Big Man Little Bike Fringe Fundraiser

Jeff Ferree is no stranger to the challenge of working small but thinking big. He is known for producing a Fringe show in the smallest venue imaginable, a closet in the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, which housed his puppet theater and an audience of up to 14 people. On Saturday September 24th at 8am, he has vowed to ride this tiny red bike ten miles on the Cady Way Trail to raise funds for the Orlando International Fringe Festival. 100% of the money raised will support the Fringe. His journey will begin at the entrance to the trail at the Fashion Square Mall and will end at the Cady Way Trail bridge which crosses over 436. I asked Jeff if I could sketch him at the bridge.

The tiny red bike is incredibly difficult to ride. I tried riding it on the sidewalk and my hiking boots kept getting in the way. I took my boots off and managed to bike a short distance in my bare feet, but the tiny handlebars wobbled the whole way. My knees stuck out making me look like Ichabod Crane. Jeff will have to do some serious training if he is to go the distance.

If you would like to pledge to the Bikeathon here is the contact info.
Orlando Fringe

398 W. Amelia Street

Orlando, FL 32801

Attn: Bikeathon

Fringe Festival ribbon cutting.

The Orlando International Fringe Festival began May 18th. I got to Loch Haven Park around 5:30pm and the Green Lawn of Fabulousness was already crowded. Classic rock musician, John Lowbridge, was playing guitar on the outdoor stage. The large tented area was packed with people sampling food and drink. I rushed past the beer tent, but stopping to shake Mike Maples hand. He was offering red and white wine to help promote the show he is in called "Big Swinging Dick's Topless Bar and Drag Queen Farting." The title says it all.

Inside the Shakespeare Theater I bumped into Jeff Ferree who has the smallest venue at the festival, a walk-in closet where he is staging a puppet show. He says 13 people can squeeze in but it looks tight. I arranged to try and sketch his theater between performances. I doubt I could sketch with a standing room only crowd, I get claustrophobic. Then I ran into Pepe who was leaving a trail of white feathers from his flamboyant boa as he paraded back to the outdoor stage. There he took to the stage to announce to all the "mommys and poppys" that the ribbon cutting ceremony was about to begin. The Fringe cheerleaders held the ends of the purple ribbon. Beth Marshall, Matt McGrath and an assortment of board members were on hand. Patty Shehan made a proclamation announcing the beginning of the 20th annual Fringe Festival and with a quick snip the two halves of the ribbon fluttered to the ground.

After the ceremony most people went inside the Shakespeare Theater for the Fringe Gala Show in the Margeson Theater. John the guitarist started packing up his amplifier and the endless miles of electrical cords as he got ready to leave. We talked for a bit about music and art and then I packed my things to see if I could get another sketch inside the Shakes of the Gala show.

Fringe Preview

The Preview for the 20th Annual Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival was held at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Fringe is twelve days of art, music, dance and theatrical madness. Fringe begins May 18th through May 30th. I decided to sit in the mezzanine which was at the very back row right in front of the sound and lighting booth. I figured the green light issuing from the booth would give me enough light to sketch in and that theory worked out. There were 30 acts listed in the program so there is no way I can give you a taste from all of them. Each act had a thumbs up, a thumbs down and an F you hand gesture to rate the acts. Things got off to a great start when the "Downtowners" hobbled on to the stage. This singing and dancing group were all aged 70 to 95 and their rendition of "Stayin' Alive" took on a whole new meaning. The audience loved them.

The festivities were hosted by Beth Marshall and Michael Wanzie. The smallest and Fringiest venue last year took place in a closet and Jeff Ferree will once again feature puppets in this cramped walk-in theater. In the preview if any act ran over three minutes, they would be interrupted by the Fringe Cheerleaders who would shout out Gimme an "F", gimme an "R" until the audience spelled out and shouted Fringe! This kept the show moving at a fast clip. Kevin Thornton's film where he tried to explain and justify his show "I love you (we're f@#ked)" was hilarious.

I was disappointed when it was announced that "Dog Powered Robot" could not perform at the preview. Instead a show titled "Squatters" took to the stage. They set up a small cardboard shanty town and started an insipid act about hunting for Easter Eggs. They were then rudely interrupted by Dog Powered Robot sending Easter eggs flying and cardboard boxes tumbling. The audience didn't know what hit them. It was a fun evening where anything could happen, and usually did. Fringe is fast approaching like a freight train with no breaks. Order tickets for your favorite shows now or you might be left in the irreverent dust.