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| Fun times: from l-r, Sam Slide, Rob Harrison, Ian Bowns and in the front, musician and Spirit of the Fringe winner Darren Poyzer, who took the photo |
The loss of everyone's favourite managed venue, the Green Man Gallery, after the Rotunda had taken down their dome the year before, plus uncertainty about the location of our only remaining managed venue, Underground, caused some anxiety at first.
We need not have worried as Underground managed to find another venue, the Buxton Working Men’s Club, transforming the old billiards room into a first class venue; the WMC built a bar down there too.
Underground also transformed the old Track and Trail shop in Spring Gardens once again, ensuring Fringe goers got their steps in walking between the two venues.
We have many venues acts can use and venues that have had limited use in the past stepped in to replace the void left by the loss of the Green Man Gallery. The Palace Hotel hosted a range of events bringing one of the biggest crowds seen on the Fringe when local man Andy Mycock packed 180 people into the big ballroom.
Another big hotel in town, the Lee Wood, hosted a comedy weekend where Chris O’Neill of Jesters Comedy Club brought his popular shows A Political Brunch and AComedyTapas as well as some of the best comics on the circuit there too.
As veteran Fringe performer Sam Slide said to me, it’s not only about seeing the shows but also hanging out with Fringe folk. This year the acts all seemed to get on really well, attending each others’ shows, chatting between shows whilst encouraging, praising and adding to that positive vibe. It’s funny who you get to know being a volunteer on the Fringe. In the early ‘90s in Liverpool, one of the best DJs on the rave scene was Dj Vertigo. Who would have thought he would become a performer and 30 years later we would be hanging out after his shows in Buxton? I may have even put a reference to one of his big tunes in my review of Steve Vertigo's show.
For some reason when the Morris Dancers arrive in town the heavens seem to open. This year was no exception but the town of Buxton looked after them; the shelter outside the Springs Shopping Centre meant those dancing on wooden board stayed safe, plus they all enjoyed the hospitality of RedWillow and the wooden floors in there made a great place for dancing. We were treated this year to not one but two days of dance, a full weekend to celebrate 50 years of Chapel Morris; they should maybe make it a full weekend every year.
Buxton Fringe makes Buxton a better, happier place in July. Want to get involved as a performer, a volunteer or just learn a little more about the Fringe? Then why not join us at the Pump Room opposite the Crescent on 12th November for our AGM from 7-9pm? We will have a very short bit of business then plenty of time for a drink and a chat.
Rob Harrison
Fringe Events co-ordinator
Buxton Fringe
Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe
Instagram: @buxtonfringe
