Calgary Stampede Casino

[Ice]

There's a show being played there in August and I was wondering what the facility is like. I have some friends who are thinking of making the drive from Seattle to be at the concert. The first two Canadian shows got a bit out of hand with drunken people climbing on stage and knocking over the band members guitars and inattentive security. Is that likely to be a situation that could happen at the Calgary Stampede Casino?

[4X4]

From what I understand, being a concert attendee can get you killed!

[Ice]

What if these attendees are not Christians or liberals?

But seriously, to make a trek that far, is the place a dump...or dangerous?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Ice

What if these attendees are not Christians or liberals?

But seriously, to make a trek that far, is the place a dump...or dangerous?

The Stampede area is pretty clean. It borders on a former crack-whore breeding ground, but that's pretty much not the case anymore.
It also borders 17th ave at the base of one of the only strips in Calgary. Plenty of places to enjoy the rest of the night.

The casino? Hmmm... I don't really do casinos so I can't tell you much about it other than if it's owned by the Stampede, it's likely in good shape and up to snuff on things like security.

[prarieboy]

I haven't been to the "NEW" Stampede Casino. The old one in the Big Four never had bands before so for what it's worth your looking at a brand new building that's probably pretty nice. Calgary is not like many big cities in that you can go pretty much anywhere and not get into trouble.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I actually snuck into the Nazareth show there on Thursday night.
The Casino is pretty nice and they've got a decently sized theater there for shows.
It's a pretty small venue so if it's a good band, it'll probably be an enjoyable show.

[Barnes]

Well here are the bands that are playing in August. Lets guess whose fans would get out of control on a scale of 1 - 10

SMOTHERS BROTHERS
01-Aug-08
-Surprised these guys are still alive. Their fans are older than dirt. Chance of Rioting: 2

THE CALLING
08-Aug-08
-This band is Creed, right? Riot may ensue due to sheer suckiness. Chance of Rioting: 5

CHERRY POPPIN DADDIES
9-Aug-08
-Swing dancing could lead to bumping into someone else's dance partner or fedora stomping. High probability of fist fights. Riot unlikely. Chance of Rioting: 3

EDWIN
15-Aug-08
A riot would have to have more than 10 people. Chance of Rioting: 0

JUNKHOUSE
16-Aug-08
Awesome. They're still touring. Chance of Rioting: Who cares. it would be worth it.

VANILLA ICE
22-Aug-08
Does this guy live in Calgary or something? Chance of Rioting: 6. Chance of multiple popped collars: 10

JEFF MARTIN OF THE TEA PARTY
23-Aug-08
Chance of Rioting: N/A

WIDE MOUTH MASON AND TUPELO HONEY
29-Aug-08
Chance of Rioting: 1

SPIRIT OF THE WEST
30-Aug-08
Lots of beer, dancing and singing at this one. Overall feeling will be cheerful as long as their is plenty of Keiths. Chance of Rioting: 7

I am gonna go with Spirit of the West.

[Claeren]

The casino is a brand new facility and is quite nice for what it is (a mid-sized Canadian urban casino)!?

http://www.stampedecasino.com/


I have been in the concert area and it is nice enough I guess? Obviously brand new, and would likely be quite intimate as it is fairly small (in a good way)?

The area around there is not bad at all either. Like 10 years ago sure, but when your 'neighbours' are a bunch of millionaires in million dollar condos (Arriva) then how bad can it be?? There is more new tower contruction than anything, although Critical MAss (one of the worlds leading web design firms) has their head office a block away and there are now a number of interesting stops including two Italian Restaurants, a Vietnamese Noodle place in the casino itself (with a patio onto the street) and a great wine store. Cowboys Night Club is also 1 block north.

It is a bit... empty, in the 3-4 blocks between the Casino/Stampede area and the rest of downtown but otherwise I see no areas for concern if it is a concert you really want to see. And i imagine security at a casino is going to be higher than at an average club/bar?


If you need a place to stay Hotel Arts is just down the street and is very nice? Might be pricey for you though? I cannot think of a better place for a couple of guys coming up for a concert in that area and some Calgary night life though?

http://www.hotelarts.ca/about.php




Claeren.

[StoneCole]

From someone who's actually been to the concert venue:

-definitely not my favorite venue for a concert but it's the act that matters right?
-it's wider than it is long, kind of split into three sections facing the stage:

\ l /
\ l /
\ l /
\ l /
STAGE

^^^like that but more wide than long.

-there's a couple hundred folding chairs (not attached to the floor) in each of the three sections
-there's probably room for a good couple (2ish) thousand people in there
-the stage seems pretty open
-the standing area directly in front of the stage is fairly small compared with some venues (the folding chairs sneak up on the stage pretty quick)

...so for a rowdy concert:

open stage + folding chairs means it probably isn't the best venue hahaha.

Pretty discouraging review from me above...I say phoque it though, just go to the show.

As far as reviews of the surrounding area, the ones above are pretty accurate. Victoria Park used to be a place to be avoided except on game nights, but with the new casino and Cowboys and all the condos it's becoming a pretty busy place.

ohhh...SHOW UP ON TIME...WHEN I WENT THERE WAS NO OPENING ACT...I THINK DOORS FOR ALL THESE SHOWS ARE AT 6 AND THE SHOW STARTS AT 9...JUST MAKE SURE TO BE THERE A BIT BEFORE 9.

[Ice]

I like Alex Band (formerly of The Calling)

He has nothing to do with Creed.

[StoneCole]

Originally Posted by Ice

I like Alex Band (formerly of The Calling)

He has nothing to do with Creed.

I like Robyn Regehr (formerly of the Kamloops Blazers)

[JBR]

Originally Posted by Barnes

VANILLA ICE
22-Aug-08
Does this guy live in Calgary or something? Chance of Rioting: 6. Chance of multiple popped collars: 10

I heard that Vanilla Ice and Bo Jackson were touring together. They call their group...

Artificial Hip...

[4X4]

Originally Posted by JBR

I heard that Vanilla Ice and Bo Jackson were touring together. They call their group...

Artificial Hip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp-is6S_b_g