Fringe Festival's focus on original works

Hamilton's Fringe Festival is back to liven up the city in a 10-day frenzy of creative expression.

Festival co-ordinator Jo Williams, 34, said Hamilton Fringe is all about celebrating the eclectic.

"It's probably the festival in Hamilton with the most inclusive range of arts - we do visual, performance, theatre. Nothing is left out."

This is the first time Hamilton Fringe is being run under the independent Hamilton Fringe Trust, set up in August last year.

"Our focus is still on works which are original," said Jo.

These range from Shakespeare acted by six people to a gig under Victoria St Bridge.

A mural of two huia birds by artists Eno and Lupavision was painted on The Meteor, where most festival shows will be based, just in time to welcome festival goers.

The Meteor foyer also exhibits childrens' artwork about the key to happiness.
Free events include a Samba street party and an exhibition of storybook worlds in shoe boxes at Waikato University's Art Fusion Gallery.

Also free entry is [prescence], a contemporary dance showcase incorporating special effects over Hamilton Gardens' Turtle Lake.

"I'm not sure how they're going to do it, it's very technical, but it's going to look spectacular," said Jo.

A sculpture graduate from Otago Polytechnic, Jo has lived in Wellington and Melbourne but finds Hamilton has the most welcoming arts community.

"We don't really have art snobs here. You would have no friends and have to move out of town."

Door sales are $5-$16 or by koha. The festival runs from March 12-21.
www.hamiltonfringe.co.nz