Category: General

By Alexa Haferkorn

On Sunday, October 13th, Marquette Fringe accepted their award for Marquette’s 2024 Arts Organization of the Year at the 27th Annual Art Awards hosted by the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center (MACC). According to the MACC, the Arts Organization award is presented to “a nonprofit, club, guild, or other group that has been instrumental in growing and supporting arts and culture in Marquette.” Past recipients of the award include the DeVos Art Gallery, Revolve Creative Conference, Marquette City Band, and Fresh Coast Film Festival.

The awards ceremony was held at Ore Dock Brewing Co., and eight of Marquette Fringe’s board members and founders attended to accept the award. Madeline Arquette, a member of the Marquette Arts community and long-time supporter of Marquette Fringe, presented the award. In his acceptance speech, President Michael Bradford recounted the early days of Marquette Fringe and expressed thanks to the many community members that have helped Marquette Fringe flourish into the vibrant and inclusive organization it is today.

This award acceptance came just one week after the 4th Fall Phantasm, an event that started as a fundraiser, and has quickly become a performing arts festival with live music, dance, interactive art, and more. This event is hosted annually in early October at Lakenenland Sculpture Park in Harvey, MI. This year’s Fall Phantasm had the theme “A Journey Through the Underworld”, and invited attendees to explore six interactive “Gateways” throughout the park that represented the different journeys that all people take through life, love, and renewal. The festival culminated in live theatrical performance that featured several dance groups and performers from the Marquette community, and a late-night Drag Show presented by Superior Expressions.

Marquette Fringe would like to thank the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center and the Marquette Community for the honor of this award. There are countless other volunteers, artists, performers, and donors to thank for contributing to this organization’s growth. As the Fringe looks ahead to plans for 2025, our hearts are full with the love and support our community has shown us.

By Shannon Whitehouse

Step inside the magical world of Fall Phantasm, and you might find yourself drawn to the grounding presence of Victoria Bullock. A spirit communicator with over a decade of experience, This year, Victoria is honored to be a part of the exclusive VIP and Performers Club, working behind the scenes to support the event’s energy—but her gifts will shine for those lucky VIP members who get to experience them.

Victoria’s path to embracing her psychic and mediumship abilities was not straightforward. As a child, she could communicate with unseen energies but didn’t fully embrace this gift until later in life. For years, she prioritized logical, linear thinking to fit into societal expectations, casting aside what she now sees as a superpower. We are all capable of communicating with spirits and the unseen realm, and she encourages others not to dismiss these messages but to embrace them wholeheartedly. 

Victoria has been a vendor at the Fall Phantasm for the past two years – offering spiritual communication backed by tarot readings to attendees. Sometimes communicating for multiple attendees at once, which left her and those she read for with unforgettable experiences. In her sessions, Victoria doesn’t predict the future but instead tunes into the energies that surround her clients, often bringing forth messages from those who have passed or tapping into unseen realms that may influence their current lives. Her mediumship, supported by tarot and oracle readings, has provided powerful experiences, including moments where her insights have come to fruition long after the initial reading.

Grateful to be part of the Fringe community, Victoria continues to share her gifts to help others, spreading her message: “The world is an Oracle. We are always being worked with, we are never alone, and we are Loved”.

Check out the VIP section of our Fall Phantasm 2024 web page, or click the button below to purchase now!

by Tony Martin-Boyle

You know them and love them from their fiery debut “Rites of the Sovereign Flame” for the Fall Phantasm: Festival of Myth & Fire, or their LED adaptation for the Myth of Lost Fire at Revolve CC. Today we spotlight the already shining flame of the Lucid Fyrë Bellators

The Lucid Fyrë Bellators were founded in 2023 by a group of fire artists that had been performing independently in the Marquette area for over a decade. Quickly becoming a space that inspired and welcomed newcomers to the art form, the Bellators continue to host a weekly open spin night that allows folks to engage with flow arts and try spinning fire for the first time. We’re so excited as they enter their second year as a group and bring more stunning performances to the area!

See the Lucid Fyrë Bellators this October 5th at Fall Phantasm: Journey Through the Underworld.

by Shannon Whitehouse

Did you catch the stunning winged horse and rider at the 2023 Fall Phantasm? If not, don’t worry—Riley, the horse, and his rider, Meghan Namaste, are returning in 2024 as performers and sponsors! Meghan, who owns Namaste Barefoot Trimming in the Upper Peninsula, offers barefoot trimming, composite shoeing, and a place to help horses where conventional farriery can sometimes fall through the cracks.

As her business grows, Meghan is passionate about giving back, and sponsoring the Fall Phantasm allows her to support the arts and the Fringe community, which has provided her inspiration. “It’s such a beautiful thing when individuality and being “different” is not only accepted but celebrated… in that environment, there is such an opportunity for growth.” She encourages everyone to attend with an open mind and curiosity, ready to embrace the unique experience. You will also see Meghan light the stage later in the evening as a new member of the Lucid Fyre Bellators.

by Tony Martin-Boyle

Marquette Fringe is committed to providing transformative art experiences that are accessible to all of our community. Every year, we work hard to bring you events that are free and open to the public. This is our mission and the font from which we draw our magicks. Yet it takes much treasure: many talents, many gifts, and much coin to complete these rituals to offer you, Dear Public. This is why we’ve created new offerings to both enhance the experience of the Fall Phantasm and to keep the magic flowing for years to come!

For those who seek a more festival experience, we offer limited camping passes for tents, cars, and RVs! Immerse yourself deeper into the world of Phantasm by camping in the beautiful woods surrounding Lakenenland Sculpture Park. Passes include on-site parking and a designated spot within our camping area. Campers may set up anytime after 12pm on Saturday, October 5th, and must leave by 2pm on Sunday. This liminal, rustic campground is pack-in, pack-out. Help us steward this precious land by cleaning up before you go and leave no trace.

In addition to the camping experience, we invite you to attend the exquisite side of the Fall Phantasm as part of our VIP experience. Be up close to the action when the Veil is lifted. VIPs have access to an exclusive covered area with comfy seating, snacks and refreshments arranged by Golden Hour Soirees; as well as front-row seats for a 90-minute performance at 7:30pm. Not only will VIP ticket-holders have access to an exclusive side stage area, luxury accommodations, and immersive actor experiences, but VIP Passes also include on-site parking and discounted camping!

VIP tickets start at $75, with discounted rates available for additional party members:

• 1 person: $75
• 2 people: $120 (60 ea)
• 3 people: $150 (50 ea)
• 4 people: $180 (45 ea)

VIP discounted camping rates (and regular rates):

• 1. Remote Vehicle/RV Campsite @ $20 (regular price: $45)
• 2. Remote Tent Campsite @ $15 (regular price: $35)
• 3. Additional Onsite vehicle parking pass $10/vehicle (regular price: $20)

VIP tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-fall-phantasm-journey-through-the-underworld-tickets-934475791247

Camping passes are also available through our Eventbrite page:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camping-passes-fall-phantasm-journey-through-the-underworld-tickets-934553313117

More information can be found on the 2024 Fall Phantasm page of our website: https://marquettefringe.org/fall-phantasm-2024/

Marquette Fringe is a non-profit organization. All sales go to paying our amazing crew/performers and making an even better Phantasm next year!

May the stars align and guide you on your journey, as we all wander together, far north of ordinary.

Join Marquette Fringe at Ore Dock Brewing Co.’s annual Festival of the Angry Bear as we lead our fellow creatures of the Northwoods in a march with Who Dat Brass to welcome springtime to Marquette, Michigan.

Each year in April as the frozen grounds of Lake Superior’s shore attempts its thaw, Festival of the Angry Bear comes out of hibernation and takes over Spring Street in downtown Marquette. Modeled after some of the great beer festivals of Europe, the festival is a showcase of barrel-aged beer, live music, and delicious food. Attendance is free, and fun is guaranteed.