Fertile Ground, which we've described in previous years as "delightfully uncurated," gives itself full permission to go bananas. The affordable 11-day art fest, spearheaded by the Portland Area Theatre Alliance (PATA), dodges the "fringe festival" misnomer with premieres by dozens of local artists, "ensuring that the artistic and financial benefits of the festival stay in Portland." Participants will present staged readings, theatrical workshops, ensemble, multidisciplinary and collaboration-driven work, and a variety of dance, comedy, and film events.