Our theatre scribes Colin Thomas and Kathleen Oliver have chosen Jayson McDonald's Magic Unicorn Island for the Georgia Straight Critics' Choice Award in the wake of the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Thomas's review had said the show's creator-performer takes on "global warming and rampant militarism, and he does so with his heart open and imagination blazing".

In the wrap-up event September 14 for the 30th annual theatre free-for-all, Dirty Old Woman, starring Susinn McFarlen, also picked up a prize, the Cultchivating the Fringe award. That ensures the work will get a life beyond the Fringe, with a run at the Cultch.

Granville Island Public Market Pick of the Fringe shows were also announced, meaning those of you who couldn't get your butts down to the best shows (or just couldn't get a ticket!) are getting a second chance to see them at Performance Works. Peter n' Chris and the Kinda OK Corral plays Wednesday (September 17) at 7 p.m.; ...didn't see that coming is Thursday (September 18) at 7 p.m.; Caws & Effect plays the same night at 9 p.m.; Dirty Old Woman plays Friday (September 19) at 9 p.m.; No Tweed Too Tight is Saturday (September 20) at 9 p.m.; and Roller Derby Saved My Soul shows Sunday (september 21) at 5 p.m.

And running concurrently to all that is the Fringe's Pick Plus program--a chance to see some hand-picked Fringe favourites. On the roster: another Peter n' Chris show, this time  The Mystery of the Murder Hotel; other productions are Basic Training; 6 Guitars; and God Is a Scottish Drag Queen. More info and a schedule is here.