Dunedin Fringe to Launch Bumper Festival

Dunedin Fringe to Launch Bumper Festival

Featuring a massive 70+ events, the launch of the 2016 Dunedin Fringe Festival programme is one highly anticipated night. Festival Director Josh Thomas will officially unveil the programme on the evening of Wednesday February 3rd. The Festival begins one month later on Thursday March 3rd .

The event will reveal the printed guide and this year’s festival branding which promises to set the tone for the 11-day festival. The programme will be released simultaneously online at dunedinfringe.nz and ticket sales will also open. Following the launch, the physical guide will be distributed across the city and throughout the country.

The 2016 festival will be the biggest in recent years, attracting performers from around New Zealand and across the globe. An impressive 64% of events are produced in Dunedin, ensuring local stories and creativity continue to be a significant part of the Fringe.

On the eve of the Festival a number of shows will be previewed at the Polson Higgs Opening Night Showcase. In 2015 the high-energy taster was a hit with a near sell-out crowd at Dunedin’s iconic Regent Theatre. The Showcase offers audiences a unique way to preview 20 events and all that the Fringe has to offer, in one action-packed 2 hour show.

The Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust, who produce Dunedin Fringe, are also thrilled to announce their move to new premises at 26 Princes Street, thanks to the generous support of the Dunedin City Council. The move comes after spending a year in another civic property at 11 George Street.

“Moving into George Street at the beginning of 2015 was a fantastic stepping stone for the Festival in terms of expanding our operations, increasing our visibility and allowing us to engage more easily with the community” Festival Director Josh Thomas said. “The new premises will provide long-term security for the not-for-profit Trust.” he added. “This well positioned location provides us with a solid and secure base to work from over the coming years – something welcomed by the board, staff and local artists”.

Previously home to the Dunedin i-Site, 26 Princes Street is adjacent to the Dunedin Community Gallery, which will be home to an inaugural new project during the Fringe Festival.

Three partners have also been revealed for the 2016 Festival. “We’re very pleased to be working again with Polson Higgs Business Partners and Emerson’s Brewery, two long-term supporters of the Fringe and, as always, it’s such a pleasure to join forces.” Mr Thomas said. “And we are extremely proud to announce Otago Polytechnic are joining us as a partner for 2016.” he added. “The Fringe has enjoyed many years of collaboration with Otago Polytechnic so it’s a fantastic development to have this great institution on board as a partner, and in their 50th year to boot.”

The Festival receives core funding from the Dunedin City Council, Otago Community Trust and Creative New Zealand.

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What: Dunedin Fringe Festival

When: 3 – 13 March 2016

On Sale: 3 February 2016

More Info: www.dunedinfringe.nz

What: Programme Launch

When: 3 February 2016

More Info: www.dunedinfringe.nz

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