Pick of the Fringe Winner 2023

Congratulations to Oh Mother by Andrea Superstein for winning Pick of the Fringe!

Fringe Tickets

ALL PATRONS ARE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE A ONE-TIME $5.00 FRINGE FESTIVAL BUTTON TO SEE ANY SHOWS (available at the Fringe Hub and at the door). Proceeds support the operating costs of the festival.

In-person shows: $12.50 plus applicable fees

Double the Applause: $25 - Artists retain 100% of box office revenues

Festival Pass: $60 - See 5 shows for $60!

Artists receive 100% of their box office revenues; to protect artist income, all ticket sales are final.

Shows at the Port Theatre (125 Front Street, Nanaimo)

2023 Nanaimo Fringe Festival Preview Night - Hosted by Peter Hudson | 90 mins | FREE EVENT

Let us kick off the festivities with this FREE event, compiling 5 minute teasers from each Festival show!

Times: Thursday, August 10th 7:00pm

String of Pearls - Lucky Fish Productions, Nanaimo | 65 mins | 14+ (strong language & adult situations)

This poignant, funny Golden Age-style musical tells a universal story of the complicated relationships between aging mothers and daughters.

Times: Fri Aug 11 3:45pm, Sat Aug 12 8:30pm (ASL), Tue Aug 15 5:45pm, Wed Aug 16 8:30pm, Fri Aug 18 5:45pm, Sun Aug 20 3pm

Reminders of ReconciliACTION - Tricoz Productions, Ladysmith | 57 mins | 12+

Miyotota kewin mikiwam neetsan (Welcome home my family good to see you). In this storytelling production you will scent ancient smells, hear the oldest of instruments.

Times: Fri Aug 11 5:45pm (ASL), Sun Aug 13 3pm, Tue Aug 15 8:30pm, Thu Aug 17 3:45pm, Fri Aug 18 8:30pm, Sat Aug 19 5:45pm

Oh Mother - Andrea Superstein, Vancouver | 50 mins | All welcome - PICK OF THE FRINGE

Momming (verb). A hilarious and heartfelt multimedia journey through the undertold and true stories of parenthood.

Times: Sat Aug 12 3:45pm (ASL), Sun Aug 13 5:45pm, Wed Aug 16 5:45pm, Thu Aug 17 8:30pm, Sat Aug 19 3pm, Sun Aug 20 5:45pm

Moby Dick - Roderick Glanville, Victoria | 60 mins | 12+

Roderick Glanvilles one-hour version of this Nantucket sleighride cracks along with all the excitement and fury youd expect.

Times: Fri Aug 11 8:30pm (ASL), Sat Aug 12 5:45pm, Wed Aug 16 3:45pm, Thu Aug 17 5:45pm, Fri Aug 18 3:45pm, Sat Aug 19 8:30pm

Orange You Glad to be in Miami? - Bennet Caffee, San Francisco | 70 mins | 14+ (mild profanity)

When Bennet is checked into the psych ward they get his name wrong and he is sure it is a sign.

Times: Fri Aug 11 7pm, Sun Aug 13 7pm, Wed Aug 16 7pm, Thu Aug 17 7pm, Sat Aug 19 7pm, Sun Aug 20 4:15pm

Lucky Casanova - Ali Gaul, Victoria | 55 mins | 12+ (alcoholism & mental health)

The story of John Gaul: a songwriter, a genius, an artist, a conspiracy theorist and a philosopher.

Times: Sat Aug 12 7pm (ASL), Sun Aug 13 4:15pm, Tue Aug 15 7pm, Fri Aug 18 7pm, Sat Aug 19 4:15pm, Sun Aug 20 7pm

Shows at the OV Arts Centre (25 Victoria Road, Nanaimo)

Spiritularious - Amit Solanki, Nanaimo | 55 mins | 18+

A show about self journey through life and exploring the funny side of the spiritual process.

Times: Fri Aug 11 5pm, Sun Aug 13 5pm, Thu Aug 17 7pm, Sat Aug 19 5pm, Sun Aug 20 7pm

Snoezelen Sessions - AIM, presented by PCSC, Nanaimo | 75 mins | 12+

A variety of shows written and performed by neurodivergent artists that bring you an immersive experience of inclusive and accessible theatre.

Times: Fri Aug 11 7pm, Sun Aug 13 7pm (ASL)

Gael - LampMoth Productions, Nanaimo | 40 mins | 16+

Within this psychological horror Gael finds himself what may very well be between life and death.

Times: Sat Aug 12 5pm, Tue Aug 15 7pm, Wed Aug 16 5pm, Sat Aug 18 5pm, Sat Aug 19 7pm, Sun Aug 20 3pm

Sadec 1965: A Love Story - Flora Le, Washington DC, USA | 65 mins | 16+

After finding out that her estranged father has cancer, Flora goes on a 6-week solo motorcycle trip through Vietnam.

Times: Tue Aug 15 5pm, Wed Aug 16 7pm, Thu Aug 17 5pm, Fri Aug 18 7pm, Sat Aug 19 3pm, Sun Aug 20 5pm

Outdoor Shows @ Black Rabbit Kitchen

Ducks - David Ellis Heyman, Victoria | 45 mins | 16+ (swearing)

A hot-shot communications wizard at the height of his success must retrieve every copy of an embarrassing party invitation.

Times: Fri Aug 11 4:30pm (ASL), Sat Aug 12 6:30pm, Sun Aug 13 4:30pm, Fri Aug 18 6:30pm, Sat Aug 19 4:30pm, Sun Aug 20 6:30pm

Nanaimos Got Talent - A Penny A Sketch, Nanaimo | 45 mins | All ages welcome

Come into dreamland with our beloved and innocent character Andy as he enters the TV show called Nanaimos Got Talent.

Times: Fri Aug 11 6:30pm, Sat Aug 12 4:30pm, Sun Aug 13 6:30pm, Fri Aug 18 4:30pm, Sat Aug 19 6:30pm, Sun Aug 20 4:30pm

Live Music at Black Rabbit Kitchen

New for 2023, Nanaimo Fringe welcomes Live Musicians as a regular feature of our Outdoor Stage programming at Black Rabbit Kitchen.

Sally and the Side Pieces: Nanaimo Clippers very own national anthem singer, Sarah Tomei, has reunited with highschool friends Gordon Sanrud and Jesse DeWispelaere.

James Vickers: Born and raised in Nanaimo, James heritage is Tsimshian, Heiltsuk, Haida, as well as the UK. This thirteen year young, rising star opened for Crystal Shawanda and the legendary Jim Byrnes.

Shel: A new-age folk singer-songwriter from Red Deer, Alberta who plays originals and re-creates classics on her ukulele.

Tami Nutting: Entertaining audiences for over 40 years with an enchanting set of original songs and stories.

Reserving Tables: We are pleased to offer dinner reservations for all performances happening at Black Rabbit. Call the restaurant directly at 250-591-5447 to reserve.

Stand Up Comedy

The Queens - Friday, August 11th | 8:30pm-late. Headliner: Elyott Ryan. Openers: Jon Gagnon, Robert Peng, Mary Wisforden, Brett McCrindle & Jesse Dewhispelaere.

The Globe - Saturday, August 12th | 8:30pm-late. Headliner: Cassidy Anhorn. Openers: Bobbie Garnons-Williams, Colton Turcotte, Chris Basso, Amit Solanki, Jayden Worth.

The Terminal - Friday, August 18th | 8:30pm-late. Headliner: Syd Bosel. Openers: Randii Andii, Nancy Ho, Tamara Paulin & Boston Hardy.

The Nanaimo Bar - Saturday, August 19th | 8:30pm-late. Headliner: Nick Peron. Openers: Patti Savard, Cory Rasmussen, Keith Nahanee, John Tait, Andrew Andy Pellatt.

Festival Wrap Karaoke Night - FREE EVENT

Vote for your favourite 2023 Fringe show and celebrate alongside the Pick of the Fringe winner at our Festival Wrap Karaoke event.

To RSVP for this event, please email Festival Producer, Julia, at festival@pacificcoaststage.org with subject line: KARAOKE NIGHT RESERVATIONS. Please include your first and last name and how many people we can expect in your party.

WEAR YOUR FRINGE BUTTON!