As Calgary’s longest-running festival of its kind, the High Performance Rodeo continues to redefine the boundaries of live performance with its fearless embrace of the unconventional. The festival invites audiences to step outside their comfort zones and experience works that are raw, surprising, and thought-provoking. From deeply personal solo performances to bold interdisciplinary collaborations, the festival fosters a spirit of creative risk-taking that celebrates diverse stories and perspectives.
This year, one of the most highly anticipated new productions is Echoes of the Land by Ghost River Theatre. This immersive and meditative experience invites audiences to connect with the land through sound, music, and storytelling.
“We restored some long-term collaborations with a few companies that we haven’t worked with in a while,” says festival producer Oliver Armstrong. “One is Ghost River Theatre, with a beautiful show called Echoes of the Land. I call that show a bit more experimental than some of the other work because it is a sound immersion-type experience. It’s not a narrative play.”
Through the collaborative efforts of Ghost River artistic director Eric Rose and Stoney Nakoda drummer and vocalist Cedrik Lightning and others, Echoes of the Land transforms the stage into a living canvas of sound and story.
This immersive performance intertwines powerful narratives, drawing inspiration from the histories of the people who have shaped the land and the landscapes that continue to define them.
“Echoes of the Land isn’t just a performance — it’s an experience,” says Rose. “We wanted to create something that resonates deeply, not just with the ears but with the heart and spirit. It’s about honouring the stories embedded in the land and inviting the audience to connect with them on a visceral level.”
The performance, described as a “sonic ritual and artistic meditation,” aims to leave participants refreshed and grounded.
Rose says that Echoes of the Land provides a restorative space for people to recharge and connect through sound and vibration. Ghost River encourages audience members to bring a sleeping bag or yoga mat, lie down, and immerse themselves in the meditative sound journey.
“What we’re doing is creating sound and music inspired by the rivers, grasslands, foothills, and mountains — our shared natural world and the greater universe,” says Rose. “It’s an experience for people to come as they are and take what they need.”
At the heart of Echoes of the Land is Cedrik Lightning, whose voice and story form the emotional core of the performance. For Lightning, singing has always been a source of healing and reconnection. Reflecting on his own journey, including time spent in group homes, he shares how this connection has guided his life.
“I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” he says. “It’s a release — it helped me feel grounded and reminded me where home really is.”
Lightning brings a profound spirituality to the performance, channelling a timeless respect for the land into his artistry. Drawing on his own healing journey, he highlights the importance of fostering awareness of Treaty 7 and cultivating a shared appreciation for the land’s significance.
“What I want people to understand is our love for this land,” says Lightning. “And that we can all love it together and apart.”
