

On Saturday, June 3 the festival opens at 10am and closes at 10pm, and will include the Kids Fringe Festival, featuring a Free Family ArtLab, a family friendly Alice in Wonderland interactive show and outdoor performances of aerialists and acrobats.

All shows, including Kids Fringe, will take the stages one final time on Sunday, June 4 until the closing ceremonies at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre at 5:30PM.

All of the shows are $15, and patrons can buy multiple shows for a discount: 3 shows for $42 or 6 shows for $78. All shows are included in the discount except the Carousel of Burlesque. There are no refunds, no exchanges, and no exceptions. There will be no late seating for any of the Fringe shows, so be sure to get there with plenty of time. Tickets may be purchased online at artinlee.org/fringe or by calling the box office at (239) 939-2787. 

Starting Friday, June 2, Arts & Eats Café and select food trucks will offer food for purchase. There will be a cash bar located in the Edwards building offering non-alcoholic beverages and alcoholic beverages to those over 21.

Featured shows and their locations are as follows: 

Happening in the Alliance Foulds Theatre

Flamencodanza – from Madrid, Spain

Contemporary Flamenco performance with guitar and dance.

This show is suitable for all ages.

Show times: June 2 at 7:00 pm, June 3 at 5:30, June 4 at 1:00 pm

Future Perfect – from Fort Myers, FL

Modern Dance performance exploring the ideas of temporality, choices and expectations. As we commit to journey away from the past we will be in a better future.

This show is suitable for all ages.

Show times: June 1 at 7:30 pm, June 3 at 8:30 pm, June 4 at 4:00 pm

The Carousel of Burlesque: History of Burlesque in the US– from Naples, FL

Bringing the history of burlesque to Southwest Florida, saunter through the timelines that brought this empowering and tantalizing art form to the popular masses of today. From the Victorian vixens to the promiscuous present, join these performers as they shimmy, shake and strip through the struggles and successes of burlesque.

This show contains nudity and is not suited for those under the age of 18.

Show times: June 2 at 8:30 pm June 3 at 7:00 pm, June 4 at 2:30 pm

Happening at Off Broadway Palm 

tiny_Theatre presents: The Hunt for Milo – from Cottondale, AL

When calamity befalls a prominent member of the city, Detectives Lila Bockhorn and Harrison Locke are eager to track down one Milo Gatto. But hurdles hit fresh out of the gate and only the audience can keep the investigation alive by solving a variety of word games and puzzles. Conceived, written and performed by professional actors of stage and screen Brendan Powers and Rachel Burttram, this goofy tour de force has this husband/wife team playing all the roles — and the audience saving the day.

This show is suitable for all ages.

Show times: June 1 at 7:30, June 3 at 8:30 pm, June 4 at 4:00 pm

Cold Feet-A Comedy Extravaganza – from Miami, FL

A comedy variety show that debuted in New York City in February, this extravaganza features original comedy music, stand up and sketches. Three Miami comics will tantalize the senses and tickle your funny bone, so audiences should come prepared to laugh!.

This show contains adult language and content and is not suitable for those under the age of 18.

Show times: June 2 at 8:30 pm, June 3 at 7:00 pm, June 4 at 2:30 pm

Southern Gothic Novel – from Naples, FL

There are 5,218 people living in Aberdeen, Mississippi. This is the story of 17 of them. And the men that caused all of the trouble.

This show contains adult language and is rated PG-13. 

Show times: June 2 at 7:00 pm, June 3 at 5:30 pm, June 4 at 1:00 pm

Happening in the Alliance Classrooms

The Light Bringer – from Tampa, FL

 “SOLD! Off to the American Dream!” Freedom, but at what cost? A Palestinian immigrant and her family find more freedom in the US than expected. The Light Bringer is a true-life storytelling show written and performed by Laila Lee, directed by Bill Pats. In this one-woman show, Laila brings to light her experiences growing up Muslim in the American South, and how she discovers her own place in the world and what sacrifices she must make.

This show contains adult language and is rated PG-13. 

Show times: June 1 at 7:30 pm, June 3 at 5:30 pm, June 4 at 1:00 pm

Francine Wolf: Please Don’t Tell my Kids – from Largo, FL

Regrettably true autobiographical tales, from artistic adventures to an historic court battle. Laugh…cry…whatever you do: please don’t tell her kids!

This show contains adult language and is not suitable for those under the age of 18.

Show times: June 2 at 7:00 pm, June 3 at 4:00 pm, June 4 at 2:30 pm

Paco Erhard: Worst. German. Ever. – from Berlin, Germany

Paco Erhard is German, but he has other problems too. Kicked out of Germany for having a sense of humor, he now has a new six-month goal: Fix America and save the world. Step 1: become 110% American fast. How hard can it be?

This show contains adult language and content is not suitable for those under the age of 18.

Show times: June 2 at 8:30 pm, June 3 at 7:00 pm and June 4 at 4:00 pm

A full schedule of events, show descriptions and tickets are available now at ArtInLee.org/Fringe. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Bill Taylor at [email protected].

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.

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Attached image: Fringe poster

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Regards,

Jen

Jennifer Falk •Project Coordinator

Pronouns: she/her/hers

ArtInLee.org • 239-939-2787

10091 McGregor Boulevard Fort Myers, Florida 33919
 Please note the Alliance for the Arts’ updated gallery and administrative office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturd