It’s hard to believe that we have already performed 2 of our 3 annual shows and opening night to Grandstand 2012 is only 49 days away! It felt like we were just getting people excited for Christmas Holidays the other day with our Christmas Spectacular. I absolutely love Christmas Show, because we are able to brighten the spirits of the Seniors all the way to the little ones, and it allows us to give a Christmas gift to those Calgarians in need. Then before you know it, we are already in to Spring Show rehearsals, bringing a huge variety of characters to life, visiting music from the past to the future and giving the audience an extremely energetic and diverse show that challenges all of us. By the end of Spring Show, we are ready to move past the training part of the year and get in to Grandstand mode. And that is where we are at today, in the process of putting together a celebration of the Calgary Stampede’s 100th year that you do not want to miss. I can’t reveal any show secrets of course, so you will have to come see for yourself all of the new and thrilling aspects of the Grandstand 2012.

The Young Canadians have been around for 44 years, that’s nowhere near as old as the Calgary Stampede itself, but it is definitely something to be proud of. Each year YC’s put on a Spring Show in the month of March. Our most recent show was “Musicality”. This is the time of year when students, such as myself, get the opportunity to direct our own student numbers. This provides us with the privilege of showing off our ideas and choreography. Also, a number of Young Canadians get featured in the show to show off their performance skills as soloists. I was extremely grateful and happy to be chosen for the lead role in the performance of ‘Shipoopi’ from “Music Man”. In light of the 44 years of the program, I was going to talk about how the Young Canadians has changed over time. The spring show has evolved over time, in fact the Young Canadians used to have their own dinner theatre, one of the first in Calgary and entertained guests with a variety of shows including “Annie”, “Anything Goes”, “How to Succeed in Business”, “Oliver” and many more including “Music Man”. You can see that the more vaudeville look of costumes from their 1974 production (with Noreen Lyall and Dale Franklin) has been reimagined by our costumer for the 2012 production. Time may have passed by but the same enthusiasm for performing which is in each of us goes on. I hear the group back then was a little older than we are today with the average age a little over 21, but they enjoyed bringing this show to life in a theatre filled with appreciative audiences. The dinner theatre has since stopped operating, but our spring shows have grown at the same time to bring the excitement of our performances out. The cast of the Young Canadians back then was also much smaller, but with our training program today, we have over 150 in the show from ages 7 to 21. It’s amazing to think in the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede that after 44 years there have been hundreds and hundreds of young people who are part of our YC family. It’s amazing to think how things have changed over the years. I wonder what it will be like when the Young Canadians program turns 100?

'Shipoopi' from the "Music Man", Spring Show in 1974 and 2012

A couple of days ago I had the pleasure of going on a private tour of Smithbilt Hats here in Calgary. Here are a few pictures of what I saw.

• Picture 1. Hat bodies. Smithbilt doesn’t make hat bodies here in Calgary. They have them shipped in from Portugal, Tennesse and Ecuador (wool hats). White Hats are extermely diffcult to make. They are diffcult because of the colour of the felt and you have to keep washing your hands so the felt stays clean.
• Picture 2. Calgary Stampede centennial hat bodies. Note they are not made yet. They wait until someone purchase them and they custom make the hat while you are standing there.
• Picture 3. Hats that people have bought and are waiting to get made.
• Picture 4.  Machine used to shape wool hats & size in corner a puzzle block that shapes top hats (puzzle because it comes apart to remove it from the hat after shaping used for making Top Hats).
• Picture 5. Shaping the top part wood block is used to give shape. Water ~120C.
• Picture 6.  Shaping a wool hat.
• Picture 7. Machine that shapes hats. They can make about 300 wool hats in a day.
• Picture 8. Felt hats drying. It takes about a week to dry properly. Wool hats take about a day to dry.
• Picture 9. Most of this equipment they have been using since the early 1900′s.
• Picture 10. Machine used to block out the shape (felt) (115° 2 tons pressure).
• Picture 11. A hat die. Used to shape wool hats.
• Picture 12. Heating up the felt fibers so he can shape the hat.
• Picture 13. Telling how he matches it to the line of your nose. Also sands the hat with sand paper starting at coarse and ends with a fine paper.
• Picture 14. Hand shaping the crown of the hat.
• Picture 15. Shaping the brim of the hat.
• Picture 16. Et voilà! Hat finished.
• Picture 17. Sewing machine that puts in hat bands. Sweat bands are made from goat leather and can be engraved with anything you wish. Birthday, Name, Year the sky’s the limit.
• Picture 18. The laser engraving machine that engraves the sweat bands.

Remember to Breathe.

Last weekend I had that pleasure of attending the Stampede 4 Corner Event in southeast Calgary. I was there with my fellow Next Generation Committee team members not only promoting our latest project but as a Calgarian getting excited for Stampede.

The smell of pancake breakfast, the western garb, the smiling faces, the country music … I had tingles on the back of my neck as soon as the event started. It really marked the start of Stampede season for me.

The 4 Corners events are the perfect blend of Stampede and community. The community crowd was gathering not only for the free Stampede breakfast but also to support local community organizations and cheer on community entertainment.

It really is the perfect event to tell Calgary about the Next Generation Committee’s time capsule. You haven’t heard of the time capsule? Check out the news release for more information, but in a sentence the time capsule is the Next Generation Committee’s way to captured the first 100 years of the Stampede and share it with the Calgary 100 years from now. Pretty exciting actually!

How exciting? Well I watched a child no more than 6 drop in her favorite Stampede memento into our time capsule at the 4 Corners event. Her eyes were wide as she exclaimed, “off to the future!!” Now that’s exciting!

That’s what the time capsule is. It is about sharing your Stampede story in 100 years. Not ours, not a famous country star’s, and not a world famous cowboy – we want to share Calgary’s story.

We walked around the breakfast taking video of community members. We asked them to tell us their favorite Stampede moment and followed up with what they thought Stampede would be like in 100 years. All of these videos will be captured and put into the time capsule. In 100 years the Stampede volunteers that open the time capsule up will see the faces of Calgarians and hear them gushing about why they love Stampede. They will know the stories of Calgarians from all walks of life and from all 4 corners of the city.

One of the favorite stories that someone shared was a gentleman who volunteered on the Stampede Lotteries committee and selected the winner of the Dream Home a decade ago. He described reaching his hand deep in a drum filled with a million tickets; when he couldn’t reach anymore he grabbed a ticket. He said he will always remember the winner’s name. What a moment!

Stampede is so many things to so many people. I hope that you will seek out the Next Generation Committee at the next 4 Corners Breakfast or at the Lilac Festival so that you can share your story and have it placed in the time capsule.

There are other ways to participate too – we are looking for submissions to the time capsule. If you have an item with a fascinating Stampede story that you want to donate to our capsule please email us (calgarystampede.ngc@gmail.com) with your contact information, a photo of the item and with the story.

Help us tell the Stampede story to Calgarians in 100 years – and make sure we tell yours.

Yahoo!
Christina

In 50 days, the greatest out door show on earth will commence. Turning 100 years old only happens once, so get ready for the best Calgary Stampede yet!!

This year has gone by so fast and before we know it, July will be here and Stampede spirit will be filling the air. Actually, Stampede spirit is already flowing through the city come to think of it! The Royalty girls and I have been spending lots of time in the community spreading cheer and getting people excited. Last weekend was the second of four “4 Corners” events in the city. Tons of Stampede volunteers and their committees put on a big pancake breakfast, as well as all kinds of activities for everyone! From line dancing, milking cows and throwing a lariat, to checking out other community events and resources, this event brings Stampede spirit to all “4 corners” of the city! The weather last week was picture perfect compared to the week before in the snow! But Rain, snow or shine, the girls and I are always having fun and love being a part of the Stampede Centennial celebrations.

Last weekend was also exciting for the girls and I because we were honored to attend a banquet for the Calgary Aquabelles Synchronized Swim Club at the Calgary Zoo! The Aquabelles hosted other swim clubs from all over Canada. There were also two very special guests, Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon, and Elise Marcotte, Canadian Senior National Team and duet members for synchronized swimming. These two ladies will be representing Canada in the London 2012 Olympics this summer. It was an amazing and inspiring moment when we met Marie and Elise. As an athlete myself, I was so inspired and star struck at the same time. I respect and recognize the lifelong commitment they have made to their sport and I wish them the best of luck in London this summer! I can only imagine how it felt for the girls at the banquet to meet their Olympic heroes! It was a great night of food, mingling, autographing cowboy hats and even line dancing!!

Upon leaving the banquet, there was even a surprise for Candice waiting for her outside. Peacocks tend to roam free at the zoo… and they wanted to make friends with Jessica and I, but Candice has a small vendetta against birds, to say the least!!

With only 50 days to go, it makes me look back on this year and think about all the fun we have had, the places we have traveled, the people we have met, and the spirit we have spread. I am so thankful that I have gotten the opportunity to be an ambassador for Calgary and the Calgary Stampede this year. We have spread the word from Vancouver to Anaheim, to Berlin and back, and soon to Washington D.C in June. So many great memories and so much more to come. Get ready Calgary, Canada and the World, 50 more days!!!!

If you’re interested in history, art, Stampede or all of these things, then you’ll want to check out the new installation coming soon to the Glenbow.  “Charlie Russell and the First Calgary Stampede” runs from June 2 – July 29, 2012.

It’s only fitting that there’s an exhibition of his paintings during the centennial celebration, as this “Famous Cowboy Artist’s” Special Exhibition of 20 paintings was a huge draw at the first ever Calgary Stampede.

The Glenbow has managed to almost fully recreate his 1912 exhibition and will have 18 out of the 20 paintings on display.

Russell, known for his stunning western landscapes and portrayals of First Nations, cowboys and outlaws, has provided us with an important visual history of what life was like in the west.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1864, he moved to Montana at the age of 16 where he spent most of his life until his passing in 1926.  It is said that he lived with the Blood Indians of the Blackfeet Nation for a period of time in the late 1880’s, which explains why he was able to portray them so authentically.

The Glenbow is also a hosting a number of other great events in the coming months that will celebrate our western heritage and values including “Weekend at the Museum: Go West!” on June 23 & 24, The “Walrus Glenbow Debate -  Calgary’s Cowboy Culture: Living Legacy or Just History?” on June 7, as well as “Cash and Conviction: The Big Four and the First Calgary Stampede” on Thursday, June 28, where their Senior Curator of Cultural history, Lorain Lounsberry, goes behind the scenes in Glenbow’s extensive cultural history collections to tell the tale of the four successful ranchers and business men that each guaranteed $25,000 so that Guy Weadick could produce the first Calgary Stampede in 1912.

More information can be found on their website at www.glenbow.org.

The Calgary Stampede and Indian Events committee is now accepting applications for the 2013 Stampede Indian Princess Pageant. This invitation is extended to all eligible Treaty 7 First Nation young women not less than 18 years of age and not more than 25 years of age as of September 13, 2012.

Full conditions of entry are available on the application. Applications are available at Indian Events office, Calgary Stampede Headquarters or via email at indianprincess@calgarystampede.com

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS AUGUST 24, 2012 at 4:30pm

Until this year, I’ve never known how to really slow down and take time to relax. I love being busy, helping people, doing anything I can to keep me from sitting on the couch. But as I drove home this morning from crossfit, I couldn’t believe that I didn’t even realize how beautiful it is today outside. When I got home I fed the animals, made breakfast, and now I am currently sitting outside enjoying my coffee. To the trio next year, take moments like these and cherish them. It makes you love what you get to for Calgary even more and it gives you time to realize how special it is to be part of something so much bigger than we realize. Remember to breathe

Leading the charge this week at Stampede Park is Nickelback as they hit Calgary on their first North American tour in two years!

Details on that and more here:

• CHA Canada 2012 Spring Trade Exhibition for Quilting, Sewing & Fibre:  The Craft & Hobby Association of Canada will be hosting their spring trade exhibition in Calgary this week.  Open to anyone involved in the sewing, fashion, home décor and quilting industries, including fibre for knitting, crochet and mixed media, this industry event takes place May 14 and 15 in the BMO Centre, Palomino.  For more information, see here.
• Nickelback:  Juno award-winning rock band Nickelback is back on tour and they’re stopping in Calgary this week. Featuring special guests Bush, Seether and My Darkest Days, it all takes place on Wednesday, May 16 at 6 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome.  Tickets for the concert are available through Ticketmaster.

Only 52 days to go until the Calgary Stampede’s centennial!  With festivities and other celebrations happening all over the place throughout the year to help celebrate 100 years of the Calgary Stampede, make sure to sign up to become a Stampede Insider for first-access to exclusive news, contests and other insider information, and be sure to keep an eye on our official Twitter account at @calgarystampede and our official Facebook fan page for giveaways, special announcements, and more! Finally, visit our website and continue to tune into the official Stampede Blog to learn more about all of the things happening here on Park and beyond!

This is a shout out to… my mama, aka the provider, the caregiver, the hug-giver, the mom-person.

Thank you for everything you do, this year is amazing but without you and dad I would not be able to do this. Even down to the little things of helping me put my sheets on my bed when I get in late from events and I’m so tired I’m walking around with my eyes closed. Or taking care of my horse, I hope she still loves me!!

But no matter what I will always love you and I am excited to share this year with you

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

When Calgary was chosen along side the Niagara region to be the cultural capital of Canada, it brought a new sense of empowerment to our home. With all the celebrations going on in the City this year, I am proud to say that I am from Calgary and this is what we represent; western heritage and values with a sweet artsy twist. Calgary has a vibrant art scene that we can see growing each day, and even within the Calgary Stampede, the growth of youth in the arts just goes to show how much people are willing to help others portray their passions. Together we dance.

An example of this would be my brother Thomas. The girls hear me talk about him and his passion for film all the time! Growing up, most kids love watching Disney movies, or cartoons like Bugs Bunny and Tweetie – I would watch Cinderella, he would watch Ghostbusters. I would be going to volleyball practice, and he would be at home studying the work of many talented directors and artists while listening to the most up and coming musicians, finding the perfect song for the opening scene of his next great idea. Together we create.

Having the opportunity this year to represent the “greatest outdoor show on earth” as ambassadors means the world to me and my stampede sisters, Princess Jessica, Princess Dani and Indian Princess Amelia Crowshoe. Having a wide demographic of culture in our city, each of us have something to bring to the table, whether it is views from the western way of life, or from the artsy belt-line of Calgary. I asked Amelia what her thoughts were on this and she stated that, “It’s a great step towards embracing Calgary’s cultural diversity.” Amelia not only represents the Calgary Stampede but all of Treaty 7 and their involvement for the past 100 years, sharing their history and culture with us. Being able to take part in the unique ritual of putting on our best western dress with Calgary this summer will make it one for the history books. Together we dress.

The Calgary Stampede, along with Calgary Parks and Recreation, The Calgary Public Library, The Pumphouse Theaters and the Theatre Junction GRAND are having celebrations for 100 years of success, adventures and growth within the city. Though a 100 years seems like a long time, we are still a young city and with youth comes fresh ideas. Fresh like the culinary genius at places like Rouge in Inglewood. We at the Calgary Stampede share close history with them since it was the house of one of the big 4, A.E. Cross, built in 1891. Together we dine.

Calgary 2012, you have done a fabulous job encouraging our community to embrace a strong sense of identity within our city and have given many Calgarians reasons to feel empowered by their cultural background. This will have an impact on not only the surrounding areas of Southern Alberta, but our country on a national level, giving us reason to show how special Calgary’s diversity really is. This gives us all the more reason to come together and celebrate! A city that rides together, stays together. Thank you and we are excited to see everyone in July at our celebration of 100 years of being “Greatest Together”.

2012 is a milestone year here in Calgary as it marks the centennial year of many organizations around town, including the Calgary Public Library, City of Calgary Recreation, and yes, the Calgary Stampede.  As such, our city has also been designated the Cultural Capital of Canada, and last night, the folks over at Calgary 2012 threw a big bash in the BMO Centre to celebrate!

Entitled the Sweet City Opening Celebration, named after the 2012 theme song for this year, Sweet City Woman by the classic Canadian (and Calgarian!) rock band The Stampeders, the entire city was invited to attend a free concert and party to help kick things off.

Many groups from all over representing a wide variety of culture were invited to perform and participate, giving Calgarians a taste of the diverse cultural makeup of this city.  Performers included luchadors, performance artists, hip-hop dancers, burlesque troops and so much more.  Mayor Nenshi and Premier Redford were in attendance, and our very own Stampede Royalty were on hand to participate as well.  The headlining act:  A full musical set (with encore!) from none other than The Stampeders themselves.

As a Stampede volunteer and a Calgary 2012 Cultural Ambassador myself, I have to say that 2012 is going to be a BIG year, not just for the Stampede, but for Calgary as well.  We truly are Greatest Together, and if you’d like to learn more about what 2012 has in store for all of Calgary, stay tuned to Calgary 2012 where you can find out everything there is to know about how we’ll be celebrating all aspects of culture in our great city throughout the year.

The Calgary Stampede is an organization that operates year-round, and not just 10 days out of the year.

Throughout the year, you can find a Stampede presence at a variety of community and private events, festivals and more, not just in Calgary, but within the province and even outside of it.  Our organization throws many events for the public on our own (for example, the 100 Day Launch Event last March 29 at Olympic Plaza and the Four Corners – presented by BURNCO events happening in the coming weeks in various quadrants of the city), but we also take requests from various groups in the community who would like a Stampede presence at their event to help enhance it.

Today, Stampede volunteers were at the Shaw Campus in NE Calgary helping them pull off their own Stampede breakfast helping their employees celebrate the end of their Fill the Food Banks campaign, a part of their nation-wide Together is Amazing initiative.  As of May 4, Shaw’s managed to collect 718,000 pounds of food and $339,000 to feed the hungry nation-wide.

To celebrate Calgary’s part in the success, employees were able to partake in an old-fashioned Stampede breakfast complete with pancakes and sausage with a small donation to their charity of choice, the Calgary Veteran’s Food Bank.

Here are some more pictures from the event:

If you’d like to request a Stampede presence at your event, it’s very easy.  Simply fill out this form with the details of your event (for example, date, location and description), and the Stampede assets you’d like to appear.  You can book appearances by the Stampede Queen and Princesses, Indian Princess or Harry the Horse, or you can request volunteers from committees like Downtown Attractions or Promotion to enhance your event with various resources.  While we do try to accommodate as many requests as we can, we also get a lot so the earlier you can get your request in, the better!

And if you’re looking for our next BIG Stampede public community event, you need to check out the Four Corners – presented by BURNCO event happening tomorrow (Saturday, May 12) at the South Fish Creek Recreation Complex at 100 333 Shawville Blvd S.E.  Running from 9 a.m. to noon, there’ll be pancake breakfasts, demonstrations, special activities and more.  With an old-time community fair and interactive games for the kids, it’s like a mini-Stampede festival in your backyard!

At times I can be easily inspired by the most random things ever, whether it be a weird newspaper clipping, or a youtube video, doesn’t matter! This blog was inspired by Jimmy Fallon, only my favorite late night show!!!

On his show, they do an act called shout out, and at times it can be so ridiculous, but mine isn’t going to be to crazy…

I want to give a shout out to..

Alix Williams aka. Lixie chick. For being as crazy as me and my lovely ladies: Dani (Bam Bam), Jessica (Jessamaca) and Amelia (Amelio)

I want to give a shout out to..

Whoever thought of the idea of having moustache photos. My life seems more complete with them.

Last one… I want to give a shout out to Mike Casey aka Prez. Know matter what weird thing he seems to catch us doing or saying, he will still stand by us, even in the snow.