This “Fringe Festival” Sure is Wacky! Ear to the Ground Ed Chulmsky
Ever since Friday, Philadelphia has been filled to the brim with young folks doing all sorts of wacky stuff: yodeling in the streets, dancing in crazy costumes, and generally causing a good-natured ruckus! All that nuttiness can only mean one thing: yep, it's time for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival!
For 11 years now, the Fringe Festival has been bringing oodles of "cutting-edge" theater, dance, and even comedy to our fair city! Now, the only type of "cutting edge" I'm usually familiar with involves my morning shave–but I'm no square, and I'm always looking to add a little spice to my life! That's why I've already bought tickets to see some pretty kooky stuff!
First up is Sea of Birds. (Doesn't exactly sound like the sort of "sea" you'd like to take a dip in, does it? Ouch!) According to my trusty brochure, it's got live musicians, dancing, and puppetry! Wow! I've heard of musicians and dancing, but puppetry, too? Now that's a combination even Shari Lewis and Lambchop couldn't have dreamed up!
Then on Thursday I'll be seeing Car, which takes place in a–you guessed it–car–in a West Philly parking garage! It'll be just me and three other passengers in there, and I've got to admit, ol' Ed isn't quite sure what he's getting himself into! But as long as I don't have to pay by the hour when I leave, I'll be a happy fella!
On Saturday, I'll be closing out my Fringe-ing with a play called Strawberries & Jellybeans! To be honest, I'm not really sure what the heck it's about–but if there are strawberries and jellybeans involved, well, you can count me in!
I'm not sure if I'll be seeing anything else after that–I guess you could say I'll be playing it by "ear"! But if there is a performance you think I might like, just let me know–I'll be the one dancing the "funky chicken" as I leave the theater!
Manayunk “A Logical Choice” to Host Red Bull-Fueled Idiocy September 2, 2008 –
Representatives of Red Bull yesterday said that Manayunk was "a logical choice" to host Saturday's Red Bull Soap Box Derby [see video below], given the neighborhood's extensive experience with Red Bull-fueled idiocy. "With its combination of steep hills and Red Bull-and-vodka chugging troglodytes, we felt that Manayunk was a natural fit for the race," said company spokeswoman Tiffany McVeigh of the traveling amateur derby. "It's a match made in high-level-marketing heaven."
The neighborhood's business owners agreed. "I'd think [Red Bull] would've wanted to have it in Manayunk even if The Wall wasn't here," said Beat Street's Rick Arrington of the steeply inclined Lyceum Ave., where the heavily-branded race will be held. "If ever there's been a place for reckless dickbags and Red Bull, this is it." According to Bourbon Blue's Trina Oliver, "I am absolutely dreading this soap box thing. I mean, no offense, but I think we attract enough aging, jacked-up frat boys on Saturdays."
The racers, meanwhile, looked forward to the youth demographic-targeted competition. "I hear that this Manayunk place is pretty welcoming to people who drink Red Bull and smash up their cars," said Cameron MacLean, of Riverside, CT's Big Bertha team. "I don't think I'd want to live there, but for something like the derby, it sounds pretty great." McVeigh was similarly effusive. "We've held these races in places like Seattle, Providence, and St. Louis, but none of them have been so Red Bull-ready as Manayunk," she said, smiling as she held up a can of the sickly sweet, overcaffeinated beverage. "Mmm. And a wonderful town deserves a wonderful drink."
This “Fringe Festival” Sure is Wacky!
The neighborhood's business owners agreed. "I'd think [Red Bull] would've wanted to have it in Manayunk even if The Wall wasn't here," said Beat Street's Rick Arrington of the steeply inclined Lyceum Ave., where the heavily-branded race will be held. "If ever there's been a place for reckless dickbags and Red Bull, this is it." According to Bourbon Blue's Trina Oliver, "I am absolutely dreading this soap box thing. I mean, no offense, but I think we attract enough aging, jacked-up frat boys on Saturdays."
