2018 Fringe Festival Guide

By Rebecca Rafferty @rsrafferty

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No seven year itch here: Fringe, Rochester just can't quit you. The seventh annual Rochester Fringe Festival kicks off Wednesday, September 12, and this year has expanded to a whopping 11 day stretch of more than 500 shows taking place in and around downtown Rochester.

The performing arts-focused fest spans all genres and boasts shows for every taste and events that are appropriate for every age. Dig into this handy guide to preview this year's Fringe-curated Headliners, learn more about British mass-karaoke sensation Massaoke, and get a taste of a variety of shows our critics are excited to check out.

CITY Newspaper will offer extensive coverage of the 2018 Rochester Fringe Festival. Look out of daily blogs during the fun of the festival, with photos and reviews, at rochestercitynewspaper.com. And let us know how your Fringe is going on social media with the hashtag #fringeCITY.

For a full schedule of the festival, a list of venues, maps, and other info, see the official Fringe Festival Guide, or visit rochesterfringe.com.

In This Guide...

Rochester Fringe Festival

Festival Info

The seventh annual KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival will host more than 500 performances in and around downtown Rochester. The Fringe’s official website is rochesterfringe.com, where you can find a full schedule of events, purchase tickets, and get the latest information. The Fringe also has a handy app available on Google Play and Apple App Stores.

Sep 5, 2018
Rochester Fringe Festival

Headliners

Eddie Izzard

By Amanda Lynn Sep 5, 2018
Rochester Fringe Festival

Rock 'n' roll singalong

Massaoke is kind of like that cover band you always wish you had started.

By Daniel J. Kushner Sep 5, 2018
Rochester Fringe Festival

Critic's picks: Adam

"Mo-to-the-oncle," "Totally Rad! An 80's Pop Adventure," "A Jazz Musician Walks into a Comics Shop," and more.

By Adam Lubitow Sep 5, 2018
Rochester Fringe Festival

Critic's picks: Amanda

Storychick Rochester Storybooth, "Josephine, a burlesque cabaret dream play," Light Painting Experience, and more.

By Amanda Lynn Sep 5, 2018
Rochester Fringe Festival

Critic's picks: David

"Carrie: The Musical," Phil Shakespeare and The Lord Chamberlain's Other Men present "The Tempest," "The Violet Hour," and more.

By David Raymond Sep 5, 2018
Rochester Fringe Festival

Critic's picks: Leah

"Love and Information," "Fielder's Choice," and "The Spyglass Seven."

By Leah Stacy Sep 5, 2018
Rochester Fringe Festival

Critic's picks: James

"Art Lobotomy: Peering Into The Creative Psyche," Ask Us Anything Booth, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Artists.

By James A. Brown Sep 5, 2018
Rochester Fringe Festival

Critic's picks: Daniel

The Immersive Igloo, "The Year's Models," Eastman Percussion Ensemble: "Steve Reich's 'Drumming,' " and more.

By Daniel J. Kushner Sep 5, 2018
Rochester Fringe Festival

Critic's picks: Kathy

Bushwhacked Backyard show series, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," "Lost in the Shuffle," and more.

By Kathy Laluk Sep 5, 2018