First weird Fringe thing, I've been asked to do a cameo. Well, more of an interview, I guess.
My friend Denzel Belin asked me to sit in as a guest for the final performance of Minnesota Tonight at this year's Fringe on Sunday, August 11th at 1pm - so that's how I'll be starting my last day of Fringing this year. (Normally I figure out my first day of Fringing and don't start scheduling the end until sometime in the middle of the festival, but we're switching things up this year.)
Minnesota Tonight, for Fringe purposes, is being titled as a countdown "5 Episodes of Minnesota Tonight; 4 Minnesota Fring3, it’s Minnesota 2Night’s 1st Time at Minnesota Fringe." So you'll find it at the front of the show listings because it's got a number at the front of the title.
Minnesota Tonight brings music, comedy, sketch, interviews, games and more to the table! Highlighting and celebrating Minnesota and the talent and excellence that is here, there are five unique shows to see!
Venue: Mixed Blood
Tagged For: Comedy, Improv, Audience Participation, LGBTQIA+ Content
Content Warnings: Adult Language, Crude Humor (oh good, I can swear)
In Denzel's request for me to be a guest he described the show as follows:
“I had a fantastic and successful time reviving the show on my birthday, April 1st, and I am incredibly excited to bring five unique episodes to the Fringe Festival. I would describe Minnesota Tonight as a late night style show that brings stand up, sketch comedy, interviews, music and more to audiences all under the umbrella of highlighting and celebrating Minnesota and the people and things it has to offer…
In the style of a late night show, I will be doing interviews with special guests. Because this will be a part of the Fringe Festival, I will be curating my interview slot as “Fringe Favorites”. This is where you come in. I would love to interview you during this slot. There will be no “gotcha” questions and there will be a chance to promote your own projects or projects you are passionate about. During the interview, our comedy friends from SmartMouth Comedy may chime in or I may ask them hypothetical questions based on the interview. These are to add joy and fun for the interview overall and in no shape or form geared to attack the guest… It would be roughly a 10 minute segment.”
Since my goddaughter Ursula’s 15th birthday was also April 1st, I missed out on seeing Denzel’s relaunch of Minnesota Tonight. I was out in Montana visiting her and the family instead. This seems like a handy way to catch up on what I missed.
And I’m going to try and see it opening day of the Fringe at 10pm as well (when it’s actually Minnesota Tonight and not Minnesota This Afternoon, when I’ll be guesting on it :) just so I have a better idea of the format and what I’m getting myself into. SmartMouth Comedy also has a show of their own in the Fringe: In Our Sketch Era - in case I want to do some additional homework (still figuring out the schedule, as I always am this time of year).
So, that’ll be a different way to kick off my last day of Fringing for the season. Come see me then, or just see Minnesota Tonight anytime during the festival that fits your schedule. Denzel always puts on a good show.
Here's some handy links to this year's Top 10 list and Top 11-20 list, also a full list of all returning favorites to this year's Fringe, plus a link to all the 2024 Minnesota Fringe Festival coverage.
While I have your attention, please VOTE :)
Minnesota is currently in the early voting period
for our Congressional and local primaries (I had the U.S. Senate,
Congress, and the Minneapolis school board on my ballot) - final day to
vote in the primary is Tuesday, August 13th, but you don't have to wait
until Fringe is over, go vote right now :)
Early voting for the Presidential Election itself in Minnesota starts on Friday, September 20th.
We're lucky to have a lot of time to get our voices heard, so cast your
vote, and then make sure everyone you know and love is registered and
gets to the polls to vote. Election Day, your final date to vote, is Tuesday, November 5th.
As a queer playwright and theater maker, I want a government that's compassionate and competent enough to keep us all safe and healthy, keep theaters open and running, and personally, I'd just like to be legal myself and keep the weirdos out of government and out of my personal business (and the things I post on this blog, for instance). We all have our reasons, so let's make sure we get the leaders we need and deserve, and get our friends, family and co-workers to raise their voices, too.
Find where to vote and what's on your ballot (with links to candidate websites) and other resources at the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.
For other resources on how to register, volunteer or donate, locally or nationally, check out Vote Save America.
Vote. Raise your voice. We're not going back.
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