Creative talents from Senegal, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, Brazil, Ghana and Portugal will join their Nigerian counterparts as from November 19 for the second Lagos Fringe International Festival.
This year’s edition of the multi-disciplinary open-access arts showpiece will run till November 24 at Alliance Francaise/Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, and Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos Island.
There will be a curated programme to celebrate Women in the Arts and Creative Transitions for the Performing Arts Culture in Lagos at Alliance Francaise/Mike Adenuga Centre. Activities will include official festival launch, live shows and plays, panel discussions, playwriting classes, screening of short films, and documentary films selected from local and international filmmakers. The film screenings and performances are free to the public for November 19 and 20. All non-English films will have subtitles.
Programmes at Freedom Park include discussions on arts and health. There will also be film screenings and performances in music, spoken word, games, talent shows, alternative music concert, comedy and plays from 21 through November 24.
An initiative of the Kenneth Uphopho and Brenda Fashugba-led Performing Arts Workshop & Studios (PAWSTUDIOS), this year’s Festival is in partnership with Multichoice Nigeria, British Council Nigeria, Freedom Park, and Alliance Francaise.
Commenting on the event, Festival Director, Uphopho said, “Since last year, participants and show producers at Lagos Fringe Festival have consistently brought together a wide variety of eye-catching plays and bold new works that remove barriers between actor and audience. They creatively use space and intimate storytelling to intensify the audience’s experience.
“The events are always presented in repurposed spaces and not necessarily focused on the conventional. Lagos Fringe Festival productions are timely and relevant, whether free or ticketed, inspiring a sense of community/ownership, engaging conversation, and prompting audiences to reflect on the stories long after they have left the venues.”
On her part, Fashugba added: “We are revolutionizing the creative industry with the introduction of Lagos Fringe Centre Stage talent show. We encourage collaboration and co-creation among artistes, professionals and amateurs. We are focused on fostering a community of daring creatives that will lead the world in innovation in the arts and consistently create breathtaking experiences across all genres.”
Apart from workshops and performances, awards would also be given out to deserving members of the creative industry who have distinguished themselves as advocates in their respective fields at the Festival. Members of Lagos Fringe Advisory Board make up the jury, which will review all the shortlisted candidates that are in-competition and announce the winners of the Lagos Fringe Awards at the official opening. There is also a cash prize to be won at Lagos Fringe Centre Stage Open Mic talent show.
