Buffalo Rising Online

Jun 6th 2007, 9:23am By Gabrielle Bouliane

It was a busy and well-attended organizer's meeting tonight at Staples' of Allentown. Fresh on the heels of an Artie Award, Lead Scheduling Dude Kurt Schneiderman Publicity Dude Ron Ehmke and Treasury Dude Scott Kurchak met with a team of approximately 20 performers and organizers, and outlined upcoming meetings, events, and positions still needing to be filled. The festival itself will be held from July 26 through August 5, 2007 at various locations throughout Allentown. Roughly 110 performances, workshops, films, and other happenings are anticipated throughout the eleven-day celebration.

Not familiar with the Infringement? Well, if you liked Artists and Models, you're bound to have a great time at the Infringement Festival – eleven times as much, right?. As briefly described by puppeteer Michelle Costa, the proper response to "What are you infringing on?" is complacency. The festival is designed to prove that art can be cheap, and take place anywhere. Originally occurring internationally in response to "Fringe" Art Festivals that had themselves become as bureaucratic as the formal art festivals they had meant to counter, the Infringement festivals are meant to stretch the definitions of art even farther – and in Buffalo have had wild success to date in their two-year run.

First up on the on the list of events in June is a volunteer-run information table at the Allen West Fest, June and 10. Volunteers are still needed for two hours shifts to discuss the festival with public and potential performers. Next is the performer's Mass Info meeting, being held on June 16 at Soundlab at 5 PM, where the general details of the shows are worked out.

Currently, the biggest needs the festival has are finding enough venues for all the various performances, and enough venue "czars" (managers) to handle them all over the full 11 days. If you know a venue that may be interested, or if you (with or without a buddy) want to work a venue, contact Kurt Schniederman.

This year's fundraiser, the Bizarre Bazaar, is shaping up to be a terrific night as well. Also being held at Soundlab this year, there will be 6 bands, live performances, short films, and an indoor garage sale and 50/50 raffle with lots of, you know, bizarre stuff.

Keep your eyes on The Infringement Websitefor more information as the month goes on. Bring the weird!