da blogs da thang

… as the Rogue kicked off it’s 8th year. Before I go any further let me first state that my postings on things Rogue this year will not include reviews of shows. Simply because I don’t feel it is my place to do… being still associated with the festival even though I am not involved… and haven’t been for a while.

I will however give you a glimpse of the events… perhaps even with pictures. I will also reflect/comment on the state of things as I witness them. Sort of a commentary on the festival itself.

More to come…

Tonight the eighth Rogue Performance Festival begins with a Kick-Off RogueHop/Party. If you live in and around da Big NO you really should turn up (click the link for details) and check out the previews and rub shoulders/meet this year’s slew of artists and performers. It’s always a good time… plus the beer is chewy yummy at Full Circle.

Because of the “Mum duties” that need to be performed my presence at the fest will be a little more sparse than in previous years. Still, I’m looking forward to catching as many shows as I can… especially the new and original stuff. Just the way I roll.

On that note, I will say I wish local theatre companies (or college students) were being more adventurous in that arena. There are local folk in other disciplines who are trying something different (and collaborations at that)… why not in theatre? (Hello, playwriting programs in the colleges… as an example.) Afterall, the Rogue is the supreme annual opportunity to try out the bold and new. Nothing wrong with the tried and true (already published works… which I have no doubt they will do a fine job with)… but there is the rest of the year to program that fare into the season.

My intent is not to slam what they are doing (or not) but to encourage the creation of local original works. I can say as a playwright that bouncing a piece up against an audience (at a Fringe Fest like the Rogue) provides invaluable insight on what works and what doesn’t and what to tweak. (It’s all about creating a better finished product, yo!)  Besides, the Rogue provides a low cost opportunity (plus a willing and more adventurous audience) to attempt something really new (psst… that’s why most of them turn up). And I will go further and say… don’t stop there – take the show to other festivals too! Perhaps next year, huh?

At least where the Mainstage or BYO venues are concerned a couple of groups of theatre type folk are actually pulling up their daring pants and not capitulating to the safe “surethingitis”… kudos to them! Let’s hope there will be more next year. So, go see their shows… and as many as you can at this year’s fest. Rogue Ready passes are only “$35 and allows you in to 5 Rogue Mainstage shows or 10 Rogue Cafe shows or a combination thereof.”

Anyway… Happy Roguing… and if you should “get your rogue on” – be safe.

… for the Rogue to begin. Rogue Maps are out… the Press has begun and there is even a place on the site to Blog the Rogue. There are even events that begin tonight and the big Kickoff is Thursday. Over the next couple of weeks from Mondays to Fridays (4-6 PM PST) you can even catch Rogue Performers on the TV machine at a local station… click HERE to get their online video streaming page. Yeah, you can even call in.

Rogue time is an exciting time in da Big NO… at least for those in da know. Yeah, it’s going into year number 8 and there are folks who live here who still have no idea it is happening or even what it is. This fact still makes me do a spit take… especially if I’m drinking coffee. In fact, just writing this made me spray.

We are talking about intelligent folk who “love the arts” too… and not those who make it part of their life mission to complain that there is “nothing to do in this town“. Ironic… considering the Rogue has garnered notice and respect on the international Fringe circuit. This is evidenced by the number and (the high) caliber of performers who are traveling from far and wide to perform here along with the adventurous locals who are attempting something new.

There are also those in the know who still steer away from the Rogue… dismissing it as “weird wacky stuff”. Granted these are the same folk who want the “pre-packaged-tried-and-true-decided-by-big-city-folk-what-is-good-for-you” type of entertainment.

Sure, a lot of the stuff at the Rogue can be a little rough around the edges. Many performances are in non-traditional spaces. But if a show connects despite these conditions it only amplifies the power of the performer and the true substance of the piece. I have news for you… some of these shows do make the jump into the mainstream. So, don’t deny yourself the opportunity of telling your big city friends, “Yeah, I remember seeing that when… “.

So, what are you saying, Lecram? Go to the Rogue. Take a chance. You may be surprised… and chances are… pleasently so. You can start by planning your Rogue experience at THE ROGUE SITE.