The Fringe began in 1947 when eight groups appeared uninvited to the newly formed Edinburgh International Festival and performed “on the fringe” of the main festival—in church basements, storefronts, streets and alleys. While the main festival still exists, The Edinburgh Fringe is now the largest performing arts festival in the world: more than 500 companies from around the globe give thousands of performances during the 5 weeks of that festival. Fringe Festivals have been established throughout the world to provide an opportunity for artists to showcase their works and performances in a setting unconstrained by censorship, judgment, or the status quo. Fringe Festivals provide platforms for artists of all origins and disciplines to collaborate and share their art with each other and with the local community. https://sdfringe.org/