FRINGE Festivals do not refuse anyone with a story to tell and a venue to host them — an ethos that has made them popular in cities around the world.

    A tradition of more than 60 years, Shenzhen will hold its own Fringe this December. Inspired by organizers of the Fringe Festival Macao, local designers Zhu Decai and Huang Liguang decided to hold the first Fringe on the mainland.

    “We met the Macao guys during the Shenzhen cultural fair this May. Several local art troupes have been to their event,” Zhu said. “After talking to them, it occurred to us ‘why not do it here in Shenzhen?’”

    Fringe Festivals are different and exciting because “artists and the city’s residents have a closer relationship.” Artists, in a more conventional context, present their work in galleries and on stage. “The public views them from a distance. They will leave after the show is over and it makes no difference in which city they perform. But in a Fringe, everyone is involved,” Zhu said.

    Between Dec. 4 and 12, the festival promises to turn a 1.5-km street in the Shenzhen Bay area into a fair of artists yet to make their name. At least 30 troupes will present more than 100 drama, music and dance performances as well as exhibitions. “We hope to give opportunities to less-recognized artists,” the organizers said.

    The festival will consist of an opening parade, performances and community events themed on environmental protection. Plazas, parks, shopping malls and cafes will become stages. In one event, the organizers will project video images of China’s best contemporary dancers onto the glass walls of the Shenzhen Poly Theater, making it look as if they were dancing on the shiny oval surface of the building.

    According to Zhu, the Fringe Shenzhen intentionally blurs the line between professionals and amateurs. Organizers of the Fringe Festival Macao will direct the opening parade, joined by students, artists and boutique shops and restaurants in the area. There will be costume and makeup designers along the route to help passers-by dress up and join in.

    Fat Bird Theater, which organizes experimental workshops and guerilla performances, has performed at two Macao Fringe Festivals. The theater’s director Wu Xi and artistic director Yang Qian, consultants for the local Fringe, will present two plays for the occasion.

    Grassroots, avant-garde, innovation and variety will be the themes of the Fringe. Organizers will set up a stage above the fountains at the outdoor plaza near the Poly theater, where citizens can watch mimes, indie movies and other interactive multimedia shows.

    Among the events, film director Zhu Wen will premiere his indie movie “Little Thing” in which Tuva musician Sainkho and Chinese Dickson Dee will perform. All the events will encourage the participation of the public.

    According to Zhu Decai, most of the artists at the Fringe are unknown by mainstream society. Take, for instance, the Hip-hop Contest started by dancers and fans seven years ago. Breakdancers from around China compete at the contest, judged by well-known dancers from around the world.

    Other events have been chosen because of the message they spread. “Friends of the Disabled,” a society that promotes awareness of the disabled, will set up barriers in public areas to demonstrate the difficulties faced by disabled people. The group will also stage a fashion show.

    Feng Yu, designer and consultant for the Fringe, said the keyword here is “festival.” “This is more about a carnival where everyone gets excited,” he said. “We have plenty of ‘high-end’ exhibitions and stage shows at elegant venues — this one brings vitality and fun to the public.”

    (Li Dan)