Fringe Files February 26

It's the final countdown

In one week it'll be all over bar the shouting. So maybe it' time to shout the bar!

Come join us this Sunday, March 2, at the Paramount Theatre for Fringe 08's final hurrah, the closing night awards ceremony and party. The glitz, the glamour, the freaky frocks and salubrious spirits. Big fun all round.

Ninety-five eligible productions are vying for the 13 awards up for grabs for in Fringe 08. Seventeen judges from the Wellington arts community decide the awards, with every production being viewed by at least two judges.

The award categories are:

  • Best Dance (supported by DANZ)               
  • Best Music (supported by Radioactive 89FM)
  • Best Visual Art (supported by Artzone)           
  • Best Outdoor (supported by Texture)
  • Best Comedy (supported by Becks)               
  • Best Theatre
  • Marketing Award (supported by Creature Design)   
  • Best ‘One Man Band’ / Solo Production
  • Best Production Design (supported by Resene)   
  • Most Original Concept (supported by Springload)
  • Where Did You Come From? - Best Newcomer (supported by EAT Wellington)   
  • Stand Out Performer (supported by Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance)
  • Best of Fringe 08


Derek Flores and Vinyl Burns from the Chit Chat Lounge will host the awards, with band The Flavour of Yesterday. Following the awards DJ Sweep will kick on with entertainment until the early hours.

Woo hoo! Come party with us!

Fringe Addict Cards

The Fringe Addict Cards are now only $10! We've completely sold them out from BATS, so the only place to get'em is from Fringe HQ on Civic Square.

Excess Cargo: The Movie

We were there, we saw it all unfold and we've got bruises from laughing so hard. Con's Excess Cargo show totally gatecrashed the Wellington waterfront celebrations for Te Papa on February 16 – via helicopter – then Con and his 100 vintage suitcases chased the mighty Queen Victoria out of the harbour.

If ya don't believe it, you can see for yourself when Con's Caravan slips a sneak preview of the resulting movie, at various daytime locations around Wellington (Cuba St, Courtenay Place, the Waterfront near Helipro, and Midland Place, Aro Valley etc) In the evenings it'll be parked outside BATS.

It all builds up to the grand premiere of Con's Excess Cargo: The Movie. This Friday 9pm at The Mighty Mighty. Entry by koha.

The Ghosts' Soiree

Sticking with the Mighty Mighty, we really do owe it to the gods of kooky creativity to single out this extravagant hootenanny. The ghosts are having a party, and it's in its second spirited week. Wednesday Feb 27, Thursday Feb 28 and then Saturday March 1, each at 8pm.

Featuring members of Ake Ake Theatre, Barbarian Productions and Zirkus.

White Bull changes

The Fable of the White Bull now starts this Thursday Feb 28 and Feb 29. Catch the website www.fringe.co.nz for further details.

A Fringe favourite returns

Last year's winners of the Fringe Outdoor category is back – not in the Fringe but we love 'em all the same.

Gravity and Other Myths  presents an astonishing circus spectacular, where science fiction collides with hard physics, will soon be making Civic Square look like a gravity-free zone.

It will run from 5 to 9 March at 7.45pm and from 11 to 15 March at 7.15pm. Also special 3.00pm matinee shows Sat 8, Sun 9 & Sat 15 March, as part of the Meridian Energy Summer City festival. Entry is by donation. Spectators are encouraged to bring a picnic and a cushion or folding chairs and to make a night of it.

Eight of the best, as picked by Phil and Carly Anne

The hardworking events organiser for Fringe 08, Carly Anne Oquendo, and our media man Phil Reed (notice how we left 'hardworking' out?) have teamed up to bring you the picks of the week. Both picked Ghosts' Soiree and Excess Cargo – but ew've already mentioned those fellas.

Hail to the Thief
A classic tale updated with the super scribe skills of award-winning playwright Philip Braithwaite, there's kings and adultery – plus we like that this play starts on Saturday March 1 and goes to March 8, giving a bit of extra life-after-Fringe (like how a good burp can give you fond memories of a lovely dinner). March 1, March 4 – 8, 6.15pm @ BATS Theatre

Jane Austin is Dead
Mel Dodge survived the closing of the Buena Vista Social Club to soldier on and present her delicious look at love, relationships and naughty behaviour at Good Luck Bar, close to the vanquished BVSC. February 26 to March 1, 7pm

Sheba's Philistine's
The gorgeous and talented Sheba Williams presents her latest musical escapade, Philistines, the follow-up to summer anthem Paikakariki. It takes a swipe at Wellington's rampant development and the loss of our architectural heritage. One night only, this Saturday 9pm at Happy.

Paul Forrest – New Works
One of the hardest working artists in town and a thoroughly nice guy as well, continues his three week-long open artist studio. Watch him paint, be part of the process at the Michael Fowler Centre 10.30am to 5pm daily until March 16. It's free!

Dave Wiggins is Yankeeish
Import comedian Dave Wiggins is one seriously funny young man, and he's chronicling his exploits as a Yankee facing life in New Zealand. Laugh at our kiwi way of life at San Francisco Bathhouse from Feb 26 to 19, then an encore March 2, 7pm.

Ruthie Bird and the King of Hearts
The ex-Face of Lotto (oh, and lots more!) Ellie Smith is rough on the streets with this play about Wellington's homeless people and the fascinating creeds and codes they live by. BATS February 29, March 1, then March 4 to March 8, all at 8pm

Requiem
With the first night's proceeds all going to support the Wellington Cancer Society, and with performances from the Crow's Feet Collective, a troupe of older women dancers, this is one of the most powerful and important dance events in the line-up. This Friday at 8pm (February 29), Saturday at 2pm and 6pm (March 1) and Sunday 4pm (March 2) at the Wellington Performing Arts Centre.

The Chronicles
From a deep dance show to one of the dopest. And by dopest, we mean freshest and flyest. The Legacy Dance Crew, finalists at the World Hip Hop Dance championships in 2006, are unveiling The Chronicles, their history of hip hop in New Zealand expressed through urban dance moves. Feb 28 to March 1 at Te Whaea Theatre.