Mini Fringe 2026 Highlights & Photos

Winter Mini Fringe returned on January 31 with another lively day of art, food, and performance at Side Street Studio Arts. The 7th annual event kicked off with a new visual art reception that drew a great crowd and set the tone for the afternoon. The gallery featured work by our 2026 Elgin Fringe poster artist Adam Grewenig, alongside pieces by past poster artists Anna Lentz, Andrew Vo, Kathryn Eli, Jess Rocha, Kerri Liu, and Christopher Hodge. It was a warm welcome to friends, neighbors, and art lovers who came early to explore the show and catch up with each other in the gallery.

At 4:00 pm the free Mini-Fringe potluck began, and the room buzzed with conversation as folks shared dishes and stories while getting ready for the performances. People connected before and after the shows, creating a relaxed atmosphere that felt just right for a Fringe afternoon in winter.

The first performance was Ozark Phantasmagoria by Ursa Miles, a strange and mystical piece set in the 1930s Ozarks where rivers, towns, and cryptids collide. Audiences were pulled into the story right away with its haunting characters and unexpected twists.

Next up was The Aisle Play from Sword and Ink Theater, a dark comedy imagining what you might do at the end of the world. With a mix of sharp humor and off-beat charm, it had the crowd laughing one minute and leaning in the next.

At 7:00 pm Cardboard Theatre presented Bad Stories for Bad Children, a series of original tales told with shadow puppets and sly wit. There were laughs, surprises, and plenty of playful audience responses throughout.

The night wrapped up with Closed Captions, a high-energy Spanglish standup showcase featuring Jose Alfredo, Adrian Ayala, Carlos Alvidrez, and Uzi Acosta. With English leading and Spanish weaving in, the comedy landed with everyone in the room. It was a perfect way to close out a day full of shared joy, creative spark, and community connection.

Winter Mini Fringe continues to be a joyful moment in Elgin’s arts calendar, bringing together visual art, performance, food, and laughter in ways you can only experience live. We can’t wait to do it again!

Thanks for sharing photos: Nick Mataragas, Joshua Smith, Erin Rehburg, Anna Lentz, Tanner Melvin, and Adam Grewenig.  

if you have any photos of 2026 Mini Fringe to share them with michael@elginfringefestival.com.