2007 CALGARY STAMPEDE GRANDSTAND SHOW

THE SPIRIT OF 1912

Under the Cowboy Skies

“The Spirit of 1912” celebrates the magic of the Calgary Stampede, a magic that is the heart and soul of the spirit of the west. 
 
In every era throughout history people of vision have come forth and shaken up the world around them setting in motion a whirlwind of new ideas that have touched the hearts and soul of people the world over and instigated creative movements of change.
 
In 1912 that was the magic that was released when Guy Weadick, Flores LaDue and the Big Four welcomed the world to the very first Calgary Stampede.  Since that time, the magic that was created on that fateful September day carries on every year in a spectacular celebration of western values known the world over as The Calgary Stampede.

Cowboy folklore is filled with the tales of the massive expanse of what we call, “The Cowboy Skies”.  These magical skies often took place at night where brilliant points of light sparkled against a velvet India ink background.  Beneath The Cowboy Skies, it seemed as though you could see forever. 

In the spirit of the adventure of life in the west – often high drama would play out on the impressive vistas of the Cowboy Skies. – Anvil-like thunderheads could be seen for hours before a single drop of rain was felt.  Towards the end of day, twilight and darkness crossed the skies, foreshadowing the adventure of the night, and, when the summer ended, snow could be seen falling far in the distance – slowly approaching, bringing the silent whiteness of a winter’s day.

It was under this panoramic theatre in the sky that the Calgary Stampede was born.  The magic of the twinkling stars sharing the sky with the brilliant explosions of fireworks portrayed the excitement of the world-renowned western adventure that calls Calgary home.  But the real magic was the concept of people of all cultures participating in the Calgary Stampede; an idea that was established on day one, and continues through to today.

In 1912 for the very first time the people of the First Nations and the people of the nations of the world who were establishing a home in Canada joined together on the streets of Calgary creating the magic that we call the Calgary Stampede.  Coming together as sisters and brothers in one family – people from the world over and the First Nations of Treaty Seven established a western tradition that is the heritage of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede and is the theme of our Grandstand Show “The Spirit of 1912.”

If This is Summer, It’s Stampede!

Every summer Calgary comes alive as the Stampede parades down the streets of our city and homes and hotels fill every room with international guests.  When that happens, the Spirit of 1912 lives on; exploding in the fun of the midway, celebrated in the traditions and ceremonies of Indian Village – bursting from the chutes of the rodeo and racing at breakneck speed in the “half mile of hell” known as the GMC Rangeland Derby.

For the 2007 edition of the Calgary Stampede Grandstand show the producers and production team have searched the world over for the perfect blend of music, spectacle, and heartfelt expression of western values in their effort to make “The
Spirit of 1912” the most memorable Stampede Grandstand Show – ever

Light Up The Night!

Reflecting the fireworks of the very first Stampede - our team of International award-winning fireworks artists have assembled special pyrotechnic materials from Spain – China – Italy and France to present a myriad of stunningly beautiful individual kaleidoscopic scenes; soaring instances of complex kinetic detail each precisely executing one of the five thousand plus fireworks cues designed to produce an atmosphere of inspiration and excitement.

Against these magnificent multi colored display of thousands of individual pyrotechnic starbursts, our show will pay tribute to the spirit of multicultural unity that was a part of the very first Stampede.  This celebration of the human spirit comes alive – as guest stars who have graced the stage of the Cirque du Soleil – and singers, dancers and musicians from across Canada join the Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede in a spectacular commemoration of western values that we call “The Spirit of 1912”.

Let The Good Times Roll!

“The Spirit of 1912” is filled with moments that will connect with everyone – “Take me to the magic of the moment - On a glory night - Where the children of tomorrow dream away - in the wind of change . . .”  just as the lyrics of a popular song suggest – “The Spirit of 1912”  will transport us into the magic of the moment – the spirit of inclusiveness that is the heart and soul of the Stampede Celebration – The First Nations history tells us that in 1912 almost 2000 native  people in full ceremonial dress created one of the most impressive elements of the first Stampede.  They had come to participate in the parade and the rodeo – to camp and visit and celebrate.

“The Sprit of 1912” evokes the true western values of the Calgary Stampede as interpreted through the youthful, enthusiastic energy of the mutual experiences of generations of Calgarians.  Drawing upon the musical heritage of the Calgary Stampede, Grandstand Show Producers have created a unique soundscape, blending the audible wonder of nature with a vivid contemporary musical score, especially written and produced for our 2007 Grandstand Show.  The custom-designed theatrical environment provided by the TransAlta Stage features clear sightline vista seating, panoramic video projections and surround sound which will envelope the audience, who will experience special effects and a dynamic range of music like never before . . .

To complete the technological presentation of “The Spirit of 1912 the $6,000,000 TransAlta stage has a complete new set constructed at Calgary’s F&D Scene Change.  This set includes a total of seven immense LED video screens each with it’s own computer driven controls and a television production control room feeding special programming to each of the screens.  There are three massive onstage elevators, a 32’ turntable, and specially built traction units to move the various scenic units around the stage. 

All of the magic of the TransAlta Stage is computer driven and programmed. Under the trained professional direction of our producer, designers and director, the cast, the music, the stories, the sets, the 1,200 specially designed costumes, the multi million dollar concert – style lighting and sound installations, and a massive fireworks display – are all flawlessly combined to create a show that is an unforgettable experience.

One Tiny Light

This year as the Calgary Stampede celebrates the Spirit of 1912, The Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede celebrate their 39th anniversary – reinforcing the Stampede’s commitment to youth and the community.  This most important scholarship – based training program is, in our view a part of the Spirit of 1912 that lives on through today, it is part of our initiative to connect with and offer relevance to every member of our hometown population.  Throughout our city and our province we want to extend the warmth of western values to each of Calgary’s many unique communities.  We are working to fulfill the Stampede’s promise – made back in 1912 – to all Calgarians, as we grow together into the 21st Century.

This Is My Home.

The finale for “The Spirit of 1912” will present our deep felt emotion for the nation of Canada, a special tribute that has long been a hallmark of the Calgary Stampede.  As we join in a chorus of “this is our home – O Canada!” we are singing a musical accolade to a nation that had its first birthday in 1867 and today stands as a leader among the countries of the world.

While fireworks burst overhead, not only are we saluting Canada and its multicultural heritage; but together we will be celebrating “The spirit of 1912” a manifestation of western values, a magical experience that joined over 2000 members of The First Nations together with people of the nations of the world who were establishing a home in Calgary at the very first Calgary Stampede – making it truly “The Greatest Outdoor show on Earth!”