Up the Arts seeks musicians to play around

NEWS RELEASE
ARTS COUNCIL OF ALGOMA AND DISTRICT
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Musicians who want to try new things should apply for paying gigs at Up the Arts multifest happening in tandem with Fringe North international Theatre Festival in Sault Ste. Marie Aug. 9-19

Performance spots are available at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion on both Sundays of the multifest, on Friday August 10, Sunday August 12, and Thursday August 16, and  Sunday August 19.

Sundays will feature family friendly, all ages and cultural performers.

Up the Arts offers theatre performances, art displays and competitions, a book fair, buskers, musical performances, a block party, beer tents and a whole bunch of creative activities for kids.

It’s a collaboration of the Arts Council of Algoma and Fringe North International Theatre Festival.

The music stages are a great opportunity for new musicians to find an audience and for established musicians to try out new material or genres, go solo or play and jam with people from other bands.

That’s in keeping with the spirit of fringe festivals, where the entertainment can be edgy and experimental.

Performance lengths can be flexible. There are spots during the day for family-friendly shows and later in the evening for adult-oriented material.

Dancers, cultural performances and spoken word artists are also welcome to apply.

With funding from Canadian Heritage and support from the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the arts council will allocate spots and pay performers.

Apply at www.ssmarts.org/call-to-artists. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Meanwhile, fringers in the Sault and around the world are celebrating World Fringe Day on July 11.

The first fringe took place in 1947 in Edinburgh and there are now more than 200 festivals worldwide, including August’s second annual Fringe North in the Sault.

“On July 11 this extraordinary community of fringes comes together to celebrate what we stand for: an open access where no one is denied entry and artistic content is not censored,” said Fringe North President Tova Arbus.

“It’s the largest platform on earth for creative freedom. Happy World Fringe Day.”

“Congratulations Fringe North Theatre Festival on your second vibrant year as one of 71 Fringe Festivals around the world hosting artistic performances of all kinds,” added Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie.

Service Canada  has provided funding to Fringe North and the Arts Council of Algoma and District  to help create ten student employment positions in support of local youth.

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