Press Release
January 23, 2025
Full media kit including performer images, Rogue Muse Info, program, and more.
2025 Rogue Performance Festival
Jaguar Bennett
(559) 355-9154
The Rogue Festival is back, February 28-March 8, with 40 performing groups, 9 venues, and 6 days of theater, music, dance, improv, comedy, storytelling, performance art, magic and more
Rogue Teaser Show on Feb. 27
Rogue website at fresnoroguefestival.org
FRESNO, CA — The Rogue Festival, Fresno’s most uncontrolled arts event, returns Feb. 28-March 8, 2025, presenting over 180 performances from 45 different performing groups, in nine different venues for six days of theater, music, dance, improv, comedy, storytelling, performance art, magic and the Rogue’s signature “acts too strange to accurately describe.”
Audiences can get a sneak peek at this year’s Rogue acts at the Rogue Teaser Show, Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. at Gazebo Gardens, 3205 N. Van Ness Blvd., Fresno CA 93704.
Founded in 2002 by Fresno playwright Marcel Nunis, the Rogue Festival is now one of the oldest and best respected Fringe theater festivals in North America. The Rogue is an uncurated, unjuried, uncensored festival — performers are selected through a random lottery and there are no restrictions on what performers can say or do. In an age of book bannings and constant threats to free speech, the Rogue Festival stands firm for unrestricted artistic expression and celebrates the power of outsider art to challenge society.
The Rogue Festival features independent artists performing their own original work, often for the first time. The Rogue provides a venue for artists to present their most daring and experimental work and gives audiences a unique chance to see new, bold and utterly unconventional performances before anyone else. At the Rogue Festival, only the audience judges what is good or bad, expressed through word of mouth, reviews on the Rogue website and ticket sales. And best of all, 100% of Rogue Ticket sales go directly to the artist.
How to buy Rogue tickets:
1. Get a Rogue wristband. A Rogue wristband is required for entry to EVERY Rogue performance. Rogue wristbands cost just $6. You can buy your Rogue wristband on the Rogue website, at any Rogue venue, or at The Rogue Store, located in the Component Coffee/Lotus Room parking lot. Your Rogue wristband will also earn you valuable discounts at participating Tower businesses — see “2025 Rogue Wristband Sponsors” section below.
2. Buy tickets with credit/debit at the door or online. You can purchase tickets to any performance with credit or debit at the door, starting 30 minutes before the performance. Or you can buy tickets in advance at roguefestival.ticketleap.com.
3. If you want to pay cash, buy Rogue Vouchers at The Rogue Store. Rogue-managed venues (Dianna’s Studio of Dance, The Lotus Room, Spectrum Art Gallery, Veni Vidi Vici and ViSTA Theater) only accept credit, debit, and Rogue Vouchers. Cash is accepted only at The Rogue Store. Off-Rogue venues (Hart’s Haven and Hart’s Hangout) accept credit, debit, cash, electronic payment, and Rogue Vouchers. Artists Underground Venues (Historic Levy Family Home and Stargazer Cottage) accept credit, debit, and cash, and electronic payment, but not Rogue Vouchers.
4. If you’re going to do a lot of Rogueing, buy a 10-Show Ticket and save up to $30! A 10-Show Ticket costs $120, and is available at The Rogue Store.
2025 Rogue Festival dates:
Thursday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m., Rogue Teaser Show, Gazebo Gardens: Get a sneak peek of the 2025 Rogue performers at our special Teaser Show one night before the Rogue starts.
Friday, Feb. 28, Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2: First weekend of Rogue performances.
Monday, March 3, 7 p.m., Beatdown Slam, The Lotus Room: Rogue performers face off against Inner Ear Poetry Slam poets in a Battle Royal of rhythm, rhyme, and improvisation! Pick your side as your favorites vie for $100 prize and team bragging rights!
Thursday March 6, Friday March 7, and Saturday, March 8: Second weekend of Rogue performances.
2025 Rogue Festival venues:
Rogue-Managed Venues
Dianna’s Studio of Dance, 826 N. Fulton St.
The Lotus Room, 626 E. Olive Ave.
Spectrum Art Gallery, 608 E. Olive Ave.
Veni Vidi Vici, 1116 N. Fulton St.
ViSTA Theater, 1296 N. Wishon Ave.
Off-Rogue Venues
Hart’s Haven (indoor stage), 950 N. Van Ness Ave.
Hart’s Hangout (outdoor stage), 950 N. Van Ness Ave.
Artist’s Underground Venues
Levy Historic Family Home, 666 E. Home Ave..
Stargazer Cottage, 1292 N. Ferger Ave.
Rogue on the Web
Rogue website: https://fresnoroguefestival.org/
Rogue ticket sales website: https://roguefestival.ticketleap.com/
Rogue social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rogue.fresno
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RogueFestival
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roguefestival/
2025 Rogue Festival sponsors:
The Rogue Festival is not possible without our generous community supporters. Special thanks to our wonderful Rogue sponsors:
Sarah Dresser, Realtor
Dumont Printing
Free Bird Co.
Fresno Flyer
Fresno Music Academy
Gazebo Gardens
Lorie Lewis Ham
Humble Hostess
KVPR
The Lincoln Pub&Grub
Peace Rocks Foundation
Ragin’ Records
Root Access
Tower District Records
2025 Rogue Wristband Sponsors
Your Rogue wristband is more than just your ticket to the Rogue Festival — it’s your key to getting VALUABLE DISCOUNTS from your favorite Tower District businesses. Flash your Rogue wristband at the following businesses and see what kinds of exciting special offers you can get:
Bookish
520 W Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Free Bird Company
838 E Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
India’s Oven
1153 N Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93728
The Lincoln Pub&Grub
1153 N Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93728
Livingstone’s Restaurant & Pub
831 E Fern Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Mi Cafesito
1495 North Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Tower District Records
1930 N Echo Ave, Fresno, CA 93704
But wait, there’s more! There may also be some mystery wristband sponsors not on this list. Look for the Rogue Wristband Sponsor sign in the windows of Tower businesses, flash your Rogue wristband, and see what discounts you get!