— It’s big, it’s b-a-a-d, it’s more beautiful than ever. Washington, get ready for the 3-peat of Capital Fringe’s takeover of your July calendar. For the first time, the Fringe has a home – they call it Fort Fringe, a former Italian restaurant tricked out with a gorgeous outdoor performing space under tents. It’s Fringe box office and party central at 607 New York Avenue NW.
Julianne Brienza, co-founder and true spirit of the Fringe, told us Capital Fringe returns more revenue from ticket and button sales to the artists than any other U.S. festival. So don’t gripe that you have to spend $5 for a one-time festival button to get into your shows. Even though you have a ticket in your hand. Even though you’re a friend of the performer. Still need to have and wear the button.
You’ve got 18 days this time to see 104 acts, and we’ve got 15 writers covering, like, 90 of them. Seriously. We’ll have a 5 point likeability scale. We call them the Bandaccinos in honor of those Fringe tents.
Looks like this. 
So if you’re unsure what to see, or want to sound off on what you’ve already seen, check back here.
We’ll see you at the Fringe.
— And the Source Festival (now thru July 13)
— And the Hip-Hop Festival. (July 8 – 12)
— And the Contemporary American Theatre Festival (July 9 – August 3)
And the 13 other shows opening this month around town.
I honestly don’t understand this whole button thing. Can someone explain it to me?
seriously, i find having to wear a button a PITA. i’m not against supporting the artists, but i agree that the ticket price should just be the ticket price. if i buy a 10-pass to take friends out to expose them to the fringe, then on top of it i have to spend another $45 to take the 9 friends out with me. and, if my button falls off somewhere, i have to buy another one. . . again, PITA! so far, i’ve just skipped the fringe this year. but if i go, i’ll keep my eyes open for lost buttons on the sidewalk 🙂
LOL nope… Set a ticket price. If it needs to be more raise the price. People see past gimmicks. I hate wearing uniforms and buttons.
Artists get way to little money in DC. Problem is the price for theatre tickets is now set in the patrons mind. Once you lower to a certain price you can never raise it again or it is very hard. If you decide to set your price at 10 dollars like some companies have in recent years you will have a hard time getting back up to 18 or 20.. If ticket prices make up a small percentage of expenses how then do you lower them even more.. Ahhhhhhhh oh well I ramble..
Da money from da buttons goes to the artists. You tryin’ to cheat those starvin’ artists, man?
LOL Janet! I was hoping there was a Seinfeld fan that would get the reference 🙂
Button? I don’t need no stinking button.
As heard on Sienfeld: “But I don’t want to wear the ribbon” (button)