For over 30 years, the Buxton Festival Fringe has provided a alternative to the three-week run of the more classically-orientated Buxton Festival (which has international opera and high profile literary talks at its core).
The open access Fringe goes from strength to strength each year and now has a respected and professional image with a full-colour brochure, reviews of all shows, prize funds and many artists using it as a preview before appearing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. From its relatively small beginnings, the Fringe has grown considerably, in 2010 boasting nearly 600 events from over 150 entrants - its biggest programme to date. The 2011 Fringe takes place between July 6 and 24.
This year's programme of events is already coming together with entries being listed as they come in on the newly redesigned Fringe website: http://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk/programme.php
The printed programme will be widely distributed from the beginning of June.
The Fringe provides a showcase for performers and artists of all kinds in a variety of venues. With a programme comprising Comedy, Dance, Film, For Families, Music, Spoken Word, Street Theatre, Theatre and Visual Arts, the Buxton Fringe offers something for all tastes.
The Fringe Committee is made up of dedicated volunteers who have helped turn the Fringe into the success it is now. The Fringe does not undertake any selection, censorship, financing or selective promotion of individual events. It does however, try to ensure that every event in the Fringe receives a review, and organises the much-sought-after awards at the end of each festival.
As well as the active members of the Fringe Committee, the Buxton Fringe has a highly supportive group of Fringe Friends, now numbering over 160, who take part in regular activities when the Fringe itself is not running.
The Fringe joined British Arts Festival Association in 2007 and it co-hosted BAFA's annual conference held in Buxton in October 2007. In 2010 the Fringe took part in BAFA's Roadshow in Manchester giving a well-received presentation on Digital Marketing.
While Britain may be burdened by cost-cutting and financial belt-tightening, in the 2010 Fringe 9867 tickets were sold - 12.6% up on last year, with an 8.8% rise in the number of people buying tickets.
Last year's successes included the Buxton Art Trail, showcasing art and craft exhibitors across the town, often in their own homes, and the pioneering Buxton Military Tattoo, performed under the University of Derby's Dome to a capacity crowd of 800.
Fringe chair Stephanie Billen says: "The Fringe is always exciting because anyone can enter and we see performers at the height of their powers and also just starting out. Though it is growing, it retains a very intimate atmosphere and a reputation for friendliness of which we are very proud. The spa town of Buxton is not only a beautiful location but a very supportive community and we are especially grateful for the back up we receive from many organisations including our main sponsor, the University of Derby Buxton, plus supporters Trevor Osborne of the Crescent Spa Hotel Project, the Old Hall Hotel and High Peak Borough Council."
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