| Once upon a time, The Who played the Stampede. Around the time of Woodstock and at the height of their fame, one of rock ’n’ roll’s most influential bands somehow found time to stop here. Occasionally, such a band might make it worth suffering the obnoxious drunks, the hepped-up carnies and the smell of thousands of roasting hot dogs that characterize the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. However, for those who want to avoid Calgary’s cowboy fest, there’s plenty of good music and enjoyable nightlife to check out away from the Stampede grounds during those 10 crazy days in July.
While the Coca-Cola stage might get a lot of attention during Stampede, smaller shows abound as a refuge from the onslaught of big-name acts. The Castle Pub (1217 1 Street S.W.) is hosting Fuck the Stampede! on Saturday, July 7. Dry Fisted, a punchy local hardcore band, is headlining, with folk-punk singer Spencer Jo and Nelson rockers Ravenhead rounding out the lineup. The following weekend (July 14), The Distillery (839 5 Avenue S.W.) hosts grind band I Die Screaming and ska-punk kids Class Action, whose lefty politics will be a welcome break from the conservative consumerism of the Stampede.
In contrast to the troop of mainstream bands at the grounds, Edmonton rockers Ten Second Epic are many things a good indie band should be – honest, catchy and lyrically adept. They’re playing a gig at the Underground on Wednesday, July 12, and in contrast to the Stampede’s bigger-is-better ethos, the show is sure to be intimate. The venue itself is a loveably grungy basement that doesn’t attract many cowboy types and is located just far enough away from the grounds that you might forget the Stampede is even happening.
While some bars go all-out in embracing the "Stampede spirit," a few watering holes save the hay bales for the horses and the whips for the dungeon, and ride out the duration of the event with unaltered food and drink menus. If you’re sick of the bathtub-sized quantities of Budweiser that get distributed at the Stampede, the Hop In Brew Pub House (213 12 Avenue S.W.) offers a great selection of local and regional beers, plus friendly barkeeps and good pub grub. Unlike the dance party atmosphere of most downtown nightclubs during Stampede, the Hop maintains a laid-back atmosphere, where indie rock prevails over mainstream country and good conversation is more abundant than skanky dancing.
If you want to avoid the bar scene altogether, check out the Haymarket Café and Bookstore (1101 MacLeod Trail S.E.), a hole-in-the-wall joint across the tracks from the grounds. Owned and operated by a co-operative of workers, the café is a regular venue for all-ages shows and the occasional movie screening. Since getting booted by their landlord last month (they have to move by July 31 so the land can be redeveloped), Haymarket has been raising money to acquire a new space. Giving the café a call at 234-0260 is the best way to find out what’s on each night during the Stampede.
It’s possible to make it through Stampede without visiting the grounds or bumping up against a pair of wranglers on the dance floor. Not to say that Stampede isn’t fun – the lit-up, night-time midway is pretty cool; mini-donuts and kitschy haunted houses hold a certain nostalgia; and some of the stomach-churning rides are good for a thrill. However, for those of us who’ve grown up in this town, visiting the carnival every year since we were born, The Who thing has lost its lustre. And you’re more likely to catch the next Who somewhere other than the grounds. |
Copyright ©2007 FFWD. All rights reserved.