I love cities. I'm a huge fan of concrete, skyscrapers, taxis, subways, and always being just a few short strides from a deli.

The city of all cities, and my true love, is New York, where I grew up. And it's not just the concrete and taxis that allure me; it's the way the city is alive. The city is constantly buzzing with activity, and while there are plenty of dull bourgeoisie areas and glitzy tourist traps in Manhattan, they are counteracted by the sparkling mishmash of eclectic neighborhoods, offbeat off-Broadways plays, and unique personalities.

But despite my loyalty to the Big Apple, living in D.C. for the summer has given me an appreciation of the unique charisma it has to offer. While there are plenty of cool events going on in all corners of the district (keeping our Social Capital Calendar full), I'm especially excited for tomorrow's addition to city life: the Capital Fringe Festival.

Fringe festivals are a great place to check out productions that have a particularly unusual, curious, and often bizarre flavor. If you're a resident of a really cool city--like New York or D.C.--or if you're just getting a taste for the summer, you should not miss the opportunity to explore the stranger side of art.

For the next ten days, there will be a slew of alternative performances around D.C. From theater, music, dance, political humor, and feminist productions to straight unclassifiable quirkiness, there's a little something for everyone who dares to venture beyond the status quo. Some of the events are highlighted on our calendar, but I suggest downloading a copy of the Official Festival Guide to get the full picture, or pick up a hard-copy at the Festival Box Office (1017-21 7th St, NW).

The fun kicks off tonight at nine with a party at Avenue--it's free, but, sadly, you must be over 21. Don't worry: the many great performances that are part of the Festival don't have this silly age restriction. And, if you're walking around D.C. ID-less tomorrow night or over the weekend, you might just run into Pop Up Dances, a troupe that performs on the street (often in front of major metro stations) during the festival.

Posted by Alex DiBranco