Best Bets at Rochester Fringe: Eric Rezsnyak's picks

The headliner act that made everyone go “Ooooooooo!”
at the press conference, Bandaloop will
undoubtedly be the most eye-popping experience at the
inaugural Fringe Festival. This world-renowned aerial dance troupe performs
vertical routines while suspended from climbing ropes. It has danced on the
sides of the Seattle Space Needle, New York Stock Exchange, and the fjords of
Stavanger, Norway. In Rochester it will present excerpts from “Bound(less)” on
the side of the 21-story One HSBC Plaza at 100 Chestnut Street. On Thursday
night, head down to the adjacent Manhattan Square Park with a mat or reclining
chair, and check out free family-friendly activities in the park, along with
food and drink. (A more family-friendly Bandaloop
performance will take place Saturday afternoon, without the additional
activities in the park.) (Thursday
9/20 8 p.m. and Saturday 9/22 4:30-4:50 p.m. at Manhattan Square Park. Admission is free.)

If you’ve ever seen her at a drag brunch, as part of the Big
Wigs, or acting in a local theater production, you know that Kasha Davis is a
born entertainer. She sings, she dances, she tips a
box of wine with style and pizzazz. And now Davis is back with her own
one-woman show, “There’s Always Time for a Cocktail.” Straight outta the
suburbs, Davis will beguile audiences with the story of how little Eddie Popil of Scranton, PA, grew up to become an international
celebrity housewife. Expect music, heartfelt drama, and party games. Recommended for ages 13 and up.(Thursday 9/20 10 p.m., Saturday 9/22 9 p.m., Sunday 9/23 5 p.m. at TheatreROCS at Xerox Auditorium. Tickets cost $15.)

A favorite of Fringe festivals around the world, John
Clancy’s “The Event” is one of those plays you’re not supposed to talk
about too much for fear of giving it all away. So I won’t. All I’ll say is that
it’s a very meta work that will make you
simultaneously sit back, lean forward, and think even as your head pops off. Recommended for ages 14 and up. (Wednesday 9/19 7-8 p.m., Friday 9/21 6-7 p.m. at Geva
Theatre Nextstage. Tickets cost $15.)

If you’re a fan of televised singing competitions, or just
good ol’ entertainment, turn your attention to A
Cappella Hour, featuring the University of Rochester’s all-male Yellow
Jackets ensemble and RAPA’s show choir, the Roc City Singers. Rochester will
remember that the Yellow Jackets were recently featured on Season 3 of NBC’s
“The Sing Off,” and the Roc City Singers were inspired in part by the New
Directions troupe on “Glee.” And hey, complimentary wine! (Friday 9/21 5-6 p.m. at RAPA’s East End Theatre. Tickets cost $8-$12.)

For something a little more adult, A Night of Laughs will
bring in comedic talent from New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and
Philadelphia. Among the performers are Chicago comedian/musician Matt Griffo, character comedians Joe Liss
and John Rubano (both of Second City), sketch
comedian Kirsten O’Brien and Evan Zelnick, and
others. The whole thing is hosted by NYC burlesque bombshell Kitty Cockpit, and
I heard a rumor that there will be pizza (but don’t quote me on that). Recommended for ages 17 and up.(Friday 9/21 9:30-11:30 p.m. at RAPA’s East End Theatre. Tickets cost
$12. Free workshop for ages 17+ Friday 6:15-7:15 p.m.)