New York International Fringe Festival

A brief synopsis can't do "the Fringe" justice. At this festival celebrating new and innovative works, you can catch musicals, mash-ups, solo shows, comedies, tragedies, parodies, performance art, puppetry and, well, you get the picture. Typically divided into two sections, this year the monthlong fest includes only FringeBYOV (which stands for "bring your own venue")—an “open access” segment that will take place at various venues in all five boroughs.