New Zealand's Fringe Festival which encompasses everything from traditional classical concerts to off-the-wall street performance, reaches a milestone in its history in 2006, by being the longest running and the biggest Fringe Festival in the country. Now in its 13th year, Karen Blyth has been handed the reins to steer the at times wild, three week festival as its director.

NZ Fringe Festival runs from February 10 - March 5th. The full programme will be announced on January 27th 06.
New Zealand's Fringe Festival which encompasses everything from traditional classical concerts to off-the-wall street performance, reaches a milestone in its history in 2006, by being the longest running and the biggest Fringe Festival in the country. Now in its 13th year, Karen Blyth has been handed the reins to steer the at times wild, three week festival as its director.

NZ Fringe Festival runs from February 10 - March 5th. The full programme will be announced on January 27th 06.
"It's totally exciting at this early stage, as we prepare for the upcoming event," Karen says. With approximately 50 shows staged last year Blyth hopes to up the quota in 2006. "I'm really trying to encourage the whole idea that fringe isn't just a theatre event. It's definitely something that musicians and visual artists right across the board can join in."

Blyth's first love is music and hopes to add a greater music component to the festival. "We are going to have a Fringe produced music event. There's always been music involved in events but to give it [music] greater focus in the festival would be great. You have got to find a balance."

Fringe 06 will also host events that will cater for the whole family. Chalk the Walk will feature on the Wellington Waterfront where anyone and everyone from 5 to 99 years of age are encouraged to participate in drawing artwork on the waterfront path stretching from Te Papa to Frank Kitts park. There will be prizes for the best artwork along with theatre and musical performers creating roving entertainment. Fringe 06 will also be bringing back the highly successful Fricnic from Fringe 05. There will be a sound stage of bands, food and stalls at Frank Kitts Park.

Thirty one shows registered with Fringe 06 are celebrating this week. They are the excited and relieved recipients of Kakano (new works) funding.

Dawn Strindberg of Natural Wings Aerial Dance Company is one such lucky receiver. Her solo aerial trapeze show can now get under way. "When I got the phone call [that I received the funding] I was absolutely stoked. It means I can do it and not worry about venue hire and paying for posters."

Straight out of her Diploma in Circus Arts in Christchurch means that money is an issue for Strindberg, so the funding is invaluable. "It's amazing for me. This is my big chance to consolidate all my skills into a solo show - its bloody awesome."

Strindberg continues to rehearse in Christchurch and will bring her show, "The Life of Eileen" to Wellington in February, 2006 to Shed 11.

Thirty five applications requesting $68,458.74 were considered for Kakano (new works) funding. The Fringe Arts Trust is pleased to announce that a total of $45,000 has been allocated to the thirty one shows.

'Late Night Heaven' is another show grateful for the help of Kakano. A burlesque cabaret extravaganza on at the Paramount Theatre (official Fringe Bar of Fringe 06) over three weekends various local and international acts will perform anything from aerial shows to comedy, magic and dance. Tom Beauchamp describes it as a "modern reinterpretation" of the old burlesque cabaret days in the early twentieth century. "It's a bit fruity, a bit in your face - " Beauchamp explains that Kakano funding has made the show possible. "It will cover our technical requirements - lighting, some PA stuff, decoration and publicity."

Kakano funding is provided in conjunction with Creative NZ and the Fringe Arts Trust Board. Administered by the board, it is designed to give those, who need it, a helping hand to bring their performances to life during the Fringe.

To register to be involved in Fringe 06 contact fringe at welcome@fringe.org.nz for a registration pack or check out the website on www.fringe.org.nz