High Performance Rodeo's Final Week Features Virtuoso Solo Performances
As the curtain prepares to fall on One Yellow Rabbit's High Performance Rodeo, the festival's final week promises an extraordinary collection of solo performances that festival producer Oliver Armstrong describes as featuring "virtuosos and visionaries who make us laugh, ache, and lean forward in our seats." This diverse lineup showcases some of Canada's most innovative performing artists alongside international talent, creating a compelling conclusion to Calgary's premier contemporary performance festival.
Daniel MacIvor's Grief-Tinged World Premiere
Leading the final week is Canada's foremost monologuist Daniel MacIvor, who brings his newest solo show Your Show Here to the Big Secret Theatre from January 28-31. This production marks a significant moment in MacIvor's career as his first show without longtime collaborator Daniel Brooks, resulting in what Armstrong calls "a world premiere that the Rodeo is particularly excited and grateful to present."
The 65-minute drama explores an airport parking lot and an absent concierge while serving as a primer on creating solo performances. MacIvor describes the work as examining grief from every angle—"funny, painful and deeply human"—promising audiences an emotionally resonant theatrical experience that reflects both artistic innovation and personal transformation.
Contemporary Calgary Hosts Compelling Solo Works
At Contemporary Calgary's Heather Edwards Theatre, two distinct solo shows offer contrasting perspectives on personal narratives. Deanna Jones presents A Brief History of Smoking Cigarettes on January 27, 29, and 31, with Armstrong describing the production as "wickedly funny and satirical" while exploring one person's lifelong relationship with nicotine, memory, and self-destruction.
Sharing the same venue, Shenoah Allen brings his hybrid theatre and standup routine Bloodlust Summertime on January 28 and 30. Armstrong notes that Allen's coming-of-age story is both "messy and magical" with crazy family memories that flip the script on traditional family drama, featuring people and stories that are anything but typical.
International Talent and Musical Collaborations
From New York comes Kevin Augustine's Body Concert, a 50-minute wordless solo act that merges dance and puppetry in the Vertigo Studio Theatre from January 28-31. Augustine manipulates puppets with his hands, feet, and legs to Mark Bruckner's music in what Armstrong calls "pure genius" that reaches audiences viscerally. This internationally touring production represents a significant coup for the festival.
For one exclusive performance on January 30 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Alberta's own international superstar Vivek Shraya joins the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Shraya promises to channel pop culture's greatest artists with full orchestral support, creating a unique musical experience that bridges contemporary and classical traditions.
Youth Performance with Historical Significance
Rounding out the final week is New Blood at the Grand's Flanagan Theatre on January 30, featuring Strathcona High School students in what Armstrong describes as "a vibrant, high-energy night of solo and group performances." This moving musical extravaganza incorporates hip-hop beats and contemporary flow as students express, heal, and imagine a future rooted in respect and reconciliation.
The production features Peter Gabriel's music while telling the heartbreaking yet inspiring story of Siksika First Nation Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman, exploring his residential school experience and subsequent reclamation of his cultural identity and leadership role. This performance represents the festival's commitment to diverse voices and important historical narratives, creating a powerful conclusion to this year's High Performance Rodeo.
