JEFFERSON PARK — A record number of art lovers flocked to the Chicago Fringe Festival, which will start its sixth year with a new leader.
The nine-day festival, which ran from Aug. 28 through Sept. 7, transformed a church, liquor store and a banquet hall in Jefferson Park into homes for nearly 200 experimental, avant-garde and do-it-yourself performances from 50 artists and groups.
Heather Cherone says officials wanted visitors to see a different side of the neighborhood:
More than 4,300 tickets were sold for performances during the festival, more than in 2012, said Vincent Lacey, who stepped down this week as executive director of the festival before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.
More people in the seats meant more money for the artists, who receive 100 percent of the festival's ticket sales, Lacey said. The 50 artists split nearly $30,000, more than last year, he said.
Acts included a rap musical, a science-fiction radio play and a performance by drag entertainers from Utah.
The festival's second year in Jefferson Park after moving from Pilsen was a success — and created less controversy than it did last year, Lacey said.
"I hope people see we put on a good show," Lacey said. "We just want to bring more theater to Chicago's neighborhoods, not overthrow middle-class sensibilities."
This year, the festival spread out into the Jefferson Park Business District, with "yarn bombing" along Milwaukee Avenue by the artist Annaloux, who wrapped lamp posts, bike racks, trees with brightly colored knitted, crocheted and macramed yarn.
In addition, festival organizers used $5,500 raised with Kickstarter to expand Fringe Central at Fischman's Liquors, 4780 N. Milwaukee Ave., and turn the fest's main box office and after-hours party spot into an art-and-performance filled hot spot.
"It was a lot of fun," Lacey said.
Next year, the festival hopes expand Fringe Central even more, perhaps by closing down streets and creating more of a traditional festival atmosphere with food and musicians playing for tips.
Anne Cauley, who has been with the festival since its founding, will take over as interim director for the fest, Lacey said. A call for applications will be issued in a few weeks, he added.
"If you have a passion for working long hours for very little pay, this is a great position," Lacey said, laughing. "I hope Fringe Fest has a long life in Chicago."
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