Lots of exciting news…
First, let’s talk confirmed venues.
We have all three venues back for next year. That is; Vinoteq, Maison Dieu, and SQ Gallery. Plus I have two rooms at Dover Marina Hotel. Of course both Maison Dieu and the hotel are wedding venues and can’t 100% confirm for the dates for next year just yet, even so should a wedding occur we have plans on how to work around that.
Another venue of sorts that has only just begun discussion a few days ago; is including a film festival as part of Dover Fringe. My idea for programming was well received in the conversation with Screen South about programming and they feel it would be a great introduction for them arriving in town at The Bench. More to come such as where we are actually going to put the films on for a start!
I have in mind a couple more venues I would like to talk to too.
There could be something cooking with EKC too in some form… More on that in the autumn.
The Shows.
Applications open for acts early September for programming starting in January. Festival dates will be 14th-16th May and should there be overflow and/or wedding date conflicts as mentioned we will also run 21st-23rd May.
Either refresh the page often or look out for emails (like this one) as to when you can apply.
As usual spreading the word to any hopeful performers etc. I really want to encourage anyone to consider applying, and now I have an idea of what works in certain venues I will be changing the website a bit to show what and where I’m likely to program.
Fringe festivals are a wonderful opportunity to try something a bit risky (i.e. new or untried material) with low financial risk. Just do it. There is great talent in the area and it would be wonderful to see it.
Helpers.
I’m always looking for those who want to be involved and will offer eternal gratitude. As to what and how we will get there at some point. Communicate via email or any of the socials and/or sling something on the ‘Take Part’ page of the website.
Getting the word out.
PR is a constant task. I’ve already participated in World Fringe Day and here is are some of the outcomes of that which World Fringe shared with us:
54.3 MILLION estimated reach
3,492 online mentions
90,100 interactions
Just stop and think about that for a moment…
This wasn’t one festival.
This wasn’t one organisation.
This was hundreds of Fringe festivals, artists, volunteers, venues, audiences, producers and supporters from around the world all coming together to celebrate one thing…
As well as that awareness of Dover Fringe from reports back to World Fringe has placed us on the touring map and in a couple of weeks before Edinburgh Fringe kicks off I’ve been invited (along with other fringe festival organisations) to a Zoom meeting to present the festival as a touring option to acts (many international) wanting to know what is going on. As we are on at the same time as Brighton Fringe we did of course benefit from shows already in the area popping along to give us a go.
I’m also talking more with other Kent Fringe festivals and perhaps as I get to know them, something that benefits all of us might come out of some collaborations in the years to come.
Money, money, money…
Yes. The first year I did it with nothing and that was hard. This year some funding and blown away by how it turned out. Same again or dare I say more funding for next year then who knows what we could do… I will be on the grant application again when it opens and I really thank those of you who have contributed via Dover Lotto. Every penny from that helps. Thank you. I will see about adding one off donations to the website as that hasn’t occurred to be until right now.
2027 Here we come!
Just remember, Dover and the white cliffs are known around the world already, add in a festival that can be drawing shows from who knows where. That is exciting. I’m excited and I hope you are too. We have something potentially quite special here.
See you in May or happy to talk (often at length) about this to anyone wanting a chat before then.
Kev
MD/Artistic Director
Dover Fringe Festival