Vocal Tracks and Hydraulic Fluid

Last night was the first preview of the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show. "Alberta, A Centennial Story" is a massive Vegas style song and dance extravaganza. It is on the TransAlta Stage... which is the largest mobile stage in North America. The cast is 180 Young Canadians (singers and dancers), 180 members of the Stampede Showband, and over 60 circus performers, Lion Dancers, multicultural groups and First Nations performers. It takes place at the Grandstand in front of an audience of over 15, 000 every night.

Each night of the Stampede we juggle massive set peices up and down on 3 giant elevators, drive video screens disguised as grain elevators around the stage, fly tissue acts in the air and shoot off $150, 000 worth of fireworks.

It's fun, and it's ridiculous. My job is to be in charge of the elevator room, shuffling set peices and setting things up with performers. Our Stage Manager Deb Howard is the goddess of the show. Her grace under fire is impressive... especially last night with nasty sound playback issues and busted hydraulic hoses all round.

But, now we're open, and the fun has just begun.