Are you ready for Fringe World 2016?

Summer in Perth used to mean, test cricket, a trip to Adventure World in the school holidays and days spent at the beach, until a forward thinking arty type suggested we join the Fringe World Alliance and in just five short years, put Perth on the world stage, offering what has become the third biggest Fringe event in the world.

It has changed the way we plan our summer nights and has shaken off that ‘dullsville’ tag faster than Taytay can get her next hit out. Forward thinking arty-type, we salute you!

Yesterday saw the release of the 2016 Perth Fringe World program, and the city was abuzz with fans trying to get their hands on a copy. With over 700 events across the five week program and 150 venues across the city, the metro area and regional hubs to choose from, it would be wise to start planning your Fringe feast now, because it will take you that long to get through the 140 page booklet.

Kick off

Fringe World Perth kicks off with a five day opening Super Weekend starting from 22 January through to 26, which is of course, Australia Day.

The extended weekend will see the Pleasure Garden in Russell Square transform into ‘Little Pleasures’ on Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 5pm with a free and fun program for the kids, including the Fringe World mermaids, a silent disco, the Fringe World ferris wheel, and the brand new Get Lost Maze.

Mum’s and Dad’s can simply chillax in the shade with a local brew.

An adult oasis will operate in the Cultural Centre Urban Orchard (renamed the Fringe World Orchard for the period) and showcase nightly DJ’s and silent discos.

This venue is the ideal place to spend Australia Day with a great view of the fireworks from the elevated position. Street food vendors will be positioned at both venues to keep the hunger pangs away.

What’s New

Each year the organisers raise the bar a nudge higher and push the boundaries a little further, but it’s all part of the Fringe ethos and what keeps the crowds coming back for more.

In 2016 we will see the introduction of more market stalls in the Pleasure Garden along with the Nova 93.7 Ping Pong Parlor.

Ice-cream lovers, hold onto your Sensodyne because a soft serve ice-cream bar will be a new fixture along with extra food and beverage vendors.

The big Spiegeltent will move to a new home in the WA Museum Gardens, where the popular and risqué cabaret show La Soiree will perform nightly.

But the biggest addition this year is the Fringe World Fairground forming part of the grand opening of Perth’s Elizabeth Quay.

The Fairground will operate from 29 January to 6 March with Fringe World providing all the entertainment for this historical event. The new inlet space will be bursting with acrobats, circus performers, facepainters, fairies, pirates, live music, entertainment and vintage rides.
The highlight activity at the Fringe Fairground will be the Urban Roller Club, bringing back a bit of the retro era with an inner city roller rink for all to enjoy.

And If That’s Not Enough

There are all the shows, hundreds of them. From comedy, cabaret, dance, theatre, film, music, circus, visual arts and children’s events, what’s not to love? The 2016 line up of artists and comedians is second to none.

While the focus on local acts and artists is always at the forefront of Fringe, and more importantly, the whole reason it was set up for Perth in the first place, it is good to see Woodside throwing some weight behind the Homegrown Heros program to ensure our own creatives are getting their share of the ticket sales and promotional space.

With 41% of the program made up by WA shows, 32% national and 27% international, the Westralians have a good piece of the pie.

So make sure you support them, because they too, have mortgages to pay and children to feed. Heaven knows if arts grants were a quokka, something would be being done about the thugs that keep giving its industry a beating.

Outer Limits

If you live in the regions or happen to be out of town for the month of Fringuary, then don’t despair. Fringe will hit the road with shows venturing out to Kalgoorlie, Mullewa, Ravensthorpe and Geraldton, to name a few.

Perthect Performance

There are hundreds of statistics to support the popularity and economic impact the Fringe World Festival has had on our city, but one only needs to spend a couple of hours in the Pleasure Garden or Perth Cultural Centre to see the positive effects it injects into our people and moreover the atmosphere of the CBD.

Get out there and feed your habit, binge on your Fringe and make 2016 the best year yet.

Fringe World Festival Perth starts January 21 to March 6 (if you include the extended Elizabeth Quay opening event). Check out the website for more details and get booking. Fringe World Festival (http://www.fringeworld.com.au)