Austin's longest-running and most beloved performance festival returns after a two-year pandemic hiatus, presenting the work – maybe cheesy, maybe brilliant, maybe goofy, maybe badass, always unique – of actors, artists, poets, dancers, and performers of all types from Austin and Texas and beyond. This year's festival features two different showcases. The Short Fringe (works of 25 minutes or less) will run the entirety of the festival, Tue.-Sat., Jan. 17-Feb. 18, at Hyde Park Theatre (511 W. 43rd). The highest-ranked performances each week get to return to the stage on Saturday for a Best of the Week showcase. The final week of the Short Fringe is reserved for Best of the Fest, which are pieces selected from each Best of the Week; there's also a Wild Card night of pieces that final week, selected by FronteraFest staff and crew. The BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) showcase, on the other hand, runs Jan. 29-Feb. 4, at two places that
aren't HPT – and we've got those listed separately for you. NOTE: See Brenner's
FronteraFest feature right here (and of course the Fest's website) for more information.