Hey Outdoor Performers,

Welcome to the Saskatoon Fringe!

Circle Buskers! Pop-Up Buskers! Baby Buskers!

Welcome to the Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival!

We are elated to have you join us at the Festival – running August 3rd to 12th, 2023 – in the heart is the Nutana district in Saskatoon. The 2023 Festival will play host to a variety of theatre artists, professional busking artists, and artisan vendors from all across the world.

Each year, creative and brilliant outdoor performers from all around enhance our festival with their unique acts, big and small.

In 2023, the outdoor festival site is in the arts-friendly Broadway district of Saskatoon with all theatre venues being within short walking distance of each other. 11th Street East between Broadway Avenue and Dufferin Avenue is closed to traffic for the duration of the Festival.

APPLY TO BE A CIRCLE BUSKER!

APPLY TO BE A POP-UP & BABY BUSKER!

VIEW OUR CODE OF CONDUCT

…Know Before You Go!

Application Process

Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis. We are able to accept up to 12 circle buskers, 12 pop-up buskers, and 4 baby buskers.

Circle busking slots are geared towards individuals or groups with large-scale acts (i.e. aerialists, escape artists, fire breathers, etc.).

Pop-up & Baby Busking slots are geared towards individuals or groups with small-scale acts (i.e. solo musicians, card magicians, living statues, etc.)!

Baby Buskers are those new to busking and are under 18 y/o: the fees are lower to participate, and you won’t have as much of a time commitment to the Festival.

When reviewing applications, we will be focused on:

exposing our patrons to a variety of art forms,
ensuring a quality experience for our patrons, and
providing a safe and respectful environment for our patrons, other artists, volunteers, and staff.

You will be contacted no later than 10 business days after submitting your application to let you know if we are able to offer you a space at the 2023 Saskatoon Fringe Festival.

Getting Ready for the Festival

A few months before the Festival, a staff member of 25th Street Theatre will be in touch to update any information collected in the application process.

The fee to participate is $150, plus GST. If you need to withdraw, please be advised that no refunds will be issued.

Before the Festival, take another look through your Agreement and confirm you have all that you need in terms of infrastructure, equipment, etc. for your show!

We want your performances to be a huge success, so we will help as much as we are able. That said, we are a small staff serving many artists so our capacity is limited.

We are happy to provide the following services for our circle busking artists:
– billeting services
– complimentary bus pass
– access to one, 15-V plug during the performances
– access to on-site storage space for performance items
– promotion on our social media accounts

We are happy to provide the following services for our pop-up and baby busking artists:
– access to on-site storage space for performance items
– promotion on our social media accounts
– complimentary bus pass
– discount on Fringe merch and artist pricing in the licensed area

Festival Time

Staff will begin to set up for the Festival on the Monday before opening – July 31st, 2023.

The Festival runs from August 3rd to 12th. The hours on weekdays are 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and the weekend hours (including the holiday Monday) are 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

A schedule will be provided to you ahead of the Festival, and you will be required to check in with the Artist Manager ahead of your performance time.

Each busker performance is allotted 45 minutes with an additional 8 minutes to set up and 7 minutes to take down.

…FAQs

What are the fees? When can I withdraw until?

How much does it cost to be a circle busker?
The fee to participate is $150, plus GST. If you need to withdraw, please be advised that no refunds will be issued.

How much does it cost to be a pop-up busker?
The fee to participate is $50, plus GST. If you need to withdraw, please be advised that no refunds will be issued.

How much does it cost to be a baby busker?
The fee to participate is $25, plus GST. If you need to withdraw, please be advised that no refunds will be issued.

What are the 2023 Festival dates and hours?

The Festival runs from August 3rd to 12th. The hours on weekdays are 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and the weekend hours (including the holiday Monday) are 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Where does the Festival take place?

The outdoor festival site is in the arts-friendly Broadway district of Saskatoon with all theatre venues being within short walking distance of each other. 11th Street East between Broadway Avenue and Dufferin Avenue is closed to traffic for the duration of the Festival and plays host to up to 30 artisan vendors. We host many arts engagement activities in W.E. Graham Park (602 Dufferin Avenue, behind Ecole Victoria School) which houses our sales office, food trucks, and our licensed drinking area.

**NEW THIS YEAR**: For two days only (August 5th and 6th), thanks to the support of the Broadway BID, we will also be closing Broadway Avenue between 10th Street East and 12th Street East. There will be artisan vendor spaces available in front of Ecole Victoria School for these two days only.

Where will I perform?

There are two circle busking pitches:

Broadway & 11th Street Pitch – This is a ground level, asphalt surface of approximately 30′ x 30′.
W.E. Graham Park Pitch – This is a wooden surface of approximately 24′ x 24′ with a 6″ rise.

Electricity is available at both pitches.

There are three pop-up and baby busking pitches:

Broadway Avenue – Sturdy Stone Stage in front of Ecole Victoria School
11th Street East – amongst the artisan vendors
11th Street East – near the entrance to W.E. Graham Park

The two 11th Street E pitches will be 8′ x 8′, and the dimensions of the Sturdy Stone Stage are approx. 10′ x 10′.

What support can I expect from the Saskatoon Fringe Festival?

We want your performances to be a huge success, so we will help as much as we are able. That said, we are a small staff serving many artists so our capacity is limited.

We are happy to provide the following services for our circle busking artists:

– billeting services

– complimentary bus pass

– access to one, 15-V plug during the performances

– access to on site storage space for performance items

– promotion on our social media accounts

We are happy to provide the following services for our pop-up and baby busking artists:

– access to on site storage space for performance items

– promotion on our social media accounts

– complimentary bus pass

– discount on Fringe merch and artist pricing in the licensed area

Will you provide access to electricity? A speaker? Microphone? Chairs?

Unfortunately no*, we are not able to provide these things for our buskers. It is your responsibility to bring what you will need in order to have a successful experience.

(*The circle busking pitches will be equipt with ONE u-ground plug to be used during your performance.)

We will set up a Facebook group closer to the Festival for all busking performers to be a part of if they choose. In the past, our buskers have had great success in renting speakers, PA systems, etc. together to split the cost.

How many performances do I get?

How many performances will I get as a circle busker?
You will have a minimum of 10 performances scheduled.

How many performances will I get as a pop-up busker?
You will have a minimum of 10 performances scheduled.

How many performances will I get as a baby busker?
Baby buskers are each allotted a minimum of two performances.

What happens if it rains?

Rain or shine, the Fringe goes on!

Should the weather devolve to a state where the Festival can no longer operate safely, The Theatre reserves the right to cancel the Festival in whole or in part due to weather circumstances which jeopardize the health and safety of the Vendor, Festival staff, Festival volunteers, and/or Festival patrons.

There are no refunds issued for any cancellation due to inclement weather, but we will endeavour to reschedule any missed performances in good time.

Saskatoon Fringe Festival

More information about the rest of the Festival.

LEARN MORE

History of 25th Street Theatre

Saskatoon’s oldest professional theatre company.

LET US KNOW!

Shoot us an e-mail at info@25thstreettheatre.org

or call 306.664.2239 and we’d be happy to get you more info.