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Blindfolds, country music comedians, rockabilly gypsy punk and tape artists.... Dunedin showcases art, innovation and experimentation in the South Island’s only Fringe Festival.

The 2011 Dunedin Fringe Festival has attracted over 50 comedy, music, dance, theatre and visual art acts, including its biggest ever line-up of comedy and touring artists.

Blindfolds, country music comedians, rockabilly gypsy punk and tape artists.... Dunedin showcases art, innovation and experimentation in the South Island’s only Fringe Festival.

The 2011 Dunedin Fringe Festival has attracted over 50 comedy, music, dance, theatre and visual art acts, including its biggest ever line-up of comedy and touring artists.

The Festival from 17-27 March will be the eighth Fringe Festival held in Dunedin since it was founded in 2000.

In keeping with Dunedin's rich history as a music hub, the Festival presents biennnial experimental music event Lines of Flight which will be held in Port Chalmers over three days. Plus, Dunedin will be the first to see several comedy acts that are in New Zealand for the International Comedy Festival in Wellington and Auckland in April.

What makes the 2011 Dunedin Fringe Festival so unique is its focus on experimentation. A non-curated Festival, the Fringe has an open access artist policy. Many acts and exhibitions hold their world premiers at the Dunedin Fringe.

“The Dunedin Fringe has built a reputation as a launching platform for emerging artists. We've had tons of artists launch their careers here and go on to tour extensively internationally," said Paul Smith, Festival Director.

The plethora of visual arts, theatre, music, comedy and outdoor acts ensures there is something that appeals to every audience. Some key events that showcase the diversity of this year's Fringe include:

• Wilson Dixon, Cowboy Comedian from Cripple Creek Colorado, Winner of 'Best Local Show' and the Supreme Award, 'The Fred', at the 2010 New Zealand International Comedy Festival.
• The Barons of Tang, Melbourne based 7 piece band that mesh traditional gypsy and tango feels with circus, rockabilly and jazz into high energy music. The Barons of Tang will be performing at the official Fringe Festival Launch and at the Festival Club on the 17th March and at Otago University for the Pick of the Fringe on Friday 18th March.
• Still Life at the Station - A first time event for the Fringe, over 20 human statues from around the country will descend on the iconic Dunedin Railway Station.
• Pick of the Fringe - The Octagon will be transformed into a stage for the lunchtime performance series, and a tape art installation by visiting artist Erica Duthie.
• Festival Club at Bennu Restaurant - Hosted by Radio One's Aaron Hawkins, it's magical mayhem in a stylish setting with atmosphere to burn – don't miss the late night action from key festival music acts such as Bird Wizdom and The Eastern.
• Animae Tape Art - Artists Erica Duthie and Struan Ashby have created large ephemeral works of art on buildings around the world – with tape. In two locations they will evolve a mural over four days entitled Animae, drawing life-sized mythical creatures into public spaces. Come see the artists as they draw – you may be immortalised in their temporary mural.
• The Eastern - Christchurch band presents No Depression. Part concert, part play, part sing-a-long, part campfire story, part bar room string session features songs of history, hope, danger, drama, woe, solidarity, strength and sadness.
• Footnote Forté – Hullapalloi. Hullapolloi is a new work from Kate McIntosh and Jo Randerson made for Footnote Dance. Here is a group of odd creatures. They move together, breathe together – shuffle, grunt and fall together. With their special equipment and odd-shaped bodies they train, they play, they follow the rules. The rules are complicated and strict. They play again.

Full programme information and artist profiles are available on www.dunedinfringe.org.nz

Christchurch Update

Christchurch artists donate ticket sales to Quake victims!

A number of shows by Christchurch artists are still coming despite the trauma of the last few weeks. Sit & Spin Productions have confirmed they are bringing their show The Visitor despite having friends killed by the earthquake. They have had to recast the show as their actors have been relocated out of Christchurch or too badly affected to stay involved. They have since decided to donate any proceeds from their show at the Dunedin Fringe to the families of the victims.

Lyttleton band The Eastern have also decided to use their event, No Depression in New Zealand, as an opportunity to fundraise for the earthquake donating proceeds to the rebuilding of Lyttleton and the Red Cross Appeal. The Court Jesters' Court Theatre is damaged but they're still coming to entertain Dunedin audiences with their show Scared Scriptless - LOVE, and Once Upon A... The Clinic are still bringing their acclaimed show Love You Approximately and Tablo Theatre are bringing their amazing puppets.

We urge all Dunedin people to get out and support those who are making a huge effort to bring their show to Dunedin. These guys are amazing!

Cancelled due to Earthquake:

• Through the Looking Glass by Sarah Forgan