OUTDOOR PERFORMERS

ABOUT THE OUTDOOR STAGE & BUSKING PITCH

"The 2008 Winnipeg Fringe Festival is without a doubt one of the highlights of my year. Performing at this festival was an absolute joy. The staff was kind, professional, and down right fun! The Winnipeg audiences were delightful and very responsive!" - Mr. Robb

Outdoor Stage
The Outdoor Stage is located in Old Market Square Park, in Winnipeg's historic Exchange District and is the centre of the Fringe Festival site. The seating area of the park is grass and can accommodate up to 1,000 people. Family-friendly programming is scheduled on the Outdoor Stage daily from noon - 6:00pm. Evening programming starts at 6:00pm and typically runs until midnight.

This stage has general lighting and sound capabilities. Bands and musical acts perform on the bandstand stage which is raised and covered. The festival typically adds a stage extension onto the bandstand allowing busker performers to get closer to the audience. Buskers can also perform on the grass in the middle of the park if they wish to perform in an "in the round" environment. Busker performers receive 45-50 minute performance slots on the Outdoor Stage and will be scheduled in a variety of time slots throughout the day during the festival. Bands and musical acts receive a 45-minute slot as well as an adequate amount of set-up and strike time.
 
Busking Pitches
Two busking pitches will also available for buskers to perform on Albert and Arthur steets during the festival. Located in the centre of our popular vendor alley, a major hub of activity at the outdoor site, these busking pitches are great locations for intimate "in the round" performances for 50-100 people.

PERFORMER TYPES
The Winnipeg Fringe is seeking all types of outdoor buskers and performers for our outdoor site, the main hub of activity at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

BUSKERS AND ENTERTAINERS - The Fringe will try to select a variety of performance styles for the Outdoor Stage and busking pitches. Performers will be selected based on the demo and promotional materials submitted with their application, with consideration given to the overall balance of the outdoor programming and the performers past reputation with the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

BANDS & MUSICAL ACTS - The Festival will have a limited number of prime time slots available for musical acts. The Fringe will try to select a variety of musical styles for the Outdoor Stage and does not use a first-come/first-entered system. Applications must be followed by a demo tape within one week of date of application.

KIDS FRINGE - The festival programs Kids Fringe activities on the Outdoor Site every day from noon-6:00 pm every day. Both busker and musical acts will be programmed on the outdoor stage during the day but they must have a general audience/ family friendly act. Kids Fringe performers fill out the same application as other Outdoor Stage performers.

APPLICATION PROCESS
The Winnipeg Fringe Festival will only accept applications online. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the festival office at (204) 956-1340 to make special arrangements.
 
Please note that this is an application process. Not all applicants will necessarily be accepted into the Fringe Festival.

All applicants must submit press materials and/or a demo to the Fringe Festival in order for their application to be considered.

The Fringe Festival does not charge an application fee for outdoor performers but we do reserve the right to cancel any or all future performances by that performer should they fail to perform at a scheduled time.

 
CONFIRMATION THAT YOU ARE FRINGING IN WINNIPEG
The Fringe will contact all applicants informing them of their application status. All international companies are responsible for acquiring their own work permits and visas.

The Fringe will provide a letter of invitation to the companies accepted into the festival, but this does not guarantee entry into Canada.

 
REVENUES ON THE OUTDOOR STAGE — PASSING THE HAT
All outdoor performers are encouraged to pass the hat to generate revenue. Performers retain 100% of the revenue collected. The outdoor stage is marketed as "Outdoor Stage - Admission: Pass the Hat", and the Fringe continually informs and educates our audiences that this is the main source of income for outdoor performers.
 

TAXES
All companies/performers are responsible for remitting all fees and taxes to the appropriate agencies. Performers or companies who want to know more about taxes or are from outside of Canada are directed to contact the Fringe for more information.

 
BILLETING
The Fringe Festival will try to provide a billet for those performers who will require accommodations. If you require a billet, please indicate this on your application form. If you request a billet, you will be required to complete a billeting information form. The Fringe does not guarantee a billet placement and encourages performers to arrange their own accommodations if possible.
 

INTERESTED IN PERFORMING?
The outdoor performer application will be posted on this page in early 2012. If you are interested in being notified when the application becomes available, please email outdoor@winnipegfringe.com.


Questions?
E-mail: outdoor@winnipegfringe.com
Phone: 204-956-1340