On the eve of the 12th annual KC Fringe Festival – an 11-day performing and visual arts extravaganza spread across multiple Kansas City venues – some of its hottest acts deliver a special preview. Pizza and beer are served. From theater and film to comedy, cabaret, music, storytelling, visual arts, and puppetry, the festival boasts an eclectic lineup of performances and exhibitions featuring not only local and regional talent but also artists from across the nation and around the world. This year’s Fringe Fest, running from Thursday, July 21, through Sunday, July 31, features 475 performances by 108 groups at 18 different venues.