The Liberal Agenda – AUCKLAND FRINGE PROGRAMME FULLY LIVE 20th Feb – 4th March 2018

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We didn’t think it was possible, but the Auckland Fringe festival has just gotten Fringier. The second half of the Fringe programme has just been released, adding another 32 shows and 17 venues to the line-up, which takes place from February 20th to March 4th. The programme extends from a Summer Zinefest in the city to virtuoso violin concerts, interactive jury trial performances and interactive digital dance works to boat trips up the river Whau. Auckland Fringe 2018 is a celebration of the new, of the independent, and of the ability of the arts to build connections between us all.

The 2018 Auckland Fringe is the first annual iteration of the festival – an organic result of the momentum created from the success of the 2017 Fringe. The Auckland Fringe has existed in various guises since 2009, but it wasn’t until the current Festival Director Lydia Zanetti took over during make-or-break times, and carried off an explosive Auckland Fringe in 2017 that we’ve seen it start to show its teeth. Acknowledgement of this success by the sector saw the Auckland Fringe win a new award for Community Spirit at the Auckland Theatre Awards early this December. And with the newly packaged two week festival now released Director Lydia Zanetti couldn’t be more pleased by the direction in which the Auckland Fringe is heading –

“Because of the open access nature of the festival (if you want to be involved, you can!), artists really determine what this festival is. Therefore it’s very reflective of where the community is at, where Auckland is at,  and what we are struggling with and moved by. I’m continually awed and invigorated by the incredible people that connect with Auckland Fringe – this year’s programme is sprawling and full of unexpected joys! People are pushing the boat out (in one show quite literally) and connecting with new audiences and finding new spaces to try out new forms. It’s exciting, invigorating, and moves with its own momentum and energy. We’re very excited to share it with Aucklanders across the whole region.”
Lydia Zanetti, Director of Auckland Fringe