Just as there are 50 ways to leave your lover, there are many ways to enjoy Stampede. Four Calgarians share their Stampeding styles, secrets
Mark Hopkins, Co-Artistic Director, Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre
To me, Calgary Stampede is…For better or for worse, pretty much the only event in Calgary that not only brings in that incredible tourist population, but also animates downtown and animates Calgarians. Everyone in Calgary is affected by the Stampede, doesn’t matter who you are or where you are. As an artist, I wish that the thing that got us this excited was something to do with the arts. But it seems like the only time we do get excited is the Stampede or when the Flames make the play-offs. And that’s fine. Not what I prefer, but the reality.
The Calgary Stampede means…Recognition around the world. The Stampede is a really good thing for the city. When you go to Europe, they’ve heard of Calgary, maybe because of the Olympics, and probably because of the Stampede. It puts us on the cultural map, and makes us a destination for tourists. I need to figure out now how to fit into that.
During the 10 days, I never miss…An opportunity to go to a movie, or stay at home. I do think it’s time to do something different, though. It almost behooves us as a cultural organization to participate in that. Maybe this year I’ll try to make myself available downtown and saying “Hi” to people. Maybe that’s all it takes.
Stampede fashion should…Not be mandatory. It’s actually a struggle for me not to wear denim, as most of my pants are jeans. However, during the Stampede I try not to wear jeans. During the Stampede, denim takes on a symbolism that it doesn’t have the rest of the year, and I do not want to represent myself as a rancher — not because I have anything against ranchers, but because I feel I would be misrepresenting them. I don’t own a cowboy hat. I don’t have any denim jackets. I don’t want to dress “cowboys and indians.” I wear a lot of pink during the Stampede…I find there is a lot of “hetero-normativity” during the Stampede … I guess it is exactly what it sounds like, that I’m trying to buck the trend and be an artistic rebel. I’m straight, but I feel like there could be a lot more “gay” during the Stampede.
My favourite Stampede memory…Besides working the Kinsmen booths, and the front gates, would have to be when I was a bouncer at Nashville North, believe it or not. I was a daytime bouncer, and all I did was take IDs. I had just turned 18, and the people going in were, like, 30, looking at me like, “Who the hell are you?” These were really formative experiences for me, as these were my first jobs. And that’s the case for a lot of kids that grow up in Calgary. The Stampede is your first job.
If This is You, Don’t Miss:BEll Midway Circus: Ignite: To kick off the fireworks every evening, be sure to check out this group performance featuring the Calgary Stampede Showband, Milord Fire Dive Team and Fire Torch Spinners.
cs.calgarystampede.comNewzones Gallery Pancake Breakfast: Enjoy Western-themed artwork along with chocolate chip pancakes and fruit salad at one of the city’s best-kept-secret breakfasts. G’ddy Up exhibit runs July 10 to August 28. Breakfast July 10.
newzones.comShakespeare in the Park: Take a Stampede break and watch Othello from the comfort of your blanket in Prince’s Island Park.
myshakespeare.ca
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