It’s time for the 17th annual Rogue Festival!
The Rogue Festival is a non-juried performance and visual arts fringe festival that happens every spring in Fresno’s Tower District. Performances take place over the course of two weekends and run the gamut from theater to dance to spoken-word to music to magic to pretty much whatever.
This year’s festival will run March 2-10, and will feature 200 performances by 48 performing groups in 10 venues.
The thing about Rogue that you need to know up front is that it’s a fringe festival, meaning it’s totally uncensored—anything goes.
“The Rogue Festival is built on a principle that is sacred to us—that there should be no censor, no curator, no selection committee standing between the artist and the audience,” says Rogue Festival executive director Heather Parish. “We don’t choose who can or cannot participate in the Rogue. We don’t select or reject performers. There are no restrictions on what performers can say or do. For the audience, this is the one event in the San Joaquin Valley where you can see raw, uncensored, unmediated performance—and only the audience gets to say what’s good or what’s bad.”
Fun, right?
As is tradition, the festival will kick off with the Rogue Festival Teaser Show on Thursday, March 1, at the Tower Theatre. This is the event where you can get a taste of some of the 2018 performances, and even meet the performers. It starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased here.
Full performances begin on Friday, March 2. Here are some of the notable performances you can expect to find at the 17th annual Rogue Festival.
Visiting Performers
• BikeFace
By Nat Vickers. A two-wheeled adventure of Canadian proportions! BikeFace spins strange-but-true stories from a cross-country ride: graveyard groundskeepers, wild west proprietors, and wanderers with secrets only fit for strangers.
• Bursting Into Flames
Martin Dockery returns with the hysterical story of one man’s gonzo romp through the afterlife!
• Neighborhood Watch
A comedy from Lisa Pedace about what goes on in the neighborhood and who’s watching.
• The Sybil of Mars
By L. Nicole Cabe. The Sibyl, a seer from Mars, has been sent to Earth to steal ancient records. She must learn why her home world’s ecosystem is collapsing before Earth authorities ship her back. Using tarot cards to trigger each piece, Sibyl works with her audience to form a plan.
• Standardize This! Tales of a Medical Actor
Donna Kay Yarborough returns with tales about her day job—being a Standardized Patient. When an improv comic with a sketchy health history plays patient for student doctors, what results is an awkward, hilarious, and moving insight into the human condition.
• Meddle to the Petal
Rivalries take root in this masked comedy from Claire Patton. The botanical stakes are high as meddling neighbors duke it out for first place in the annual gardening competition.
Fresno and San Joaquin Valley Performers
• State Your Name for the Record
By Amelia Ryan. Mrs. Conway trains her court reporting students by re-enacting the roles of prosecutor, witness, judge, and defense attorney in a murder trial where more than the defendant’s life is at stake…
• Fresno Writers Live
Hear Fresno Writers from Fresno State’s Master of Fine Arts program, including voices from the San Joaquin Literary Association, Chicano Writers and Artists Association, and Fresno Women’s Reading Series.
• Blood Harmony
The Murray Girls blend their voices in Blood Harmony: singing cheerfully macabre murder ballads, traditional tunes, Celtic songs, and pop. Wistful stories set to heartbreakingly beautiful melodies.
• Does Fresno Get Into Your Stuff?
Rogue veteran Blake Jones has yet another question about “Art.” How does “place” affect your work? This is a panel discussion/performance with working artists that changes nightly. Be prepared for song, dance, poetry, and some provocative ideas.
• Mansplaining
What do men really think? Why are men such pigs? Can men be redeemed? Comedian/sex traitor Jaguar Bennett spills the secrets of the fouler sex in a hilarious exposé that may make you like men again.
• Sinatra & Sax
Robert Hofman, Jr. performs vocals of Sinatra’s signature hit tunes and renditions of smooth alto sax sounds in the style of Paul Desmond and Johnny Hodges.
• The Dish
By Marcel Nunis. Start with the tale of a global quest. Stir in a healthy dollop of spicy international intrigue. Garnish with a secret ingredient. THE DISH—A Culinary Thriller served to you … while it cooks.
A World of Magic
• The Magician So Amazing, He Amazes Himself!!
After three years, Illusionist Bryan Patrick returns to the Rogue Festival! A magic show for audiences of all ages. Bryan has prepared more magic, more laughs, more fun and more amazement for the 2018 Rogue Show.
• Magic of Elder Returns
The Magic of Elder is back and on the main stage for the first time! This year Kyle Elder is not alone, and he will be debuting new and never-before-seen magic. Join Kyle and his special guest as they put a new spin on some of the Magic of Elder classics!
• Hotter Than Potter
Expect the unexpected from world-class Magician Keith Brown. He’s inspired wonder in over 17 countries and counting. Toronto’s Best Magician and he’s not even from Toronto! See it to believe it!
• Implausibly Delicious: The Magic of Tim Mannix
Tim Mannix is a comedy magician and mentalist, whose experience includes appearances at Hollywood’s world famous Magic Castle to touring California with his Wacky Science show. Rated “H” for hilarious
For a full list of performances, times, and admission costs, visit the Rogue Festival website here.
…
After 17 years, the Rogue Festival is now one of the oldest festivals of its kind in the United States and has built a nationwide reputation for Fresno as a city that celebrates the arts.
“Fresnans who attend the Rogue don’t always know this, but artists all around the country talk about the Rogue Festival as a ‘must-do’ event, because of the tremendous support that the Fresno community gives Rogue performers,” says Parish. “Performers love coming to Fresno because of the way they are welcomed by the audience, Rogue volunteers, and local performers. Rogue performers immediately feel they are part of our community, and they always want to come back.”
Be sure to follow the Rogue Festival on Facebook for updates.
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