Fringe Fest is a performing arts-laced evening, produced by Engine: Propelling the Creative Community in partnership with the Heart of Biddeford, two downtown organizations coming together to build community via the arts! The River Jam Fringe Fest provides a canvas for the performing arts community to showcase their talents with interactive performances and demonstrations in Shevenell Park and on Main Street.
Come experience diverse artistic offerings – an array of musical acts, a community weaving, visual arts, spoken word, dance, and more.
Where?
Fringe Fest will take place on Main Street and Shevenell Park; between Alfred and Washington Streets. Paid parking in all City lots but street parking is free and unrestricted after 4pm. See map for traffic access and detours.
What is Fringe Fest?
Fringe Fest is focused on the performing arts. Fringe gives a spotlight to theater, dance, music, visual arts, spoken word, and more. Fringes don’t have a focus on one single discipline or genre, but are an arts smörgåsbord!
Always free and open to the public, this arts festival invites unfettered expression. Ecologically, edges are where diversity meets to make new things possible. Traditionally “Fringe” at art festivals across the world, elevates those at the margins, welcomes the otherwise unwelcomed, and support artists and projects “out of the main stream”.
So we set our evening on Main Street, and invite folks of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to our our creative community together to share, make, and create together. Come listen! share! move! reflect! make something with your hands! meet a new neighbor or friend! and reconnect the power of arts and gathering together to inspire our belonging and hope for our collective futures.
Schedule details will be released soon, and will feature:
GEM CITY SUMMER OF HEAT MUSIC STAGE: Leading the Main Stage at Shevenell Park, The GEM CITY collective is a dynamic, eclectic group of performing artist and creators, featuring Genius Black, Susie Assam, TinyFoot, KevCoast, Drell, Shameek the God, lyendae, and Angelikah Fahray.
DANCE, MOVEMENT & CIRCUS ARTS: Biddeford Movement Map debuts new work sharing the stories of our community through dance, fire spinners return with visiting artists Almanac Circus Theater via Subcircle Residency and Hydra brings new side show activities!
IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCES: A new PortL is opening in Biddeford, are you ready?
INTERACTIVE ARTMAKING FOR ALL AGES: Join Engine, Art Bus, Hydra Art Collective, Bike Part Art, Studio Chickadee, the Art Certificate Program McArthur Library, Drift & Wander Boutique, and more for interactive activities for all ages!
ARTWALK: Check out the work of more than 30 artists and businesses sharing their work
As the kick off to River Jam, Engine is thrilled to partner with Heart of Biddeford to offer this evening festival in downtown Biddeford, in partnership with the City of Biddeford, and numerous artists, organizations, and volunteers. Thank you!
