This year's New Orleans Fringe Festival opens on Wednesday, November 16 and runs through Sunday, November 20.

Over the years in New Orleans the concept has mushroomed and increased in popularity. In 2010 it brought about 40 performing arts groups to the city and nearly 100 separate productions were staged. This year's numbers are expected to be closer to 70 performing arts groups and 200 separate productions.

Performances may include drama, comedy, dance, improvisational, pantomime, musical theater, puppetry, storytelling and other forms of the performing arts. Productions are staged in small neighborhood theatres and even on the stages of local bars.

Many of the performances are open to the public and priced inexpensively. The festival lasts for a whole weekend and individual show admissions are usually $8 for each.

In typical New Orleans fashion, the event is celebrated with a parade and other festivities. This year's Goodchildren Fringe Parade will roll on Saturday, November 19 at 2:00 p.m. It is billed as "an indescribably beautiful collision of performers, community, a rich history of street parades and off-the-wall weirdness that is part of everyday life in New Orleans." For complete information about the parade, including the route, click here.

For information about attending the Fringe Festival and purchasing tickets go to www.nofringe.org or call 504-941-3640.