Friday, September 17, 1999 — North Shore News ~ 15 inding the fun of Vancouver's Fringe Fifteenth annual theatre festival alive on the Drive Martin Millerchip Curtain Call COMBING the Fringe for a “good” production requires you to define your own terms quite clearly. Do you want to see great performances, great scripts, or just have a good time? It's rarely possible to have all three at once, although the experience of cruising the Commercial Drive area is always such a lively trip that even mediocre theatre somehow shines within the street’s frenetic context. Do you want to support your friends in their production, catch the show with that actor in it that you've always tiked, or see that English company which has collected good press at Canada’s other fringe festivals this summer? The 10-day theatre festival (this year’s is the 15th) is always actor-centric. That is: a majority of the offerings will feature an actor or actors taking advan- ‘tage of the Fringe to do something they have always wanted to do. A lesser number of pro- ductions will be writer-driven as new scripts “get a first production to “test the waters.” _ The Fringe does not censor or choose. The first 100 or so applicants in January will be the ones in the September Fringe with a few _last-minute replacements. It’s an equal-oppor- tunity-fest and you’re just as likely to experi- ence an hour that seems like two as theatrical joy. , . ; You can do your research by reading, the ~ reviews (there’s a tent in Grandview Park Contest rashes art CALLING all artists: professional, amateur, - aspiring or those just . thinking about it. — ‘The 13th annual Granville Island Ferries Garbage Can - Art Contest taxes place . Sunday, Sept. 26, fron: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main courtyard of Granville Island Public Market. Join the fun as 25 artists turn metal garbage cans into works of art. The resulting masterpieces will be auctioned » to the public by broadcast personality Dave Abbott, wirh all proceeds going to support ~ art therapy at B.C. Children’s Hospital’s cating disorders clinic. _- Cash prizes of $250, $159 and $100 will be awarded to the tog: three creations. Metal garbage cans are provided by “Granville Island Ferries. Artists _ provided their own art sup- - plies and vivid imaginations. - - Afternoon entertainment will be. provided by local Celtic band Blackthorne. Judges for this year’s event - will be Vancouver Art Gallery director Alf Bogusky, Preview magazine editor Janice Whitehead and gallery owner and Opdon Art Map publish-" er Trudy Van Dop. To participatz in this year’s i competition call Kevin ) McKeown of Festival ” Communications at 681-0041 for fixrther details. _ Y photo submitted COMFORT Me With Apples has two shows iett at the Web Cafe. photography: Genevieve Dorion-Coupal RICK Milier has garnered rave reviews across Canada for MacHomer. where you can even post your own) and talk- ing to other fringe-goers. Fringe audiences are the friendliest you will find anywhere. Complete strangers will happi- lv tell you what to see and what to avoid as you wait in line for the next show (lining up is one thing you will do a lot of at the Fringe). My own fringing has been somewhat limit- ed this year because I was out of town at the weekend. If TL can fit it in 1 still want to see Judith (recommended for its writing), MacHomer (recommended for its perfor- inance) and local writer Dennis O’Toole’s Red Tulip (just to see what happened to an early draft that showed promise). But you should find your own treasures. The prices are usually in the $10 range and you'll generally get your money’s worth. (All ticket moncy goes to the performers — the Fringe takes the $2 from the required Fringe Pin which you wear to all venues.) Last year’s experiments with adding per- former-created venues has grown to the point that there are 13 BYOVs (Bring Your Own Venues) listed in the program guide (available See Nucklehead page B83 ; CARPENTER Anvs & | InsEcrs | m SIGNS OF CARPENTER ANT INFESTATION... a © Sowcisst from wall/celling ® Crackling ond in wall/ceiling anic treatnient since 1935 A Le, Murs Bace rest contre. 926-0030:| “Apply na now on-line for a low cost ‘HOME. EQUITY MORTGAGE. Lender Broker fees may apply Sell your stu DA hours a cay. 1 days a week. WWHLASHOWS.COM sere i Wee % z * photo Pink Monkey Studios FRINGE veteran and UBC theatre grad Deb Pickman plays Susan in the shame- lees hussy production of My Left Sreast. emont illage Sunday, September 15, 1999 12:00 neon te 4:00 pm aye The Main Stage Marlin Ramazzini & Her Salsa Orquestra, Laurel & Jan (Family Entertainment) Other Entertainment Don Bryan & Noseworthy (Ventriloquist), - North Shore 4cademy of Dance Jefe) Edgemont Village Business & rofessional Association In The Lane Throughout the Day The Flow Riders (Extreme bike stunts) Free For Kids Ali Day Face Painting, Tattoos and Body Art, Caricatures, Beading Bracelets, Rice Table Play Centre for Tiny Tats, Baftoon Animais.