In photos: Circus artists clown around with Calgary Stampede Showband

‘This maestro is a character that’s kind of bringing the magic to life, kind of imbuing magic into the whole thing’

Calgary’s Stampede Showband has returned with a circus twist this year.

On the steps of the newly expanded BMO Centre, the band has incorporated new spectacles into this year’s Sonic Circus show.

Circus artist Dean Bareham is the maestro at the centre of it all, performing a clown act throughout.

“We wanted to up the ante,” Bareham said. “It’s such a spectacle show already, but now that we have this amazing venue already, and so they really wanted to take it up a level.”

As the artistic director of Calgary’s Green Fools Theatre and Circus School, Bareham is well-versed in various circus arts, and warms up the crowd with a few tricks and audience interaction before the band enters with the deep pulse of baritone brass.

“The maestro hears it and he’s taken over by the pulse, then he pulls out a magical baton and begins the show; he brings in the musicians, he brings in the dancers and he brings in the flags,” Bareham said.

“This maestro is a character that’s kind of bringing the magic to life, kind of imbuing magic into the whole thing.”

Acting as a sort of puppet master, Bareham draws the various sections of the showband out.

Joining the clown maestro are hula hoop artists Istace and Jess performing at the centre of the band, and juggler Jason Melnychuk, who delivers a daring act juggling knives atop a rolla bolla.

“It’s just, it’s been really magical. It’s a wonderful show,” Bareham said.