A Nerd’s Guide to the 2024 Vancouver Fringe Festival

The Vancouver Fringe Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and this event promises to be big. Just where one can find the cake will depend on what they announce for parties. And for those at Terminal City from September 5th to 15th, Granville Island will be abuzz with lots of fun events for all to enjoy! This list does not include the acts from the Victoria show that will be coming over. For a list on that, please visit this guide.

What I offer is mostly a sampling. As I’ve said before in my preview for the Victoria event, each year won’t necessarily be representative of everything that can arrive for any local event. Here are my top five picks (please note, the links go to this festival’s ticket office for that show).

Hot Dog!

Devon More Music

Devon More Music presents an outdoor art-rock show… for the dogs! Canines and their human companions can enjoy Devon’s infectious originals alongside curious cover songs in the open air – under the cover of Granville Island’s Picnic Pavilion. This show aims to turn the old adage “never work with children or animals” on its head, and prove that anything is paw-sible!

All well-socialized dogs and humans, big or small, young or old are welcome to join in the pet-a-palooza. Parade your pet and earn tasty treats for tremendous tricks (provided by the Granville Island Pet Treatery). Have a ball with Devon’s Doggy Dance Party. Regardless of how ruff your day is going, this is sure to be a chance to unleash yourself and raise the woof!

seaMAN

2 Sleepy RatGuys

YARGH! Join the saltiest sea captain ever on a “30min scenic boat tour” This queer nautical comedy is like the deranged love child of Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse and Gilligan’s Island. This show is a whirlwind of revenge-fueled sea-venture combining outrageous physical comedy with a few dark twists and turns.

Alternately played by two actors, it’s a one-man-show by two featuring the saltiest sailor to ever set sail on the several seas. Prepare yourself for a hilarious on-stage scenic boat tour that promises fishing, the ocean breeze … and SO much more.

Full Metal Comedy

Full Metal Comedy

Full Metal Comedy is a stand up comedy show based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It was started by Shawn Cuthand and Danny Knight as a way to get stage time in Saskatchewan. In the prairies you can literally see that there is no stage time for miles and days! The show works like an open mic to encourage new comedians to give it a try, but for the Vancouver Fringe, we’re bringing our best!

Shawn Cuthand is a writer/comedian and producer based in Treaty 6 Territory from Little Pine First Nation. He is a part of The Feather News on APTN Lumi and has been doing stand up for 6 years. Danny Knight is an actor/writer/comedian and director from Muskoday First Nation and is the host of The Feather News on APTN Lumi. Ryan Moccasin is a writer/comedian and producer from Saskatoon, SK and is the CEO of The Feather News. he is also a novelist with the book “Suicide Empire” in his credits. Cheyenna Sapp will be at the first half of the shows as well. Cheyenna is a stand up comedian/actress/writer from Little Pine First Nation. She plays “Rose” on CTV’s Acting Good and performs all over Canada making communities laugh. Local comedian Sasha Mark will also be helping curate from the local talent pool to provide guest spots and hosting opportunities for the festival.

Camp Goneaway

Ragamuffin Productions

What’s lurking in the lake? Margot and Evie are best friends. When they hear a legendary sea monster is hiding in the depths of their camp waters, they are determined to uncover its secrets. For fans of Gravity Falls and The Babysitters Club Mysteries, this heartfelt campfire jamboree explores the relationship between girlhood and eco-anxiety.

This is a new work from award winning company Ragamuffin Productions: June Bug, FRANK.

Proximity: The Space Between Us

Theatre Terrific

Amidst the improbability of connections forming around us, “Proximity: The Space Between Us” , co-created by an all-abilities cast, delves into the delicate balance of distance and connection. Through a series of interconnected narratives that open into a realm of infinite possibility, this physical theatre piece embraces the emotional and physical complexities that define our shared humanity, inviting audiences to reflect on the threads that unite and separate us.