The Reading Fringe Festival is held in the week running up to the Reading Festival and is a showcase for local talent in music, comedy and the arts. It is also an opportunity for local music and arts performers to put on events of all kinds for the people of the local community. The first Fringe Festival in 2005 saw music ranging from Aqua Levi's roots reggae to Pure Reason Revolution's nu-prog, via the cartoon-ska-pop of Six Nation State. People also flocked to dance lessons, art exhibitions and comedy shows all over town.
 | | Six Nation State are confirmed to play. |
This year an even more comprehensive programme is planned, with the festival branching out into film and theatre as well as music, art, comedy and dance. Project manager Luella Forbes said: "We want lots of people to come along and volunteer and put whatever they want on. It's not selective, they can do whatever they like and keep any money for it. We'll just help them organise it and publicise it." Also on the Fringe Festival committee is Alex Kaupa, himself in a band called White Sunday. He explains why they're so dedicated to putting on this event: "With Reading going up into the premiership we're now looking at natural exposure for the town - the town which wants to become a city - and although the Reading Festival is obviously a fantastic event which we're very lucky to have in our back garden, it only covers music and it almost starves the rest of the artistic community in Reading from all the exposure it gets. "Reading has got a great music scene obviously but this is a chance for anybody who does anything artistic to come forward and get some sort of exposure." Elaine Conroy is the person to contact if you're a film-maker who wants to get involved. She says: "Reading film-makers come out of the woodwork, we're hosting a
short film festival this year. We'd really like you to send in your short films for selection - anything up to 20 minutes long. Whether it's animation or a music video, I'm interested in seeing anything."
So, if you're involved in anything to do with arts and would like to be a part of the Reading Fringe Festival, then email for more information. The committee are also looking for promoters, venues, sponsors and volunteers to help advertise the event.
email:
readingfringefestival@gmail.com | 
