By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The 16th annual Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe gets underway Friday. There’s something for everyone with more than 160 productions in various genres.

The 7 Fingers Company of Montreal will perform its US premiere of “Sequence 8″ at the Merriam Theatre.

“Eight of the top circus acrobatic circus artists in the world,” says Nick Stuccio, the producing director of the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe.

“These are like the live actions heroes; these guys can actually scale the walls and jump 20 feet and do amazing things to each another. This is one of the best circus shows you’ll ever see and also we love it because it’s combined with contemporary dance.”

He says there are a broad range of performances at various venues from family friendly to some  pushing things to the left of center like those performing in the buff in “Untitled Feminist Show.”

“I say they are political, but they are first and foremost really entertaining and rally funny.”

Hear the full Nick Stuccio interview in this CBS Philly podcast (runs 1:39)…

The events run from September 7th to 22nd. More information at www.livearts-fringe.org