Lagos Fringe is invested to be at the forefront of the creative economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. We want to continue to engage in the process of building an economy where the people rely on their creative ideas and how to make money out of it. Research and data are technical, just as performance and design are free-flowing
The festival’s core objective is to repurpose spaces for the development of artistic expressions, aligning with Nigeria’s ambition to lead the creative economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, stated Kenneth Uphopho, director of the 6-year-old festival
THE 6th edition of LAGOS FRINGE, the annual theatrical and artistic extravaganza, ends today on a high note.
It has been five days of fun, learning, and networking at the various sites of the festival, and today’s wrap sessions promise so much more.
Spotlight of the day is an ‘Entrepreneur Masterclass’ on the topic, A Filmmaker as a Producer, that will feature two facilitators: Brenda Fashugba, head of Arts, British Council Nigeria, and Olasunkanmi Adebayo, producer-director & content developer. Holding at 4 pm in the museum hall of Freedom Park, Lagos Island, which is the festival’s main venue, the masterclass will be hosted by Rhoda Inaju, actor, radio host, MC, and Voice-Over artist.
Thereafter, will be the theatre showcases featuring about 10 presentations, including the crowd-pullers: Alaga, Tiraka, Japa, Dirty Little Secrets, and others.
Meanwhile, the exhibition Crows Come at Dawn, which drew a huge audience and sold out at opening on Saturday, November 25, continues in Kongi’s Harvest Gallery of the Freedom Park. there is also a film screening at 1 pm in the museum building of the park.
Courtesy PAWSTUDIOS, Lagos Fringe 2023 is exploring the theme “What Future For Creatives? The African Experience,’ had various sites for its presentations, including Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Goethe-Institut, VI, Alliance Francaise, Ikoyi, and the British Council, Ikoyi.
A pre-festival statement from the programme unit of the Fringe states: “The chosen theme reflects a conscious effort to support creatives in Nigeria and across the continent. Organizers emphasize their commitment to being at the forefront of the creative economy, fostering an environment where people can rely on their creative ideas for economic sustenance.”
“The festival’s target audience is broad, encompassing high-net-worth individuals, young urban professionals, artists, corporate bodies, art institutions, art lovers, enthusiasts, students, and children,” added the statement.
Uphopho
The festival’s core objective is to repurpose spaces for the development of artistic expressions, aligning with Nigeria’s ambition to lead the creative economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, stated Kenneth Uphopho, director of the 6-year-old festival.
Uphopho, an astute theatre practitioner and festival director, said further, “The festival’s diverse lineup spans literary extravaganzas, arts and crafts workshops, empowering women in creativity, harmony in music, cinematic exploration, and a Fringe City Extravaganza. Each day is carefully curated to touch on various aspects of artistic expression, offering something for everyone.
“Lagos Fringe Festival aspires to bridge the technical and free-flowing aspects of creativity, fostering co-creations and partnerships for a sustainable future in Nigeria’s rapidly growing creative economy.”
“One notable initiative is the Lagos Fringe Young Critics and Reviewers Programme, designed to encourage budding critics and reviewers. The event will showcase over 20 live theatre, dance, and spoken word performances, along with 40 film screenings and the Lagos Fringe variety weekend. networking sessions like the ‘Women in the Arts Lunch,’ masterclasses, and workshops contribute to the holistic experience.
“Lagos Fringe is invested to be at the forefront of the creative economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. We want to continue to engage in the process of building an economy where the people rely on their creative ideas and how to make money out of it. Research and data are technical, just as performance and design are free-flowing.
“At the Lagos Fringe, we want to bridge these worlds to encourage creatives on co-creation and partnerships for a more sustainable future, particularly with the emergence of the creative industries, which is now shaping up to be a lucrative venture – both for the creatives and for their craft.”
The festival is collaborating with esteemed organisations, including Dance Guild of Nigeria, NANTAP, Guild of Theatre Directors, World Fringe Network, Brighton Fringe UK, The Kreative Lab, Freedom Park, Pawstudios Africa, and the Pan African Creative Exchange (PACE) of South Africa, among others.
