Inverness is preparing to welcome its first Fringe Festival this autumn, but organisers are asking the community and local businesses to help get the ambitious new celebration of the arts over the line.

The Inverness Fringe Festival will run from Monday 28 September until Sunday 4 October, bringing more than 25 events to venues across the city during a packed week of performances.

The programme will include theatre, comedy, live music, spoken word, drag, cabaret and poetry, with both ticketed shows and free performances planned.

At the heart of the festival is an ambition to give emerging Highland talent a platform, including UHI students and independent artists from across the region.

Organisers have now launched a crowdfunding campaign to help support the first festival and are also looking for businesses interested in becoming corporate sponsors.

Festival organiser Siobhan Neylon said:

“I am so excited to bring this fabulous event to Inverness.

“The whole concept is to give emerging local talent including local UHI students and independent artists from/based in the Highlands a proper platform.

“The city will feel fresh and vibrant, with over 25 ticketed events as well as many free performances for people to enjoy”

She added:

“It’s inclusive, eclectic and it’s ready to shake up the Highlands and we would love to get some support in place through our crowdfunder.”

“Culture and the arts are so important, and we would greatly appreciate any donations from individuals or businesses who are passionate about our city.

“The Inverness Fringe is shaped by the community and will bring locals and visitors together all whilst showcasing the of incredible variety of Highland talent we are proud to celebrate.”

Creating a new festival from scratch is no small undertaking, particularly one spread across different venues and involving dozens of performances, artists and events.

The crowdfunding appeal gives people who want to see a new cultural event established in Inverness an opportunity to play a direct part in making its first year happen.

For the city, the Fringe also offers something beyond the individual performances, with the potential to bring audiences into Inverness venues, introduce people to emerging artists and add another event to the city’s growing cultural calendar.

If its first year captures the imagination of audiences, the Inverness Fringe could become something that returns and grows with the city.

For now, however, September comes first, and the organisers are hoping Inverness will get behind them and help put the city’s first Fringe firmly on the map.

For corporate sponsor enquiries, contact sponsor@invernessfringefestival.co.uk 

For Crowdfunding link – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/inverness-fringe-festival

To find out more: Home – Inverness Fringe Festival