Montreal Fringe Festival has grown into a huge and varied people-and-fun oriented artistic showcase centered in and about The Main – a cornerstone event that kicks off the summer arts season. More than 60,000 people attended last year.

Now in its 26th season, the festival continues until June 19 at 11 main venues with a total of 22 stages. The Fringe Park at St. Laurent and Rachel is the site of the central box office, outdoor stage, and beer tent.

A total of 114 companies, selected by lottery or first come, first served basis, are being featured this year, with more than 700 performances to choose from. To ensure diversity, 70 per cent are locally based – half Anglophone and half Francophone. Another 15 per cent are from the rest of Canada, and 15 per cent have international content.

Productions include dance, music, puppetry, poetry, cabaret, and storytelling.

Variety and innovation abound, with the Fringe Park at Rachel and St. Laurent the central meeting place for festival goers. All kinds of stuff happens there, including a Bouge dance party June 11, 1 pm, Songs by Sarah Segal-Lazar June 12, 3 pm, and Passovah Fringe Pop music and art Montreal June 18, 6 pm, and June 19, 4 pm.

Get the Fringe Program for full details. To buy advanced tickets visit the Fringe Park, noon to 11 pm, or montrealfringe.ca. Call 514-849-3378, go to MainLine Gallery, 3905 St. Laurent up to June 8, 2 -9pm.