This October, the Marquette Fringe will once again bring its flagship event, the Fall Phantasm, to Lakenenland Sculpture Park on Saturday, October 5th, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Founded just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Marquette Fringe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a platform for local artists to create and showcase original art, especially in the realm of performance. Marquette Fringe President Michael Bradford explained, "We created this organization to give our incredible arts community a new platform for original pieces, while also making it accessible for community members to see, engage with, and even try out themselves."
Now in its fourth year, Fall Phantasm has evolved into one of the Marquette Fringe's most popular events. Originally starting as a Halloween-themed fundraiser, the event has transformed into a broader celebration of art and community, with this year's theme being "Journey Through the Underworld." When asked about the inspiration for this year's theme, Bradford emphasized the event’s focus on immersion: "It's not about a dark or punishing underworld. Instead, it's a space where mystical and grounded beings come together in a communal, mysterious, and unique experience."
Bradford highlighted the experiential nature of the event, which will feature six distinct gateways scattered across Lakenenland. Each gateway offers a different theme, such as the Hall of Myths, the Alchemist Guild, and the Fire Temple, allowing attendees to participate in immersive, narrative-driven experiences. The layout of the event, with performances spread across two stages and various zones within the park, encourages exploration and interaction with both nature and art.
Fall Phantasm also boasts a diverse lineup of live performances, including music, dance, and theater. According to Bradford, the event strikes a balance between structured performances and freedom for attendees to explore the park's many artistic installations. "We always try to keep things fresh," he said. "This year, we’ve found a really nice balance between our musical and performative acts while still allowing space for attendees to discover new experiences."
Listen to Kurt Hauswirth's full conversation with Marquette Fringe President Michael Bradford:
In addition to its artistic focus, community involvement is at the heart of the Marquette Fringe's mission. "Collaboration between artists and the community is a big part of our ethos," Bradford noted. "We want to grow appreciation for original arts and help artists develop themselves across disciplines."
For those attending Fall Phantasm for the first time, Bradford shared a few practical tips. "The event is free, and dressing up is encouraged but not required," he said. He also mentioned a new shuttle service, with parking available at the nearby Ojibwa Casino. "We want to make it as easy as possible for people to come out and experience what the local arts community has to offer."
For more information on Fall Phantasm and other Marquette Fringe events, visit marquettefringe.org, or check out the Facebook event page.
