Orlando Fringe Officially Opens New Downtown ArtSpace as Curtain Rises on Winter Mini-Fest Today

Join Orlando Fringe in its brand new downtown home, for the 7th annual Winter Mini-Fest, a 4-day curated theatre festival.

Last night, Wednesday, January 11, Orlando Fringe celebrated the opening of its new, year round home for amazing art on Church Street.

The opening was celebrated with an amazing grand opening celebration with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and now that ArtSpace is officially open, the celebrations continue with the start of the four day, 7th annual Winter Mini-Fest.

The 7th annual Winter Mini-Fest takes place from Thursday, January 12 through until Sunday, January 15.

The entire 9,100 square foot Fringe ArtSpace at 54 W. Church Street will come alive this with exciting theatrical productions, as well as kids activities, and an art market.

The two performing theatre space within ArtSpace - a mainstage with 166 seats and a black box with 40-60 seats will see a variety of performances from morning to night

The four-day curated theatre festival includes the best of past festivals, new works by fan favorites, and brand new artists scouted from the international Fringe circuit with 18 artists performing several times throughout the weekend.

Shows

The performances you’ll see at Winter Mini-Fest were chosen to include top artists from national and international stages. Each offering something unique and different to experience.

Kids

The fun kicks for the kids kick off at 10am on Saturday January 14! There will be a free concert, plus craft activities and interactive play!

Art Market

The Visual Fringe Art Market will take place in the ArtSpace lobby, where you will discover artwork for sale and live art demonstrations.

There’ll be new artists everyday so don’t miss out!

100% of sales go directly to the artists and support local small businesses.

Saturday 12:30-5:30 pm Melanie Vigo Saturday 5:30-10:30 pm Dennis Hood Sunday 12:00-5:00 pm. Rachel VanDemark Sunday 5:00-10:00 pm Alex Gray

Fringe ArtSpace Winter Mini-Fest 2023 Highlights

There is so much happening at this weekend's Winter Mini-Fest, check out the highlights here, and go to the 7th annual Winter Mini-Fest website for schedules, and to book tickets.

ExperiMENTAL

Steven Nicholas

Steven knows what you're thinking and he's happy to prove it to you. Not only will he read your mind, he will help audience members uncover new abilities they never would have imagined they might possess. Audience choices in every show lead to new outcomes, making every performance a truly unique event.

How I Met My Mother

RibbitRePublic Theatre

An irresponsible bachelor answers the call to care for his ailing mother, while reckoning with his bad-ass past. But will his new-found skills be enough? A true story of love, family and the power of redemption.

Always Now

Michelina Moen

An interactive improvisational dance experience where the audience submits songs to create a unique playlist, then Michelina interprets the music through movement. A unique experience in the NOW.

Rosegold

Donna Kay Yarborough

Meet Jamie. She is an alcoholic. She is a survivor. And she is haunted by an unfathomable darkness. At tonight’s meeting, it’s Jamie’s turn to share. We all have valid reasons why we drink, but some reasons are more terrifying than others. Horror/Suspense

The Awkward Ballerina

Beth Marshall Presents

United States Premiere! Directed by TJ Dawe. Brought to you by The Inclusivity Project & Beth Marshall Presents!

Montreal storyteller Kristin Govers shares her true story about having cerebral palsy and wanting to become a ballet dancer and ultimately having to reimagine that dream. She delves into the challenges and triumphs of growing up with a disability, being bullied, joining a sports team, singing at a concert and going to her first high school dance. An inspiriting story of overcoming obstacles and following new dreams! Going to her first singing audition, being on stage for the first time, and learning to ride a bike. A story that encompasses the superpowers of true friendship, family, hope, love, and the strength it gives us to pull through. The show had its World Premiere at Montreal Fringe in June 2022.

Kristin hopes to spread awareness about CP and bring a message of hope to those facing similar challenges.

Bloodline

Paris Crayton lll

Bloodline is a love story told from the perspectives of three generations of men with the same name. Paris Sr., a sharecropper in Mississippi, meets the beautiful Ruth one night at a juke joint and goes on a relentless pursuit to make her fall in love with him. Paris Jr., an animal technician, welcomes his new son into the world and navigates love and life as he struggles with his new fatherly duties and second thoughts about his marriage. Paris III, a starving artist, searches for love in multiple relationships and cities.

Paco Erhard. Worst. German. Ever

Paco Erhard

Paco Erhard is German, but he has other problems too. Kicked out of Germany for his sense of humor, he now has a new 6-month goal: Fix America and save the world. How hard can it be?

Laugh away the madness with Orlando’s favorite German comedian in his most mischievous, hilarious show yet.

Vulva Va-Voom: Hollywood Psychic of the Golden Age

Vulva Va-Voom & Company

Gritty comedian Vulva Va-Voom gets a mysterious gift...or is that "grift?" She ditches her Vaudeville schtick for a supernatural talent: contacting stars of the 1950s. With help from a dummy possessed by Jimmy Stewart, the nightclub ne'er-do-well battles an uptight intellectual property lawyer & the fleeting nature of fame itself. From the triple threat behind 3 Fringe "Edge Award"-winning pieces comes this risqué, goth-y cavalcade of nerdiness.

VariesTEASE "on the move"

Bluelala Entertainment

VarieTEASE, created by BlueStar, made its debut at Orlando Fringe in 2007 with CARNIVALE (Patrons Pick, Pick of the Fringe) Winner of Critics Choice Award, Best Dance Show, Patron's Pick and Best Costumes VarieTEASE is well known for its musical sound tracks that take you on a ride from beginning to end.

The cast of characters is known for their dynamic dance, improv skills and singing talents. VarieTEASE is an Orlando staple and a MUST SEE!

The Sack: A Play on Superheroes

Airtight Theatre

Spyn Isaac was an everyday nobody until he discovered he had the uncanny ability to redirect projectiles away from himself. Using this power and a regular sack as a mask, he became Mega City’s new superhero, “The Sack” and faced off against the city’s most sinister villains. Watch him reenact his story while playing every character! Winner, Critic's Choice Award for Best Solo Show- Comedy, Orlando Fringe 2021!

Sing Out Proud!

Natalie Sings!

Sing Out Proud uses the musical and comedic talents of Fringe veterans Sarah-Lee Dobbs, Natalie Doliner and Ned Wilkinson to tell what is, on its surface, a sweet little story about finding the strength to be who you were created to be. Scratch that surface and you will find a darker reminder that no one, not family, not church, and certainly not government should be able to tell you what is and is not okay to be.

It tells this story of finding strength and pride through the music of The Carpenters, whose first album came out the same year as Stonewall, and whose songs (This Masquerade, Someday, Love Me For What I Am, etc.) often went deeper than many realize.

Written in reaction to DeSantis’ anti-LGBTQ actions, the show is a reminder to never, ever, EVER get involved with ANYONE who doesn’t love you for who you are!

A Terrible Show for Terrible People

Bonnie He

A Terrible Show is 50-minute physical comedy show with only 1 performer and 2 spoken words. WINNER: Best Comedy at Hollywood Fringe 2022!

The Real Black Swann Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen

Kurkendaal-Barrett Presentations

Winner of The Doric Wilson Award , Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival, Fringe Encore, Producers pick , Cincy Fringe , Foundation Spotlight Award , Halifax Fringe . This is the true story of William Dorsey Swann , former slave who became the "Queen of Drag" in the late 1800's . Swann was also one of the first Queer activists . This is a wonderful story of leaning how to speak your truth.

The Barn Identity

Erika MacDonald

Erika MacDonald (BEST SHOW-13 Dead Dreams of Eugene) went to the ER because of a movie she saw. Now she's obsessed with Falling-Down Barns.

Cross Country: A Self-Help Concert Performance

Portals Theatre

Two strangers take off from their hometowns in search of a new adventure and the promise of a happier life. Told through the real and raw concept album by Dan Drnach. Orlando Fringe Patron's Pick Winner 2021!