For the past half-decade, for one weekend in August, Oxford becomes a little artsy playground (well, more so than usual) when the Art-er Limits Fringe Festival goes down. On August 9–12, mini events such as the Blind T-shirt Exchange and the Blind Book Exchange, art and music performances, and art exhibits will pop up all over town, and participants and voyeurs alike can bond over fun experiences.
Some old favorites return with Iron Bartender, Secret Show, and Food Truck Fight.
Iron Bartender happens Thursday night from 7–9 pm at The Powerhouse, where local celebrity bartenders go head-to-head with a box of secret ingredients. The real winners are the guests who help select the top cocktail! This year’s featured liquors include Kirk & Sweeney, Uncle Val’s, and Macallan. The event, sponsored by Cathead Vodka and Republic National Distributing Company, is for festival goers 21 and up only.
Friday’s Secret Show happens from 6–8 pm and takes place in a secret location revealed the day of the event. Hint: There will be cocktails by Cathead and art by you. Shake it, make it, take it!
On Sunday, the Food Truck Fight will be at the Old Armory Pavillion from 5–8 pm. Snack for a cause and support local charities while enjoying treats from local food trucks. There will also be outdoor games, live music by Salt Wives, Honeyboy & Boots, and Luke Fisher as well as some surprises. Entrance is free, but your drink and food sales support local charities, so make sure to show up thirsty and hungry. The featured charities this year are: Junior Auxiliary of Oxford, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Oxford Film Festival, LOFT, Doors of Hope, and Exchange Club.
One new and very cool sounding event is Project(ion), which will happen on Saturday night from 8–11 pm in the breezeway by Uptown Coffee. Artists will illuminate the walls of the breezeway with interactive videos. Enjoy a coffee, beer from The Growler, or ice cream from Holli’s Sweet Tooth while taking in a totally different kind of show.
We at The Local Voice are always excited about Thursday’s Iron Bartender. It’s a great way to kick off the weekend with a few tasty libations and about fifteen of your favorite bartenders. We wonder who will claim the coveted title of Iron Bartender this year?
This year we are also looking forwards to the Oxford Film Festival’s special presentation of Roger Corman’s The Little Shop of Horrors, which will screen Friday night at 10 pm at The Powerhouse. Little Shop of Horrors is a 1960 American black comedy film and is one of Jack Nicholson’s first roles (not to be confused with Frank Oz’s 1986 adaptation starring Steve Martin). Make sure to get there early to catch the 1 Minute Affirmations Two: Electric Boogalou with performance artist and professional hot mess Kayleigh Graham. The concept is really simple. Fill out a card and let her tell you that everything is going to be OK. No problem is too big or too small. And who couldn’t use a little motivation on a Friday night?
On Saturday evening at 5 pm, make your way to the Powerhouse for the launch of Glennray Tutor’s debut art album Portals presented by Square Books. There will be refreshments plus a book signing with Glennray Tutor and a conversation between him and Deborah Freeland.
Also on Saturday at the Powerhouse, catch a live performance featuring multi-talented performer Larry Clark from America’s Got Talent and Comedy Central. This show features a wide variety of circus acts including juggling, sideshow, comedy, and magic, and it will begin at 7 pm.
YAC encourages festival attendees to download the free Distrx app, a new addition for this year that features an interactive map showing you when and where events take place. (Look for Fringe Fest under the Events tab.)
There are also many, many other fun things to do and see over the weekend. Pick up a Festival Button, which gets you into all Fringe Festival events from Thursday through Saturday for only $35 for YAC members or $40 for nonmembers. Another option is the Day Pass, which gets you into one day of Fringe Festival events. Passes are available for Thursday ($20 YAC members or $25 nonmembers), Friday, and Saturday (each $15 YAC members or $20 nonmembers). You can buy your buttons and passes online at oxfordarts.com, or you can call the Arts Council office at 662-236-6429 or email yacoperations@gmail.com for more information.
While you are out and about enjoying the festival, be sure to use the hashtags #arterlimits #oxfordfringefest to join in on the social media fun.
For a complete schedule of events, visit oxfordarts.com/events/fringe or pick up a printed schedule at The Powerhouse.
