A Fringe By Any Other Name

Some of Long Island's top talent convenes on the C.W. Post Campus’ stage – and throughout the grounds – as Tilles Center opens its 2009-10 season with Experience Long Island 2009 this weekend.

The Artists Group, a Hicksville-based arts organization, has assembled a varied collection of performers, and in the grand tradition of The Edinburgh International Fringe Festival, presents three days of “an unbridled confluence of imagination” at the arts festival, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 25-27. A true feast for the senses, every creative discipline is presented around the fringe and on the main stage, Tilles Center. This is an opportunity to taste dance, music, poetry, and song, to drink in the spirit of form and space during a weekend devoted to art on the edge.

To ignite the festival on Friday, walk through the Outer Ring Exhibit of 2D and 3D visual art in collaboration with Hillwood Art Museum. It features sculpture on the grounds, art in the hallways and a meet and greet with 20 of Long Island’s cutting edge visual artists. Then enjoy the culinary arts with a Food on the Fringe reception under the 2009-2010 installation of Tilles Center’s Art Under Glass series in the Atrium, followed by the opening night concert on the main stage.

Saturday and Sunday are packed with outdoor family friendly, participatory activities with Poet Laureates from Nassau and Suffolk counties, joined with future laureates on the Isle of Word. Also see live interactive glass blowing with Colby Lippman of Long Island Blows Glass, 2009 Pulse magazine’s VIP artist Andrew Leipzig taking it to the streets with what he does best in “The Artists Den,” plus street painting with public graffiti walls and professional artists capturing the Muse live and on canvas, as well as individual performances of theater, music, film, dance – and more – around C.W. Post campus.

After spending the day in this friendly creative environment, visitors can purchase an array of memorabilia from the festival performers and vote for their favorite in the Selvage Edge Store. Round out each day with a performance featuring a cross section of the assembled talent. Performers include Steve Adelson, Broken Wing, Immersion Dance Company, Circle of Dance, Jane Leslie, Kara Cornell, Bryan, Sansivero, Slash Coleman, Doublespeak, and many more.

Tickets are $40, $30 and $20; available at (516) 299-3100 or (800) 745-3000.or online at www.tillescenter.org or www.Ticketmaster.com. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, C.W. C.W. Post Campus, Rte. 25A, Brookville.