Dublin Fringe Festival
The Dublin Fringe Festival is an annual curated arts festival in Dublin, Ireland. The festival allows artists to submit their work via an application which is subsequently reviewed by the programme manager. The festival is open to both Irish and international participants. The festival started in 1995 and expanded into a sixteen-day festival, annually held in September and focuses on new and emerging artists. The Dublin Fringe has live entertainment as well as performances in dance, theatre, live art, visual art, and music. History. Originating in 1995, Bedrock Productions, with some support from the established Dublin  Theatre Festival and Arts office of Dublin City Council, created the Dublin Fringe Festival, to "promote and showcase the work of small and vibrant theatre companies and theatre makers". In the first year, Conor McPherson's "This Lime Tree Bower" premiered, and in 1996 Enda Walsh's "Disco Pigs" took off from The International Bar. Directors who have presented works at the festival have included Jimmy Fay (1995–1996), Ali Curran (1997–2000), Vallejo Gantner (2001 -2005), Wolfgang Hoffmann (2006–2007), Roise Goan (2008–2013), and Kris Nelson (since 2014). Successful works from past Fringe Festivals have included early plays by Conor McPherson, Enda  Walsh, Owen McCafferty, Corn Exchange, Loose Canon, Pan Pan Theatre Company, Semper Fi, Anu Productions, Danielle Galligan, and Eva O'Connor. Venues. Each performance takes place in a venue which is deemed most suitable to the show. This can range from a number of cafes and theatres, as well as less traditional venues such as the Liffey Boardwalk or on a Dublin bus. For a number of years until 2009, The Spiegeltent was a major part of the festival. This tent was erected in several sites including at Georges Dock. The Dublin Fringe Festival and Spiegeltent have attracted numerous shows, including  the cabaret/variety show La Clique. Sponsors. Past sponsors include Absolut vodka who sponsored the events between 2009 and 2012, as part of a four-year deal.