Get Out! It's the Last Weekend of the Capital Fringe Festival

by Peggy Robin

More than half the summer has gone and along with it, all but the last weekend of the Capital Fringe Festival. In past years, the Capital Fringe Festival was a huge deal, a giant creative hive in the capital, buzzing with plays, stand-up comedy, musical performances, dance, cabaret, and all kinds of experimental theatre, for two or three weeks. And it always garnered lots of publicity, including here on the Cleveland Park Listserv. After a Covid-induced hiatus of two years, it's back, but this year it's smaller, shorter (just 8 days) and concentrated in Georgetown (Georgetown Mall and the Sandlot, adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel), and there's much less fanfare. And nothing was sent to the Listserv about it. I have to admit, I didn't even know it was going on until I started to look up events to post for this week's "Get Out!" column. My bad! Even though I've missed the bulk of it, at least I have a chance to spread the word about the last three days.

So what can you see on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday? Fifty-six more performances, that's what! Here's the schedule (in .PDF format), listing everything in the Festival since it opened on July 14. Scroll to the last page to see the many productions that still have tickets available. Go to: https://capitalfringe.org/events/? Tickets are just $15 a show!

Don't want to spend any money? There are two free events Saturday, July 23rd. First, at 3 pm there's a Community Open Mic event, followed by Fringe Free Music by Underdog the DJ at 5 PM. Here's the write-up from the Fringe....and it's not too late for you to sign up to perform. Show up at Sandlot in person between 2:30 - 2:55 and you're on!

Sat July 23

Community Open Mic

Sign up at Sandlot in-person 2:30pm – 2:55pm

Community Open Mic will start promptly at 3pm and run up until 5pm. Any talent you wish to perform or express is welcome! Onsite we will provide a guitar hook-up, two mics, can cord to play back-up track you provide. A prize of $50 and a gift bag with Georgetown Business discounts will be given to the individual or group who gets the loudest claps and yells from the audience. ANY TALENT!!! Join in to express yourself and feel good.

FRINGE FREE MUSIC :: Underdog the dj

5pm to close

Underdog the dj, graphic design teacher in District of Columbia Public Schools, and community member DJ Underdog is an artist, educator, and sound and visual artist. Born in Panama, Underdog moved to DC at age seven with his mother and has since then his roots and their roots have spread not just all over the District but . . .the globe.

Underdog the dj has shared the stage with artists like Femi Kuti, Bad Brains, Sango, Zap Mama, Common, Black Coffee, Kelela, A Tribe Called Red, Questlove, and Thundercat; activated countless engagements, including Future R & Bass with Soulection. You can also hear him through Blackstar Radio on WPFW. Join in to feel the beats in your body on the final Saturday.   

Hoping some brave (and talented) Cleveland Parkers sign up for the Community Open Mic to represent and do us proud!

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The "Get Out!" event of the week is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Thursdays.