The Calgary Stampede Showband is wowing crowds with its incredible sound, and if you haven’t seen or heard them yet, they’re hard to miss!
Playing daily on the BMO Centre Grand Staircase, the 155-member Stampede Showband will have you stopping in your tracks to sing a familiar song or tap your toes to a great beat. Joining them on stage this year are also some Young Canadian alumni, a guest guitar player and the Calgary Fiddlers.
“This year’s show, Sonic Connections explores the phenomenon of music bringing people together and feeling connected,” says Allie Cooper, Assistant Band Director. “Think of stadium anthems and everyone singing together to beats like the ‘bop, bop, bop’ in Sweet Caroline,” she adds.
From classics like Happy Together by The Turtles to contemporary hits like Where Is My Husband by RAYE, the setlist has audiences singing along. "People are lining up an hour ahead of our show just to watch. It's fantastic," says Robin Fullbrook, Band Director.
The Stampede Showband's ability to bring people together extends far beyond Calgary. Earlier this week, guests enjoyed performances by Showband.CH, a Swiss ensemble whose story began with a chance encounter at the Calgary Stampede 20 years ago.
In 2006, founder Jean-Luc Kuehnis was visiting Calgary with an orchestra when he happened upon a Stampede Showband performance. Inspired by what he saw and heard, he returned home determined to create something similar.
"It was love at first sight, love at first sound for me," says Jean-Luc. "We didn't have a marching band with this style. We had military bands but not a showband with spirit and community."
Aaron Park, Deputy Director, Learning & Cultures with the Stampede Foundation, was a member of the Stampede Showband 20 years ago. He and Jean-Luc have stayed connected ever since.
"I've been fortunate to see them a few times over the past 20 years when the Showband has travelled and we've been able to bring our bands together," says Aaron. "It was great to have them back in Calgary."
For Aaron, knowing the Calgary Stampede inspired the creation of Showband.CH speaks to the impact of the organization far beyond Calgary.
"It reminds me of the uniqueness of what we do. It's something people travel from around the world to experience and, in this case, were inspired to recreate in their own community. That's a huge compliment."
Catch the Calgary Stampede Showband on the BMO Centre Grand Staircase daily at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Learn more here.
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