Okotoks has a strong contingent of youth performers in the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
The Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, which performs in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show, features Okotoks teens Hadley Janssen, Cleavon Abree Laquibla, Natallii Bencharski, Nash Bencharski, Taylor Atkinson, Felicia Jackson, Jack Leathwaite and Maya Pawlick.
“To be a part of a show so big, the energy and everything you receive from the choreography team and audience is nothing you’ll be able to find anywhere,” said Atkinson, who has been with the Young Canadians for five years running.
“You grow with the people as you move from company to company, and you create a stronger bond and want to make sure everybody else in the company has the same feeling.”
The school has been featured in the Grandstand Show since 1968, and is comprised of over 100 youth ages eight to 21 from the region, providing performance training, vocal instruction, ballet, jazz, tap, and acrobatics.
They have been rehearsing for the production since April, featuring a collaboration with the Swing Latino dance troupe.
“We started very early on which is very exciting,” Atkinson said. “We have an amazing dance group they’ve brought in, and they bring so much energy, that just inspires you to match their energy level.”
Recently signing on for her first season is Laquibla, who said she felt that welcoming spirit and hopes to inspire others as she once was.
“It feels very comforting, being welcomed in this great big community who have the same talents as you. It feels amazing,” Laquibla said.
“It feels like a very big achievement, being able to feel like you’re very inspiring to other people watching this show, and being able to inspire young people and show them you can be a big person in the community."
In addition to the Young Canadians, the show features Swing Latino, the Calgary Opera, Ukrainian slackwire diva Tetiana, performer Forrest McClendon, and is headlined by JUNO Award-winning entertainer Johnny Reid, capped off by the fireworks show.
For more information visit calgarystampede.com.
https://www./stampede/shows/evening/grandstand-show
