The Old Clubhouse - Buxton
We knew that Buxton Fringe 2017 would have to have a different shape and face to that of 2016 after confirmation that the two venues in the cellars of the Old Hall Hotel would be lost as performance spaces as a result of the multi-million pound redevelopment of The Crescent as a 5* spa hotel. Over the past 11 years "Underground Venues" has been at the heart of much Fringe activity presenting numerous award-winning shows - comedy, theatre, music and more besides. People have been asking for months - "What is happening to Underground Venues?" Well, now we know. The following was posted on Underground's website earlier this week:
"We are very pleased to announce that Underground Venues has arisen from the loss of our original home under the Old Hall Hotel, to find a new home for 2017 in festival hub The Old Clubhouse. Following eleven successful years, Underground will return with another hand-picked programme of events at the 2017 Buxton Fringe.
"Popular with Festival and Fringe audiences for many years, The Old Clubhouse, opposite the historic Opera House, will form our new base of our operations. A brand new theatre space for 2017 will join an all-day Fringe Club and information desk, while the Arts Centre, just over the road, will continue to host our larger-scale acts.
"Underground Venues 2017 will run 4-23 July.
"Applications for all types of performance will open at the very start of February.
Keep an eye on the website and our Twitter and Facebook for more information."
This is excellent news for everyone involved with Buxton Festival Fringe - audiences, performers and other venues. It will help maintain the profile of the Fringe and draw people to it. If you want to bring a show to Underground at The Clubhouse make www.underthefringe.com a favourite and watch out for news.
Meanwhile a clutch of exciting shows are already confirmed for Fringe 2017. Mart Rodger's Manchester Jazz has a short residency at the Conservative Club. Mart's New Orleans inspired band played to almost 150 people at a recent Buxton lunchtime gig and we are thrilled to bits that the Band will be with us on 7, 14 & 21 July.
Among others returning to Buxton is the Sovereign Saxophone Octet which plays at the Methodist Church on 12 July. The Octet can be expected to bring a varied programme of arrangements - some music associated with the saxophone, other pieces that had origins long before the instrument was invented.
New to Buxton, and we very much look forward to welcoming him, is Richard Navarro who will be travelling from Kent. Richard writes for choirs and he will be working with local singers and put on a very special concert in Trinity Church on 8 July. You can see and here examples of Richard's past work here.
Over the coming weeks and months we'll be doing our best to highlight the shows Buxton audiences can look forward to this summer. If you are performing here send us your news and stories and we'll share them with audiences and readers.
Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
