For both Fringe Festival fanatics and those just looking for some new sounds and visions, the Outdoor Stage is arguably one of the best deals of the summer. From May 16-27, free entertainment will be nearly continuous on Loch Haven’s green lawn, along with vendors of food and beverage goodness galore. So if you’re looking to check out some great local sounds of all genres, or just looking to decompress after a particularly intense show, you’re covered here. As always with the lawn, no Fringe buttons or tickets are required for access.
Opening Night
Revelers at the kick-off bash for this year's Fringe on Thursday, May 16, will be serenaded by the Bloody Jug Band and the Last Electric Rodeo. Also, very notably, Ms. Meka of local metallers Meka Nism is presenting a Creature Cabaret. There will also be show promos for some Fringe highlights and Dandy Darkly emceeing the night.
First Friday Fringe Dance Party
Expect the Fringe Lawn to get downright freaky at this first Friday bash with Luscious Lisa up close and personal, plus a phalanx of DJs from Stonewall club nights like Panic!, No One Knows I'm Disco and Yaasss! throwing down, and a ... silent disco?!?
Swamp Sisters La La
Beth McKee brings her heavy-hitting women's songwriting circle back to Fringe for the eighth year running on Saturday, May 18, with Sabrina Ambra, Gailanne Amundsen, McKee herself with her Funky Time Band, Shine and the Shakers, and of course, a few hoots and nannies. The event is a fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank, and the Sistas have been raising some serious coin for that charity.
Fiesta on Fringe Live Latin music returns to the Fringe lawn for a second year on Thursday, May 23, with a performance by Savi Fernandez and two sets from ATTO Music Project.
Swamburger Presents Trailblazers
As adventurous as Fringe is, this Swamburger-curated evening on Friday, May 24, promises to be just as boundary-pushing. The night features Skip, E-Turn, Amiam, Marz Mello, Uniqme, Ray Swift and more. The perfect way to lean in to the last weekend of the fest.
8th Annual Fringe Jambando
Also reaching the eight-year milestone is the Jambando showcase, and this beyond-eclectic lineup is coming to you on Saturday, May 25. Expect to groove along to Eugene Snowden (in the daylight no less), Prison Wine, Jestelle, Absinthe Trio and many, many more.
Southern Fried Sunday
Stalwart roots-rock showcase SFS returns to the Fringe outdoor stage on Sunday, May 26, with a mini-fest-worthy lineup that stretches late into the night – including Beartoe, Orange Creek Riders, Jordan Foley & the Wheelhouse, Kaleigh Baker's Someday Honey and the String Hoppers.
Luau on the Lawn
On Monday, May 27, the last evening of Fringe, wind down and decompress on the lawn during this tiki-themed bash complete with sets from the Ukulaliens, Big Tiki & the Mai Tai's and (OK, you probably will get a little wound up by this frantic set) the WildTones.
