Fringe Festival returns to Overture Center

Overture Center's second annual Fringe Festival returns this month, celebrating daring artistry, imaginative storytelling and the kind of creative risk-taking that makes live performance unforgettable. 

The Fringe Festival is inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, the world’s largest arts festival. Thousands of artists gather each August to perform in venues large and small. Overture Co-CEO and Chief Artistic Experiences Officer Tim Sauers travels to Edinburgh each year to check out new talent and attend shows to determine what to bring to Madison. 

“I saw 49 shows in just a few weeks,” said Sauers. “That’s the magic of Fringe — you never know what’s around the corner. One show might make you laugh until you cry, the next might leave you speechless with awe.” 

Many of the artists performing at Overture’s Fringe Festival got their start at the Edinburgh Fringe. Sauers’ travels have brought extraordinary performers to Madison audiences, including “Baby Wants Candy,” “Shamilton,” “Chris Grace as Scarlett Johansson,” “The Kinsey Sicks” and “Cirque Flip Fabrique: Blizzard.” 

“Seeing artists live, in the thick of that creative energy, is how we find shows that surprise and inspire our audiences here at home,” said Sauers. 

When asked about his favorite performances from Edinburgh last summer, Sauers had several to share. 

Overture’s Fringe Festival celebrates that same boundary-pushing spirit all weekend long with performances and events happening Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1. This year’s lineup includes “The Naked Magicians,” returning favorites “Shamilton” and “Baby Wants Candy” and more.  

“Fringe is about discovery,” said Sauers. “It’s about finding new ways to tell stories. It’s about giving artists the freedom to take big risks and audiences the thrill of seeing something entirely new.” 

New this year, Overture’s Fringe will also feature additional free performances and activities for arts lovers of all ages to enjoy. On Saturday, fill up on traditional festival fare, including hot dogs, fried chicken cones, ice cream and more from our food stands in Overture Hall and Rotunda lobbies. Plus, check out local artists throughout the building, including Wild Rumpus Circus, Polka! Press, an art market and doodle artist Ronnie Walter, along with a drag show featuring Bianca Lynn Breeze in the evening.  
 
On Sunday, enjoy additional free local talent from The Hitterz Collective and Arclight. Papa-Kobina Brewoo & The Hitterz Collective delivers a dynamic hip-hop dance performance, followed by an interactive workshop. To round out the weekend's free performances, Arclight will be in Promenade Hall with dazzling light displays. 

Join us as we celebrate an unforgettable weekend of performances, community and creativity at Overture’s second annual Fringe Festival!