Northern Ontario artists 'too often overlooked and undersupported'

Fringe North has consistently grown and evolved since its inception in 2016.

This has been especially true over the past two years where the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organization to introduce numerous virtual events to ensure that the focus on the arts remains, despite in-person restrictions.

Widely known for the annual summer festival that takes place in August, organizers have worked to increasing their offerings to the community.

“Fringe North has been working to expand programming in general throughout the year,” says Nicole Dyble, Equity, Diversity and Event Coordinator for Fringe North.

One such non-festival event is their upcoming Show and Tell.

“Show and Tell is a three-part online event series taking place on the evenings of March 10 through 12. Each evening will feature a recorded in-depth interview with Northern Ontario artists and youth conducted by Fringe North’s Lead Project Coordinator Katelyn Townsend, followed by performances” says Dyble.

“It’s important to showcase the stories of artists in Northern Ontario because there is such incredible talent here and they are too often overlooked and undersupported.”

This online series will feature three artists from Sault Ste. Marie and one from Sudbury.

“Regional representation in the arts matters. It can help contribute to a thriving local arts and culture scene, and furthermore, a healthier community,” says Dyble.

“Supporting artists to share their stories can help to validate and empower them and audiences, increase opportunities for expression, communication, and understanding, and have or lead to many personal, social, civic, and economic benefits.”

The Show and Tell schedule is as follows:

Thursday, March 10  

• 7 p.m.: Interview with local, multi-genre, all vinyl DJ and producer DJ SEITH
• 8 p.m.: Performance by DJ SEITH
• 8:40 p.m.: Interview with local, folk-punk singer-songwriter, and hip hop MC Sibling
• 9:40 p.m.: Performance by Sibling

Friday, March 11

• 7 p.m.: “Tell Your Tale” - A short Fringe North documentary about storytelling
• 8 p.m.: Interview with The New Northern Mentality - Sault Ste. Marie’s youth mental health advocacy group

Saturday, March 12

• 7 p.m.: Interview with local poet and hip hop MC CONiKA
• 8 p.m.: Performance by CONiKA
• 8:40 p.m.: Interview with Sudbury hip hop MC, labour and mental health advocate Mickey O’Brien
• 9:40 p.m.: Performance by Mickey O’Brien

All Show and Tell events are presented free of charge.

“Everyone who wants to watch can,” says Dyble. 

 “We do ask that folks consider ‘Tipping The Fringe’ by donating to Fringe North via e-transfer to [email protected].

Show and Tell will be screened on the Fringe North YouTube account as well as Facebook Live using the following Facebook Event links:

SHOW AND TELL with DJ SEITH & Sibling  

SHOW AND TELL - "Tell Your Tale" & The New Northern Mentality

SHOW AND TELL with CONiKA & Mickey O'Brien

Find more information on the Fringe North website.

This year’s Fringe North Festival will take place from Aug. 18 to 21. Artist applications for this year’s festival open a week following this event series - on March 21st.

These events and others like it are made possible with the generous support of The Ontario Trillium Foundation.