Stars are lining up for 24th Calgary Dance Stampede
Fans descend on Hyatt Regency for swirl of two- steps, fashion and food
Attracting country- style dance fans from across North America for a weekend of performances and dance workshops, the Calgary Dance Stampede is pulling on its boots for the 24th year.
With more than 100 workshops that offer lessons in everything from two- step to line dancing and swing to cha- cha, attendees will be able to explore the world of country dance within the event’s 17,000- square- foot space at the Hyatt Regency from April 10- 12.
The weekend will be kicked off with a celebration of all things country at Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall, featuring free twostep and line dance lessons led by dance professionals from California and Chicago, who will both be teaching workshops at the event for the first time.
Keith Armbruster, event director of the CDS, appreciates the ways Alberta’s dance culture has grown organically over the decades.
“Country was born out of the nightclubs,” Armbruster said. “These dance styles are rooted in a social culture.”
The event will reach a climax with the Campfire Ball Dinner and Fashion Show on Saturday, April 11, where attendees will be presented with a four- star dinner from the Hyatt’s chefs, a variety show featuring performances from local and international professionals, and a western wear fashion show.
Additionally, the Young Canadians will perform a preview of the dances that will be included in their Calgary Stampede grandstand shows.
Heather Kyle, owner of Swanky Shanks — a Calgary fashion outlet that specializes in repurposing western- style clothing — will be providing many of her designs to be featured in the fashion show.
“The Dance Stampede is like watching Dancing With the Stars, only it’s all country music,” Kyle said, adding that since the weekend’s workshops are open to dancers of all experience levels, “even beginners can feel like winners.”
Founded in 1992, the CDS has expanded exponentially since its first event at the Coast Plaza Hotel. For this year’s event, Armbruster expects an audience of at least 450 for the weekend and more than 600 for the Campfire Ball.
In his 10th year with the CDS, Armbruster views members of the local dance community as family.
“While our dancers take the competition seriously, they are also social and involved in the local scene,” Armbruster said. “The ( CDS) is a way to showcase the versatility of Calgary’s culture.”
While she will be leading workshops on east coast swing dance throughout the weekend, Deborah Szekely — a member of the World Swing Dance Hall of Fame and a resident of Texas — is excited to go curling for the first time with many of the event’s instructors and staff.
“I’ve been watching YouTube videos all week on how to get the proper technique,” she said. “It will be a great way to say thank you.”