How Stampede's off-grounds music festivals became their own scene

Calgary Stampede has long been an event that happens on and off the grounds. 

But since the 1990s, clubs and bars capitalizing on the electric energy in the city have been growing in popularity — often roping in acts that might skip over Calgary any other time of year. 

Music festivals, held in big white tents, have become their own rodeo circuit during the Stampede — shifting the cowboy vibe of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. 

And some observers of the music scene feel that what the city has to offer these days rivals other big-name festivals across Canada, like Bluesfest in Ottawa or Osheaga in Montreal. 

"It is Canada's premier music event," opined Greg Curtis, owner of Tooth Blackner Presents.

"I did some rough calculations — really rough, admittedly — we're coming up on 400,000 capacity for people." 

The calculations are rough because, unlike other festivals, Calgary's musical ride isn't all under one banner. He's tallying the capacity between different tent-party venues over the span of the 10-day Stampede.

According to Tourism Calgary, more than 150 artists are performing in the city at 11 different venues, many of which are off-ground festival tents.

Entertainment during Stampede started out small: think fiddlers playing on downtown street corners and, later, bands performing to crowds in bars.

Music was always around, but the acts were often viewed as something for the partiers looking to grab a beer.

A Globe and Mail article from 1972 hints that the secret to a good experience at Calgary Stampede is splitting time between the exhibition grounds and the downtown mall, hotel bars, and not-so-private clubs.

Hotels put on a country-themed front. The Calgary Inn's Sedate Lounge, for example, was renamed the Silver Slipper. Convention centres were filled with round tables so people could sit, drink beer and enjoy music. 

These parties were usually packed, with people willing to line up for hours to get inside. There are stories of executives sending their assistants to reserve seats for corporate bigwigs. 

"Oh yes, I lined up for the Golden Garter at the Westin Hotel back in the day to pay $20 to drink warm draft beer," said Wendy Daniel, marketing director of Ranchman's Cookhouse & Dancehall, one of the city's best-known country bars.