It’s been so long since we’ve shared anything on the blog, we figured we better make a big splash when finally breaking our silence. At last, we found something big enough to make that splash. Later this month we’re participating in the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival on a huge scale. We are doing an installation. But we’re not JUST doing an installation. MADE ON STATE, the home of our studio, is a Fringe venue this year. Between our shows and the ones we’re hosting from outside, we have 46 events happening in our space. There are opportunities to build a balloon installation with us, hear children’s stories, listen to stories for mature audiences, watch improv theater, enjoy some amazing musicians, and even a unique dinner opportunity. We’re going to be busy making up for all those months that we weren’t able to see anyone. We’ll get back to all this in detail down below. First, here’s some of what we’ve been doing since we last wrote. (We have to build suspense before we reveal the Fringe line-up, but if you really want, you can skip ahead.)

Team building

As workgroups, sports teams, school faculty, and other groups are getting back together after working remotely for more than a year, our team building activities have seen a resurgence. Our Bubble Mural™-based activities in particular have fit into a variety of fun, back-to-work/school situations. These activities are easy for almost anyone to participate. It’s not about individual physical skills, but about the power of a large group to get something done together that can be displayed for others to enjoy.

Not all of our team building activities revolve around Bubble Murals. We’re happy to design something specific to your team.

The return of party decor

Parties are starting to come back and calls have been coming in for us to create some phenomenal party decor. Baby showers, especially, have been coming up a lot lately. Please give us as much time and flexibility as you can when you call us for your party. The supply chain has been, to say the least, problematic. We are not able to respond quickly these days as we search for materials we need to make your party a success. In many cases, we simply don’t know far in advance what balloons will be available to us when it’s time for your event. Please trust us with your budget and theme, and we’ll make you something incredible.

Virtual talks, shows, classes, and quizzes

This is the year that everyone has learned to do things online via Zoom and other meeting software. Things haven’t been any different at Airigami. We’ve been doing online classes in balloon art as well as live streaming classes and shows with Teaching Artists ROC and Writers & Books. Some of our in-house productions have included live quiz shows, STEM programming, and an early literacy project with Teaching Artists ROC and Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County.

Fringe details

The KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival runs Sep 14-25, 2021. Following are the shows that we’re putting on and hosting at MADE ON STATE, located at 510 State St, Rochester, 14608, just a few blocks from High Falls.

More details, show times, parking info, links to purchase tickets, links to performers in these shows, and any changes that come up between now and showtime can be found here.

Airigami Experience: Build with balloons

Are you a crafty person who enjoys HANDS ON building? Don’t miss the opportunity to work side by side (6’ apart) with Rochester’s own world-renowned Airigami to create a one-of-a-kind immersive balloon installation. You’ll literally set the stage for live performances by constructing set pieces and other decorative elements to transform areas at MADE ON STATE into an inflated wonderland.

Airigami viewing and photo op

Fringe is all about fun flair, and so is Airigami! Check out the unique balloon display created for the Airigami stage. Sure to provide for selfie-friendly and fantastically fringy photos!  

Stories for Little Ones

Sit for a spell and we’ll tell you a tale, perhaps about piggies- or maybe a whale? Could be you’ll hear of a far-away place, or a dashing inventor traveling through space. Stories will take you from here off to where. They’ll make you feel silly, or stand up your hair! Our “Stories for Little Ones” will truly engage. Come see the whole series on the Airigami Stage.

Every performance will be different. Performers appearing in some shows include John Barthelmes, Larry Moss, and Derek Poole.

Bedtime Stories

When’s the last time someone tucked you in and read you a story? Join us for an evening of stories your mother never would have read (at least not read to you, what she does on her own time is none of your business thank you very much.) Some spooky, some steamy, all performed with voices that are dreamy.

Every performance will be different. Performers appearing in some shows include Almeta Whitis and Kelly Cheatle.

Experiential Seated Dinners

Fuse and Anchor and Erin McDonald Co present an interactive, styled tasting dinner for two nights during the Fringe Festival. The first evening will be September 21st with Mortalis Brewery and Julia K Caters. The second evening will be September 23rd with Embark Cidery and Julia K Caters. Each evening will feature a delicious menu paired beautifully with each brewery's tasty compositions. The evening will feature an immersive design from internationally recognized Airigami and Erin McDonald.

The World of Teaching Artists ROC

Join us for a variety show featuring sample performances and workshops from teaching artists that make up the collaborative known as Teaching Artists ROC. With your ticket, show up for any of the scheduled time slots and stay for as long as you like to see a variety of teaching artists doing everything from stage shows to small workshop presentations that are suitable for schools, etc.

Not the Queen You Know

Take an intimate journey into the hidden gems of legendary rock band, Queen. Classically trained singer (and accomplished kazoo player!) Maya Ben-Meir, together with pianist Dan Pardo, interprets some of the group’s lesser-known works, which parallel Maya’s own struggle to recognize her power. Through her unique and beautiful renditions of Queen’s deep cuts, Maya connects to Freddie Mercury’s vulnerability, passion, and courage in order to face her fears, trust in her strength, and take center stage.

Andrew Flory Classical Guitar

Andrew Flory is a classical guitarist currently working on his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music, where he studies with Nicholas Goluses. Andrew received his Master’s degree in 2020 from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and, while living abroad, had the opportunity to perform in Scotland, Spain, and Ireland.

Fringin’ & Flagons

Adventure and comedy await as table-top role playing and collaborative improvisational storytelling meet in a Fringe show like none before! Enter the world of the Unbroken Veil, where the creatures and magic of the Dungeons & Dragons universe exist in the shadows of our present-day Earth. Assemble your party, grab your dice, and roll initiative as you become the hands of fate that can aid or doom our adventurers in this fast-paced, comedic quest that changes every night!