I thought 30 Seconds to Fame was the greatest show on television. It wasn’t prepackaged reality-show crap. It was random people doing random things. They didn’t do it for the money; they did it because they can. In a weird way, it’s the purest form of art: creating because you can, not because you really get anything out of it. But sitting around perfecting your razor-swallowing abilities while you wait for the TV cameras to arrive is pretty lame.

For now at least, small, cabaret-style shows are a welcome and burgeoning addition to fringe culture. Like the upcoming Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show hosted by storyteller Elizabeth Lord. Working in the tradition of vaudeville shows from the early part of the 20th century, this fast-paced variety show promises a little something for everyone: dance, music, comedy, storytelling, juggling, even feats of amazement will fill the performance space.

[The Midnight Sun Performance Space, Sept. 26-28 8 p.m., also Sept. 27 10 p.m., $7-$15 sliding scale, 113 N. Columbia St., Olympia, www.buyolympia.com/events]