Every year, for 11 fun-filled days, Mass Ave in Indy grows a bit more vibrant, makes a lot more noise, and puts on more shows than you ever thought possible for a small city. That’s right, it’s IndyFringe time again and whether you’re a seasoned veteran or newcomer, we’ve got the details on what to expect at this year’s festival and some tips on how to navigate around.
What is IndyFringe?
IndyFringe is an 11-day celebration of theatre and performing like you’ve never seen it before. Every August, the Mass Ave district packs a plethora of unique and varied performances into a few different venues located downtown. You might not be a huge theatre buff, but trust us, IndyFringe has a show for every taste.
Which Shows Should I See?
The correct answer is as many as possible, but there are a few shows gaining some buzz already. Here’s a quick look at three of the main acts this year:
God Bless You Dr Kevorkian
- Based off of the Vonnegut collection of interviews, this play promises an entertaining and provocative experience.
Act a Foo’ Improv Show
- Who doesn’t love improv? Prepare for some awesome unscripted fun from this dynamic group.
Drankspeare
- Did you struggle with Shakespeare in school? No worries, this group will perform the classic “Romeo and Juliet” in under one hour, while drinking. What could go wrong?
Of course, these are just a few examples out of the nearly 400 amazing shows, so be sure to check out the full schedule for details.
How Much Does IndyFringe Cost?
For adults, tickets cost $15, but seniors and students get a discount and pay $12. Tickets for kids under 12 years of age only cost $8. You need a new ticket for every show, so if you plan on attending a few, there are bulk ticket options, as well. The Fiver Pass costs $50 and gives you admission to 5 shows. In addition, Opening Night (August 18th) has a Two-for-One special perfect for a date night.
To buy tickets online, click here. You can also order by phone (317-445-1458) or visit their box offices at the IndyFringe Basile Theatre (719 E St Clair Street) or the IndyFringe Beer Tent (748 Mass Ave).
Where Should I Park?
Mass Ave is bound to be packed with cars and activity, so try avoiding the main street. If you don’t want to search for cheap parking, the Murat generally has event parking you can pay for. If you don’t mind a short walk, New Jersey is often an overlooked street to park on (bonus, the closer to Washington Street you park, the earlier the free parking kicks in!).
For Fringe specific parking, there are free spots along North Davidson Street, as well as by the Trailside Apartments (full details here).
Of course, you can save money by biking (park along Mass Ave or at the Beer Tent). You can also rent from the Pacer’s Bikeshare.
If you live in Fountain Square neighboring areas, but aren’t close enough to walk and don’t want to bike, you can easily rent a Blue Indy electric car and park it right in one of the Blue Indy spots on Mass Ave. Check out Blue Indy for more info.
Additional Info
In addition to over 380 amazing IndyFringe shows, you can expect street performances and even a mini-parade that you won’t want to miss on August 27th.
There’s so much packed into these 11 days of fun and art that you’ll need to browse their entire brochure for the full story. In this brochure you’ll also find a map and a ton of other useful information.
You don’t want to miss this year’s IndyFringe celebration. Come out and support local and national artists during this week and a half long festival of humor, absurdity, and story-telling.