I am happy to back at Rogue Festival for my fifth time, and this year I am emceeing burlesque shows, teaching improv at Severance, co-hosting the morning coffee salon at the home of Marcel Nunis, and performing my new show Cathedral City at Tower Lounge. I’m not surprised that I’ve become such a fixture at Rogue. I love it, and every year I look forward to returning to the Tower District.
Renee "Solitaire" Newlove is this year's Co-Producer/Performer Relations for the Fresno Rogue Festival and has been involved with the Rogue Festival for several years. Since this is her last year in this position it seemed a perfect time to chat with her about her experiences, and a little about this year's festival which is just a couple of weeks away!
The stage can give insight into being human. It can entertain, spinning wondrous fairytales. Dancing with Demons, a new work by playwright and actress Shana Cordon, accomplishes both feats.
There is a saying “You have to kiss a few toads before you meet your prince charming.” I can attest to its truth. Almost everyone has had a “toad” in their life, but don’t feel bad if haven’t. I likely took yours and am not the least bit sorry. Even though making fun of myself is the mainstay of my comedy, I find almost nothing more rewarding than making fun of my ex and the other men I’ve dated.
This year the Fresno's annual Rogue Festival includes the debut performance of The Excursions (formerly Cool Reflection), with five shows during the first week of March. This multi-instrumental group plays classic rock, reggae, blues and Americana with a jazzy, improvisational touch. Original tunes and select covers, interpreted in a fresh way, feature dynamic interplay between instruments and complex vocal harmonies.
