While the competition is at the core of ARGRA’s annual Rodeo, one of the things that makes it the largest LGBT Community spectacle of the year is that it envelops so much more than that:
Dance Your Boots Off
After looking at the schedule for the weekend, the only way they could fit in more dances and entertainers would be if they added a day to the rodeo. One of the big opportunities has been the Showboat Stage – an outdoor stage set up at the heart of the midway. Judy Munson, ARGRA Communications Director told us the plan for this area: "...we’re trying to make it more of a festival atmosphere... So for the people who don’t want to go to the rodeo (events) there’s something for them to watch."
Thursday, June 30th on the Showboat Stage, keep an eye out for the big Alberta Drag Show. At this point, it’s still coming together, but the rodeo is hoping to have representatives from both Edmonton and Calgary onstage, along with a local helping of Drag Kings.
That evening, Dynamic DJ Rob will get the energy of the weekend started with the CRIR Rodeo Weekend Kick-Off Dance.
On Friday, it’s a full day for the Showboat Stage. Starting at 1pm, musician Connor James returns to the CRIR after being warmly welcomed last year. He’s followed at 3pm by a very interesting performer. "We are very lucky to have...Rae Spoon, the first Transgender Country Singer in the World," Judy mentions. Rae will performing some old and new tunes from his current album.
Later that afternoon, if you’ve heard local singer Toni Vere, you’ll be pleased to know she will be performing with two other talented singers – Ann Bishop and Carla Olive – as their band, Hashmagandy. They’ll be doing what they do best: performing a very enjoyable brand of country-ish, bluesy, folky music.
That evening, you have a choice of TWO parties. The Dance Hall will feature the Country Cabaret from 7pm to 2am. You’ll be able to dance to the music of Gypsy & the Rose plus special guests Lisa Dodd and Mark Lorenz.
Attendees who aren’t huge country fans can head over to the Strobelite Barn. From 9pm to 2am you can dance to the Dirty Electric Hoedown, featuring FOUR local DJ’s: Gold Star, Jay Fraid, Rollin Dolan, and JDub.
On Saturday, if you’re not taking in the rodeo events, the theme at the Showboat Stage seems to be "Beautiful Singers". At 1pm, returning to the rodeo is Lauren Mayell: Pure Country - a three-piece country band based out of Calgary. Later at 4pm there’s eye-candy for the women and the men when the local duo, Boy&Gurl play a two hour set.
If you want to get warmed up before the big dance, early Saturday evening the CRIR is having a Tea Dance featuring DJs Goldstar, Jay Fraid, Rollin Dolan and JDub. Then, at the main event in the Dance Hall, DJ Rob plays for the biggest dance of the Rodeo weekend - over a thousand cowboys and cowgirls grooving to the beat.
For those able to pull themselves out of bed for the breakfast Sunday morning, you will be serenaded by Connor James from 8 until 9am (then again from 1 to 3pm). Breakfast entertainment makes a welcome return to the rodeo, Judy tells us: the plan is to have performances Saturday and Sunday during the breakfasts. This was something they used to do years ago, and they found it really added to the morning atmosphere.
Finally, as you wander the midway grounds, don’t be afraid if you run into a mad doctor or a very unhelpful information lady. Heather D Swain is an artist who has performed on both sides of the pond but who hails from Edmonton. She’ll be doing her street theatre characters around the grounds for your entertainment.
Rodeo Refueling
Between all this partying, you will need to eat, and this year there will be a wide assortment of options. There are old favourites you would expect at any rodeo/carnival: popcorn, cotton candy, mini-doughnuts, hot dogs, slushies, fried chicken, and ice cream.
Yet, as Judy adds, "I think there is a lot of new stuff this year". Look for items like Asian stir fry, Greek wraps, pizza cones, and poutine, along with premium food items such as chili cheeseburgers, salmon burgers, veggie burgers, bratwursts on a bun, "tattie scones" (i.e. potato onion pancakes) and salt potatoes.
Around the Midway
In years past - says Judy - they’ve had to find a balance between what some retailers wanted to display, and what was appropriate for families to see. This year, "...we have a ‘red-light’ district...it’s for some of the retailers who have a little more adult product." With this new area, retailers showcase merchandise for a mature audience without the concern of potentially offending anyone. ARGRA is expecting traffic to be higher in this area both day and night due to its very theme.
Of course, with all these vendors, you’d like to know where to go. "We’re working to have a really cool map to show where everything is." This map is included in ARGRA’s June insert in this magazine, however it may not be on ARGRA’s website until later this month. This new map will show how they’ve designed this year’s rodeo grounds so everything is close to all the other areas on the midway.
Additionally, you’ll see fire pits in the midway area where you can relax, hang with friends and even cook marshmallows. The midway will have a theme and a ghost town area along with all the retail and food vendors, the GayCalgary & Edmonton Community Carnival and the Town Hall. As well, returning for the fifth year in a row is the largest Gay Art Display in Western Canada.
The Rodeo Part
ARGRA wasn’t going to change any rodeo events unless they could make them better, and so far the only minor alteration for this year is to the Team Challenge. They are allowing the teams to be smaller (a minimum of 4 participants), and team selection is open to anyone: bars, or businesses, or even just a group of friends.
ARGRA is strongly encouraging people to sign up, and wants people to know the event is not just to build sportsmanship and spirit, but also to give new competitors a support network. Newbies may be teamed up with rodeo veterans. Judy hopes for new competitors to have numerous other people they can turn to for advice.
People interested in competing are encouraged to contact Lori at horseclub@ARGRA.org. She will meet with the teams and help them set up for the event.
Also, sponsoring a team is a great opportunity for a business to receive recognition throughout the weekend. "A business can be as involved as they want. They can buy their shirts, they can add a little money or they can just say let’s get together and do a team - it doesn’t have to cost them anything."
If some of the team contestants want extra help, returning for a second year on Friday July 1st will be the rodeo school. The school will instruct people on Calf Roping on Foot, Steer Decorating, Chute Dogging and Jr. Bull Riding. "We’ve got great instructors that will help them and it’s really cheap (the cost is $25/person per event). They get all kinds of help and they get to practise on the live animals."
Once again, registration for the rodeo school can be done through the ARGRA website.
Furthermore, Judy mentions there will be some community recognition. Purple ribbons will be on sale as a fundraiser for the Trevor Project. "Our first day...all the IGRA rodeos...are dedicated to the Trevor Project and It Gets Better. So we’re encouraging teams to wear a purple shirt on the first day or to buy purple ribbons."
Finally, a great way to save money and not be fumbling for your wallet as frequently is to purchase advance ticket packages. Even though the advance discount ended May 31st, you can still purchase tickets online from ARGRA’s website up until Monday June 27th. After that point you will have to buy them at the rodeo gate.
"The packages we talked about in the last article (in May), people are really grabbing hold of the Full Bull package," remarks Judy, about the all inclusive package. Perhaps the reason sales are going so well is because there’s a lot more people who realize for all the entertainment options available, it’s an incredible deal, and a great way to celebrate the Canada Day weekend.