Cochrane performers are front and centre in this year’s Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show, entertaining nightly crowds of 20,000 through Sunday.
Glenn Watts, one of the last modern square dance callers in Alberta, and 19-year-old fiddler Katerina Rose are featured alongside 16 square dancers from across southern Alberta and 16 Young Canadians in a high-energy, two-song performance.
Watts, who was one of the original generations of Young Canadians 40 years ago, said the show’s producer agreed to include the 10-minute number to highlight that modern square dancing is still alive and well.
“This is by far the biggest audience my dancers have ever performed in front of,” said Watts. “The stadium holds 20,000 people a night, and it always draws a huge crowd.”
The square dancers range in age from their late 20s to late 70s and are all volunteers. They began preparing in February and wrapped up rehearsals just days before the opening night on July 4.
The performance features traditional square dance moves set to modern country hits — The Devil Went Down to Georgia and Achy Breaky Heart.
Rose, who Watts calls a violin prodigy, is a live performer on stage. A former member of the Calgary Fiddlers, the 19-year-old musician thrives in the energy of large audiences.
“Doing gigs all over with the Calgary Fiddlers, I love how loud it gets,” said Rose. “It’s really cool to play right in front of so many people and see them cheering for you.”
She spent two months crafting harmonies for the Charlie Daniels classic and composed her own segment for Achy Breaky Heart.
“It took a bit of time and a lot of work, but it turned out awesome. It’s really exciting to play.”
Rose also performs in occasional Celtic and folk bands and hopes to break into the country music scene.
“I love country music. My dream is to be a singer-songwriter, to sing and play fiddle on my own songs.”
Could there be a future performance on 91.5 FM CochraneNow? Time will tell.