The rules of PLANK Club…and the buzz has started buzzing.
Vancouver: As a creation of the internet, PLANK Magazine fully embraces new technology (well, at least Shane does) but during this year’s Vancouver Fringe Festival we will be embracing an old technology: beer.
PLANK was founded as a site designed to host dialogue and debate about the performing arts. Almost from day one we have tried to figure out ways we could engage more directly with our readers, get away from our computer screens and, of course, drink more beer. PLANK Club – a sort of book club for theatre (only way cooler) – is our attempt and the St. Ambroise Fringe Bar at Agro Café is our venue.
We really have no idea what will happen at PLANK Club but we invite you to join us for a beer and snack and tell us about your Fringe experience so far. What shows have you loved? What shows have you loathed? Which one has captured your imagination? Is there a Fringe Trend this year? And if so, what is it? Is there anyone on Team PLANK you’d like snog? Punch?
So, I guess the only rule of PLANK Club is to come ready for debate. The Club will take place on the following nights and times:
Tuesday, September 15 at 7pm
Thursday, September 17 at 7pm
Saturday, September 19 at 5pm
At the Fringe Bar.
This is also a good time to remind artists and audiences about the Talk of the Fringe Award, which PLANK Magazine is sponsoring. The award recognizes the show that generates the most online and in person buzz and displays the best marketing savvy. It is part of a new series of awards started this year by the Fringe.
The buzziest Fringe show gets a $500 print credit from Industry Images and a $500 credit for video work from (the simply incredible) Michael Sider Video. This is an astonishing prize package and with so much riding on the award, it’s a little surprising that – with the notable exception of someone with the initials RM - there hasn’t been a lot of debate on PLANK yet. Everything has been a little too polite and good natured. We know you’re reading…but a lot of you aren’t writing, yet.
Is there a show out there that’s really impressed you? Or even pissed you off? Then write in and let us know. The creators could win some cool stuff (and an award with a chicken on it).
Oh, and just for the record, because we forgot to post it (blame the BC Government), we sponsored a similar award at the recently completed Victoria Fringe Festival. The winner was The Peter ‘n Chris Show, which just happens to be here in Vancouver right now!