As the Sydney Fringe Festival announces the first highlights from its 2014 program, we caught up with new Festival Director Kerri Glasscock about her vision.
What does Sydney Fringe Festival mean to Sydney?
If asked to describe what the independent arts mean to Sydney, I would find it very hard to put into words, but all of us Sydneysiders would feel an enormous loss if we no longer had that bubbling away underneath. This festival aims to once a year bring that activity to the surface to highlight the incredible work our independent artists are doing. It celebrates the cultural heart of Sydney, which is produced and created by the independent artists. It highlights the small venues that nurture and cultivate new works; it promotes artists to new audiences; it puts people back in touch with their community to show them what’s hiding just around the corner.
What’s your vision for the future of the festival in 2014 and beyond?
In the past four years the festival has been finding its feet as an event. The project is now at the stage where it can step up and stake its claim on the annual events calendar of Sydney. This festival is unique to other fringe festivals around the world in that it is not attached to a main stage arts festival like Adelaide or Edinburgh, and it is so spread out geographically, which can be a challenge. I would like to see it embrace the natural cultural identity of the suburbs of Sydney and really celebrate the local artists, existing venues and cultural heart of the city.
What are the highlights on the program announced so far?
Much of our program is still super secret, but some of the most exciting new developments this year are our free public events. We will be hosting a roaming festival laneway bar that will move around the city from Darlinghurst to Sydenham with free music, films and art-based experiences. There will be a number of free family park day events and a new public forums program at the beautiful Eternity Playhouse. Some of the most exciting developments this year are our partnerships with some terrific local arts organisations.
How can people get involved with Sydney Fringe Festival this year?
Come and enjoy what’s on offer – that’s the best way to get involved. Early bird ticket vouchers will go on sale in July, which give people exclusive first release tickets to our 350-odd events. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with free events and pop-up activity throughout the festival, or if you want to lend a hand we’re always in need of volunteers during the festival, so hop online and get in contact with us.
The Sydney Fringe Festival starts on Monday September 1 and runs until Tuesday September 30.
