Fringe Fest Takes Center Stage This Weekend in Oxford

“Art-er Limits” Returns in Second Year to Provide a Weekend of Art and Fun

by Alex Thiel

–Click HERE to download/view the weekend’s full schedule–

Oxford, Miss. (TLV)–Now in its second year, the Art-er Limits Fringe Festival is set to take over Oxford this weekend, August 6–8. Boasting a wide array of “70 art events in 72 hours” to the tune of five dollars for a single button, the young festival is starting to establish itself as a highlight of summer in Oxford.

“It’s about exposure, exposure, exposure,” says Project Coordinator Stacey Sanford of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. “The entire purpose of Fringe is to get as many artists as much exposure as possible.”

“The criteria is basically what people want to see.”

The 2015 iteration of Fringe promises a little something for everyone, from Shakespearean comedy to book signings to experimental rock shows in unconventional spaces.

Fringe has managed to incorporate some of Oxford’s other summertime festivities into the mix this year, as Oxford Square Alliance’s SummerFest and the Southeastern Comedy Arts Festival (SECAF) join in on the fun. SummerFest brings kid-friendly entertainment to the Courthouse Lawn on Saturday, while SECAF’s various events (a comedy jam, improv performances, and a stand-up showcase) can be found all over the weekend’s schedule.

Things kick off at the Powerhouse Thursday evening with the Iron Bartender competition, in which local bartenders square off with a secret box of ingredients for the audience’s vote. From there, the weekend will roll on with performances from multiple area bands (Water Spaniel, The Red Thangs, Holy Ghost Electric Show, and members of Captain Magma, among others), plus dance performances, and even a burlesque show.

Perhaps one of the highlights of this year’s festival is a screening of cult classic “black comedy” film The Room at The Lyric on Friday night, followed by actor Greg Sestero’s signing of his book The Disaster Artist at the Lafayette County-Oxford Public Library the next day.

“We’re trying to bring in the book signings for people who don’t necessarily want to go and rock their face off,” says Sanford, “ [Sestero] is going to talk about his experiences in the movie, writing the book, and now twelve years later, how he’s still talking about the movie!”

Several locations have special events planned in conjunction with the festival. One such event is Friday night at Proud Larry’s, when Memphis record label Goner takes over, featuring a performance by the acclaimed Ex-Cult, plus Manateees and Midnight Fistfight.

–Click HERE to download/view the weekend’s full schedule–

Remember that you can pick up and/or purchase your buttons, coupons and schedules today (Thu.) and tomorrow (Fri.) at the Powerhouse from 9 am to 6 pm! 

Thursday Night – Kick-Off Event:

Iron Bartender Cocktail Competition
6-9 pm
The Powerhouse
Admission = your button + 2 coupons

Guest bartenders will be receive an assorted case of spirits with no two cases containing the same mix of products and a stocked bar of mixers. Each box will contain product from Cathead Vodka the sponsor of the contest. Guests will arrive to watch bartenders open their cases and create a cocktail on the spot. The winner is the bartender who creates the most popular cocktail with bonus points for most ingredients. Of course all those in attendance will be the real winners as you taste and vote for your favorite cocktail!; Featuring musical guests Dutch Loves Bijou

Friday’s Featured Events (August 7)

Holy Ghost Electric Show – Lyric Theatre
The Room Movie Screening – Lyric Theatre
Midsummer Night’s Dream – Burns Belfry
Women Who Waited – Powerhouse
Diva’s Eleganza Extravaganza – Powerhouse
Ex Cult with Manateees and Midnight Fistfight – Proud Larry’s
Community Dance with Live Music by The Wilburs – Courthouse Lawn

Join us as part of the fringe festival for this dance on the lawn of the Courthouse. Grab a to go dinner from one of Oxford’s restaurants, join us for live music, and hopefully dance a little. Bring a blanket and spread out on the lawn.

Saturday’s Featured Events (August 8)

Ultimate Simon Says – Courthouse lawn
Steam Roller Printing – The University Museum
Greg Sestero of The Room discusses his new book The Disaster Artist – Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library
Vita Devoid Burlesque Show – Powerhouse
Red Thangs – Powerhouse
Southeastern Comedy Arts Alliance Improv Showcase – Proud Larry’s
“William Faulkner: The Man, They Myth, The Legend” + live music by Andrew Delmastro, Daniel Lee Perea, and Ben Ricketts – The Frame-Up Gallery

Sunday’s Post Fringe Event

YoknapaTaco Launch Party 5 – 9 pm at the Powerhouse

The YoknapaTaco food truck will be hosting its launch party, with fun for everyone that includes foodstuffs for purchase from YoknapaTaco and Oxsicles, beverages from Yalobusha Brewing Co., and pop-up shops from Amelia’s, Delta Blue Jean Co., and The End of All Music; Also live music till the end of the night with short sets from Young Buffalo, Riverside Voodoo, and Charlie Mars; All proceeds from Yalobusha Beer will be donated to the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council

Free Admission with a Fringe Festival Button; This is a premiere performance – playwright Judith Isacoff will be present; Starring Lynn Wells, Marilyn Frey, and Marge McCauley; Music by Wendy Garrison; Produced and directed by Alice Walker