I spent ½ my day yesterday volunteering at SF Fringe’s hospitality suite, a place to sit back, enjoy some strawberry or cucumber flavored water, make a mask, munch on some fresh popped popcorn, or all three at the same time. The staff at The Exit has gone out of their way to make everyone involved in the Fringe festival feel welcome, and they have done a fabulous job. Yesterday, I enjoyed sandwiches at their SF Fringe party (everyone involved with the shows was invited for a delicious sandwich mixer), got to see a show for free (as a volunteer I can see any show at Fringe for free that isn’t sold out), AND I got to catch-up with friends both old and new, and meet new artists. I talked with the woman behind Nightingale, a show that everyone raves about, one that I’m trying to catch next Saturday, the actors from O Best Beloved, another show getting fantastic feedback, and many others. Meeting artists from near and far, learning more about those artists you already know, it’s all a part of living and creating in a community. As someone who hopes to create more in this community, it’s a no-brainer for me to get to know the folks in my community better.

I mean, I got to spend hours painting masks! Do you know how often I have the chance to do something like that? Never. The answer is never.

So, if you missed the boat volunteering this year at Fringe Festival, there’s always next year! I had a great time, and I can’t recommend it enough. Thank you Stuart Bousel, Christina Augello, and everyone else who works so hard making Fringe Festival awesome!