New High Performance Rodeo production takes audience on immersive sound journey

Calgarians are invited to immerse themselves in a transcendent sound journey as part of a new production at Ghost River Theatre.

Echoes of the Land is a presentation from the production company and One Yellow Rabbit as part of the 39 annual High Performance Rodeo.

It’s inspired by the healing power of sound baths, and encourages audience members to reflect on their relationship with the land.

“What people will experience is something that they’ve never probably done before,” said Eric Rose, artistic director.

“They’re going to lie down on the floor – or sit for people who need more support – but they can literally be bathed in the music and sound and poetry.”

Rose says it’s designed to help people reflect and heal.

“They get to feel the vibration,” he said. “Because sound isn’t just about what you hear, it’s how you feel it.”

“The first sound we hear is the heartbeat right, and the drum is like this kind of beautiful heartbeat of music and energy.”

The production features two grandfather drums, which are typically used at powwows and played by four to 15 drummers.

Traditional drummer and knowledge keeper Skip Wolfleg says he learned how to play the drums from his father and uncle when he was 11 years old.

“When people hear the (Grandfather Drum) for the first time with about 12 or 15 guys around it all singing the same song, the same rhythm, they can feel the power,” said Wolfleg.

“Sometimes, they’re taken aback by it but eventually once they figure it out, they’re like, ‘Wow.’”

The second drum in the production is played by Cedric Lightning.

“The whole idea of music is pretty unified,” he said. “How we do things, they’re all about having a good beat, a good rhythm and a good sound. I guess you could say our whole bodies are meant to accept all this.”

Wolfleg and Lightning will be joined on stage by spoken word poet Alanna Bluebird, Calgary-based musicians/songwriters Kris Demeanor and Kenna Burima and sound designer Tauran Wood.

“I’ve been a professional musician for 25 years, and this collaboration has blown apart so much of what I felt I knew about music,” said Burmia. “It’s been extremely humbling to engage with music in a way that puts sound and intention first before any other system of what music is supposed to be.

“I’ve done a lot of things in my life, toured the world, been in studios and this is absolutely, a singular experience for me.”

To add to the audience experience, the musicians are positioned in a semicircle, creating an open space in the centre of the venue, and audience members are encouraged to bring yoga mats or blankets to lie down on for the performance.

The production runs from Jan. 16 – 25 at West Village Theatre.