The festival, now in its 15th year, aims to replicate the vibrant atmosphere of Montreal, the world’s self-proclaimed circus capital. Performances include Quebec-based Flip Fabrique, Chicago’s Aloft, and a variety of physical theater acts ranging from trapeze rigs and Chinese pole displays to contortion archery. Local organizations such as Roc City Circus and the Rochester Juggling Club round out the lineup, offering a multidisciplinary experience that emphasizes public accessibility and street-level spectacle.
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Rochester Turns Into 'Mini-Montreal' for 15th Annual Fringe Festival
Downtown Rochester transforms into an open-air circus hub this weekend as the 15th annual ESL Rochester Fringe Festival debuts "Circus in the City." Running September 18 and 19, the free event brings eight contemporary circus troupes to Parcel 5 and Gibbs Street for a showcase of high-stakes acrobatics.
Erica Fee, CEO and producer of the non-profit festival, highlighted that the scale of this production relies on support from Empire State Development and the I LOVE NY tourism initiative. Beyond the circus programming, the broader 12-day festival features 297 productions across 45 venues, cementing its status as the largest performing arts event in New York State. By removing barriers to entry through free outdoor programming, organizers intend to drive economic activity for local businesses, including downtown restaurants and retail spaces, while continuing the tradition of multidisciplinary arts that has defined the festival since 2012.
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