Elgin Fringe Fest Celebrates 13 Years of Diverse Performances

The Elgin Fringe Fest returns for its 13th year, featuring over 80 performances of dance, theater, music, comedy, magic, and more. Events run from Wednesday to Sunday across five downtown venues. Festival entry buttons cost $4, and performance tickets range from free to $12. You can buy a $95 festival pass at Side Street Studio Arts for access to events at Side Street and other venues like Elgin Public House, Habitat for Humanity, Martini Room, and Elgin Art Showcase.

Festival Highlights

Nick Mataragas, the Fringe artistic director, is pleased to see the festival thriving. “This festival has always found ways to succeed,” he said. The festivities start at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, with a preview party at the Martini Room. Artists will offer teasers of their shows. The new Fringe Cabaret, hosted by comedian Jose Alfredo, follows at 7 p.m.

Special Events

Key events include the Almost-Closing Party on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10:30 p.m. and the After Party on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m. “The closing party is a celebration,” Mataragas explained. “We celebrate successes, hand out awards, and bid farewell to touring artists.”

Performances to Expect

Expect a range of acts like The Snake Oil and Skullduggery Show (improv), Tap Into Time by Gregg and Katie, “Twilight-ish the Musical” by Slapdash Theatre, and many others. Be sure to check elginfringefestival.com for a detailed schedule.

Storytelling and Innovation

This year, the festival explores innovative storytelling. Chicagoan Lauren Kee will present her show “Dealbreaker” on Sept. 24 and 26 at Elgin Public House. The show discusses the impact of the herpes virus on her life. Kee describes it as comedy, storytelling, and education combined. Having debuted at Harrisburg Fringe Festival in Pennsylvania, Kee is eager to perform closer to home.

“The Elgin Fringe is the closest to where I live,” Kee said. “The organizing team has been supportive and top-notch in marketing.”

Diverse Acts and Opportunities

Mataragas emphasizes the diversity of the festival, with 22 local acts and 12 touring ones. “We have many new performers this year,” he said. “Come see a variety of shows. Experimentation is key to enjoying the festival.”

A Vibrant Art Scene

Fringe offers a chance for Elgin to showcase its vibrant art community. “Elgin is open to the arts. You see art in its purest forms at a low price,” Mataragas added. “Elgin’s journey makes it the perfect city for a fringe festival.”

Lauren Kee hopes her show will inspire viewers. “I hope my show can be a seed for someone else’s art,” she said. “Art is powerful for healing. If someone struggles, I hope ‘Dealbreaker’ inspires creation from pain or offers a sense of being seen.”