Information for Fringe Performers

What Is the Fringe?

One of the most exciting components of the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition, produced by SFEMS, is the Fringe—a series of SELF-PRODUCED concerts presented by individuals and ensembles from around the world.

Fringe events are entirely produced and managed by the artists. This includes venue booking, artist fees, ticketing, staffing, scheduling, and all production logistics. SFEMS does not produce or administer Fringe events.

The Fringe exists as a parallel, artist-driven layer of activity that allows ensembles to present their work alongside the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition and reach audiences already engaged with the Festival.

What Services We Provide for the Fringe

SFEMS offerings and services to Fringe participants include publicity for registered Fringe events through the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition calendar and Festival Reader, inclusion in the Festival Fringe Publicity Flyer, and access to a list of suggested venue options and resources based on past Festivals.

Publicity & Resource Services Include:

Publicity Listing Fees

  • $75 per event — SFEMS affiliate organizations

  • $125 per event — non-affiliate organizations

Each publicity listing includes:

  • Online 2026 Fringe Calendar listing
    Title, image, performers, repertoire, brief description (150 words or fewer), pricing, and location

  • Print Festival Reader listing
    Title, performers, brief description (150 words or fewer), pricing, and location

  • Festival Fringe Publicity Flyer listing
    Included in an email to the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition mailing list and distributed at Festival events
    (title, performers, location, and pricing)

In addition, SFEMS provides a suggested list of venue resources based on previous Festivals. These venues are offered as references only and are not endorsed by SFEMS or the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition.

Please note:

  • Information received after Monday, May 4 cannot be included in the printed Festival Reader

  • No registrations or additional listing information will be accepted after Friday, May 29.

  • All submitted images and copy are subject to editorial review for clarity, length, and consistency

Scheduling Your Fringe Event

Avoiding Blackout Periods

Fringe concerts may take place at any time during the dates of the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition. However, to support attendance across Festival programming, Fringe concerts scheduled during the mainstage performance times will not be promoted by the Festival.

Please note that Fringe events are self-scheduled by artists. SFEMS does not block or prevent Fringe events from overlapping with other Fringe performances, and multiple Fringe events may occur simultaneously. Events are displayed on the Festival calendar in chronological order by date and time, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

With the exception of published blackout periods, SFEMS is not responsible for coordinating or managing the Fringe schedule. It is the responsibility of presenting artists to choose dates and times that best serve their audiences.

To maximize visibility and audience attendance, please avoid scheduling your event during any portion of the following BLACKOUT TIMES:

  • Saturday, June 6: 7:00–9:30 pm

  • Sunday, June 7: 3:30–6:30 pm

  • Monday, June 8: 7:00–9:30 pm

  • Tuesday, June 9: 7:00–9:30 pm

  • Wednesday, June 10: 4:30–9:30 pm

  • Thursday, June 11: 4:30 pm–12:00 am

  • Friday, June 12: 4:30 pm–12:00 am

  • Saturday, June 13: 10:30 am–1:00 pm; 3:30–10:30 pm

  • Sunday, June 14: 1:30–5:00 pm

Concert Venues

The Berkeley area offers many fine locations for Fringe performances, some within walking distance of Berkeley Festival & Exhibition venues and others a short drive away. SFEMS provides a suggested venue resource list compiled from previous Festivals.

These venues are provided for reference only and are not endorsed, booked, or managed by SFEMS or the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition.

Please note:

  • Some venues require renters to hold nonprofit status and/or provide their own event insurance

  • If your organization is not an SFEMS affiliate, be sure to confirm requirements directly with venues

SFEMS affiliate organizations that have paid current insurance dues may rely on SFEMS’s nonprofit status and may request an insurance certificate with sufficient advance notice.

Special Note Regarding Loper Chapel

Loper Chapel at First Church Berkeley UCC (First Congregational) is a popular venue choice for Fringe events during the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition. Available times are very limited, and the church does not accept direct bookings.

Loper Chapel rental options will not open until mid-March.

A limited number of time slots are available through SFEMS for SFEMS-SPONSORED and SFEMS AFFILIATE EVENTS ONLY. To inquire about Loper Chapel availability once rentals open, please contact bfx.fringe@sfems.org.

Fringe Registration Process

After reviewing the information above, you may register your show as part of the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition 2026 Fringe by completing the online Fringe Registration Form.

Fringe registration is a two-step process:

Step 1: Submit Payment

Payment may be made online or by check payable to:

The San Francisco Early Music Society
P.O. Box 10151
Berkeley, CA 94709

Step 2: Submit Your Event Information

Once payment is received, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to submit your event details for inclusion in Festival publicity materials.

When completing your submission, please be sure to include all required sections, including:

  • A high-resolution image or graphic

  • A complete event description

  • Date and time

  • Ticket price

  • Performer and program details, as applicable

Please be aware that the information you submit is what will be used to showcase your Fringe performance in the Festival Reader, online calendar, and other Berkeley Festival & Exhibition promotional materials. Incomplete submissions may result in limited or delayed visibility.

Questions?
Please contact Daniel Cullen at bfx.fringe@sfems.org.

REGISTER NOW