The Elgin Fringe Festival is celebrating its 13th year with over 80 performances, including dance, theater, music, comedy, and magic. Performances run from Wednesday through Sunday across five downtown venues. Entry buttons cost $4, while performance tickets range from free to $12. A $95 festival pass offers access to all events at Side Street Studio Arts, Elgin Public House, Habitat for Humanity, Martini Room, and Elgin Art Showcase.
Nick Mataragas, the festival’s artistic director, is not surprised by the festival’s continued success. He notes that the festival has always been adept at adapting to different circumstances. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, with a preview party at the Martini Room, featuring teasers of upcoming performances. The Fringe Cabaret follows at 7 p.m., hosted by comedian Jose Alfredo.
Special events include the Almost-Closing Party at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, and the official After Party at 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 27. Mataragas emphasizes the closing party’s role in celebrating the festival’s outcomes, awarding achievements and saying farewell to touring artists.
Among the diverse performances are The Snake Oil and Skullduggery Show (improv), Tap Into Time by Gregg and Katie, ‘Twilight-ish the Musical’ by Slapdash Theatre, ‘The Lunatic’s Fringe: An Enigmatic Multimedia Driven Rock Spectacle’ by The Lunatic’s Fringe, ‘A Play I Wrote in Fourth Grade’ by Claire Jolie Goodman, and ‘Weird Jazz’ by Grey Noise. Attendees should visit elginfringefestival.com for a detailed schedule organized by day, genre, and venue. Mataragas highlights this year’s focus on experimenting within storytelling by challenging preconceived notions.
Chicago storyteller Lauren Kee will present ‘Dealbreaker,’ a one-woman show exploring the impact of the herpes virus on dating, blending comedy, storytelling, vulnerability, and sex education. Kee hopes her performance will resonate with audiences, offering relatable tales and sparking inspiration. Her Fringe debut was at the Harrisburg Fringe Festival in Pennsylvania, and she looks forward to showcasing her work closer to home. She praises the Elgin Fringe for its organization and support.
With 22 local acts and 12 touring performers, Mataragas encourages attendees to experience multiple shows. He underscores Elgin’s rich artistic scene and its receptiveness to the arts. The festival offers a chance to enjoy diverse art at affordable prices, making Elgin an ideal city for such an event.
Kee aims to inspire others through her performance, hoping ‘Dealbreaker’ can serve as a catalyst for creativity and healing. She wishes for her work to be a starting point for more artistic expression, whether it’s writing or personal journaling.
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