Live Arts and Philly Fringe celebrate artistic culture

By Lauren McGlone
Collegian Editor
September 12, 2007

The city’s largest arts festival is now underway with the 2007 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe.

The annual event began Aug. 31 and continues through Sept. 15 at local theaters, art galleries and nightclubs, among other venues.

The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival showcases the unique, imaginative and diverse works of contemporary artists from the area as well as world-renowned artists. The program also seeks to assist new artists in breaking into the world of the arts.

The Philly Fringe allows any artist to self-produce personal works, becoming responsible for the design, choreography and direction of such pieces. The individuals are solely responsible for booking venues to house their performances.

The festival first took place 10 years ago and had since grown to entertain 45,000 attendees in 2006. Hundreds of acts are lined up for the 2007 season.

Venues for this year’s festival number over 100 and vary to include locations such as the Society Hill Playhouse, Washington Square, Double Shots Espresso Bar and the Gershman Y. A complete list of venues may be found at www.livearts-fringe.org.

Live Arts and Philly Fringe performances include genres such as dance, music, poetry, puppetry, theater and visual art.

This year’s festival has been reviewed extensively by Philadelphia City Paper, posting rants and raves on the Web site each afternoon.

Visit www.citypaper.net/fringe/2007 to read the reviews before trying out a new show.

Just a few of the positive reviews include those for “The Jersey Devil,” “Hung on a Blonde Ponytail” and “MUD,” according to recent press releases.

The Philadelphia Inquirer also features blogs and review pieces regarding the dance, theater and backstage news at the 2007 Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe.

While quite a few performances charge an admission fee, select shows are free of charge. Some free shows include “50 Ways to Kill Your Lover: A Romeo and Juliet Comedy,” “Sports Centered” and “The Rushing Dance.” A complete list of free shows may be found at the Live Arts and Philly Fringe website.

A late-night Cabaret program presented by City Paper offers no-cover event for patrons 21 and over. Club Polaris serves as the venue and features a pre-show event, followed by the host of the evening and a special act and/or band, all different each night of the week until Sept. 15.

Many festival participants are those who challenge the norms of society today. In an effort to encourage the cultural exploration and reflection on this year’s festival, several panel discussions, Q-and-A sessions and seminars with dancers, choreographers, directors and actors are held throughout the arts celebration.

A free 90-minute seminar takes a look at contemporary dance and the effect on dancers’ bodies and the influences of socio-economic events. The event will be held Sept. 14 at noon at the Painted Bride Art Center on Vine Street.

The historic Laurel Hill Cemetery will serve as the spooky site for the “Twilight Performance of Spoon River Anthology,” Sept. 15. The Late Laureates of Laurel Hill will speak from beyond the grave and prove art does not end with death. The performance begins at 6 p.m. and costs $20.

Arts patrons can also catch a double feature at the Society Hill Playhouse Sept 13 and 14. The performance center will feature “Tattooed Lady” and “Hung on a Blonde Ponytail: An Act of Rock.” Shows are set to begin at 7 and 9 p.m, respectively.

A complete list of venues, performances, admission prices and artists may be found at www.livearts-fringe.org/2007.

Countless events encompassing just about every area of the arts will be held over the next few days as the Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe draws to a close Sept. 15.

While it may be impossible to see each event, choose according to personal taste and reviews of Philadelphia bloggers.

mcglonel1@lasalle.edu