Norwich Fringe Festival - Opens May 6th - Events Commence May 7th

Line-up announced - Visual Arts, Live Literature, Music, Comedy, Theatre & Film.

Monday 26th April 2010

Today, the April showers came to Norfolk. The sky darkened quickly, the birds and bees took shelter, and a thundering downpour shook the land from Norwich to North Walsham.

As I ran across the busy carpark of a well-known supermarket chain, the rain soaked my skin, and I drenched my new brogues in a puddle. It was a sorry situation, by all accounts.

I remained, however, upbeat.

I was thinking of May, and The Bright Summer Sun. I was thinking of fine ale, and of alfresco dining. First and foremost, I was thinking about the vast array of Arts events that will be taking place as May runs its course, and primarily, the Nowich Fringe Festival.

The Festival line-up has been revealed, and the 2010 Fringe looks big. As it runs alongside the more established and international Norfolk & Norwich Festival (7th-22nd May), the Fringe will offer cultural occasions that draw much more on homegrown talent. Moreover, the event will provide a shot in the arm for the 2013 City of Culture campaign.

Amy Wragg, Festival Organiser, has said of the occasion:

“The Fringe is a very large part of the City of Culture bid. It's what's local and what's here anyway. A City of Culture should be about the people that live here all the time.”

The Festival opens on the 6th of May with a Press Launch, and events will occur throughout the city up until May 22nd. Proceedings are to start well. The Norwich Ukelele Society provide music at the Ten Bells on the 7th, while May the 8th will see the City Centre swamped by musicians, all gathering for the days' 'Big Busk'.

Be sure to keep a lookout for the various events taking place for the Norwich Fringe Festival. It's just one of many things shaping up to make May 2010 the brightest we've had for a while.