by Jordana Merran
No, This (at left) is not a show of 4th of July patriotism. It’s actually a sampling of what you might see at this year’s sixth annual Capital Fringe Festival, the area’s premiere celebration of creative, contemporary, and often… exploratory performing arts.
Going on now – and until July 24th – over 100 (very) different productions will be staged at venues across the city. From a glow-in-the-dark martial arts performance by Illuminate; to one woman’s dramatic retelling of her move from convent to maximum-security prison in “Destination? Slammer!;” from Opera Alterna’s risqué take on (soap) opera; to a puppet sea life musical in “Pascal’s Aquarium.” And don’t forget the men dressed up as chickens in “Tales of Courage and Poultry!”
If adopted zombies (“The VindleVoss Family Circus Spectacular!”), angsty teenaged girls (“On the Rag to Riches”), or hyper-hilarious cheerleaders (“Totally Kimleigh”) aren’t your cup of tea, you can always grab a pint of beer (or Prosecco—it’s on tap) at Fringe home base, The Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar, on New York Avenue, which will feature live musical performances every night during the festival (meanwhile serving up delicious cheap eats and a seriously mean turkey burger).In a town with more film festivals than you can shake a stage at, Cap Fringe is DC’s special delight. Tickets and more information here.
