Latest news with #StampedeMela
Calgary Herald
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
South Asian musical acts ready to take the Confluence stage tonight
A voice erupts from a speaker beside a stage on Friday afternoon: 'Let's go!' Article content Except there's nobody, save for workers in neon vests toiling away at erecting barricades at the grounds of the Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, previously known as Fort Calgary. Article content Article content Cushions lay strewn behind the barricades. Poles with curtains beat against the wind. A forklift carries logs to a tent as a few men give directions to other workers. Soon, these arrangements will come alive in the next few hours, for an event that is the first of its kind. Article content Article content Dubbed the Stampede Mela — the latter of which stands for a fair in Hindi — the festival will feature a range of South Asian voices who will give a taste of their culture in different art forms. Article content 'With all the moving parts, it's definitely stressful, right?' said Jas Toor, the co-organizer of the festival. 'Because you've got to make sure that when people come here, they have a good time.' Article content Article content The event boasts a variety of artists, ranging from Chani and Moga, known for their traditional Punjabi music, to South Asian rapper AR Paisley; to DJ Intense, who has worked with big names in the Bollywood industry; to a mentalist with the stage name Anmol Magic. Article content Despite taking up such a responsibility for the first time, Toor knew a section of the market craved a cultural festival. He discovered that unexpectedly, when he and his co-organizer Amar Duhra hosted an indoor party featuring a few artists last year as part of a promotion for a cannabis company. Article content Article content The cannabis company never took off, but Toor said he was pleasantly surprised to see the nightclub party surpass his expectations by nearly three times the expected attendance. Article content 'It was pretty crazy in there,' Toor said. 'That's when we realized we can't really do this indoors.' Article content According to the 2021 census, the South Asian population in Calgary is 141,000, a number that has reportedly grown as the city received an influx of migrants in 2023. With more than a million visitors to Stampede, a significant portion comprises South Asian people, who Toor said are starved of an event that celebrates their culture.
Global News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
‘Cultures mixed together': South Asian music festival filling gap during Stampede
For those who don't necessarily want to kick up their cowboy boots at the Calgary Stampede, there's Stampede Mela. It bills itself as the largest 18+ South Asian music festival in North America and begins Friday at Fort Calgary, not far from the midway ferris wheel of the Stampede itself. 'Probably about four or five years ago, we actually decided that we wanted to do something in the South Asian music space in Calgary because Stampede has become quite a big music festival scene,' organizer Amar Duhra said in an interview. 'Our goal was to bring some representation from the South Asian community. 'We want to bring a more multicultural approach to the Stampede instead of the usual rodeo-style country music.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We want to bring a more multicultural approach to the Stampede instead of the usual rodeo-style country music." 5:11 A look back at the history of the Calgary Stampede Duhra came up with the concept with friend Jas Toor. Story continues below advertisement The pair held an indoor festival last year with a few bands and 2,000 people attending. This year, it is outdoors. There are 22 artists and the goal is 5,000 attendees. About 3,000 tickets have already been sold. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The city's demographics has a very large South Asian population and there's really no product for those type of people or other types of population at all really,' said Toor. 'It kind of just snowballed over the course of months and grew a lot bigger than we really anticipated.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It kind of just snowballed over the course of months and grew a lot bigger than we really anticipated." There won't be violins or steel guitars at Mela. The music is bhangra, originating from the Punjab region. It relies on a heavy beat from a double-sided drum called a dhol. As it has progressed, it has been remixed with hip hop, known as folk hop, and rap music. 'A lot of the stuff is done electronically now,' Duhra said. 'Drum and bass sounds are really, really heavy in Indian music.' 2:08 Beating the heat at the Calgary Stampede About half the visitors are from Calgary's South Asian community. Others attending are coming to Calgary from Edmonton, Vancouver, California, Seattle and Miami. Story continues below advertisement Duhra said the festival is not meant to take away from the Calgary Stampede. He and Toor grew up in Calgary and are proud of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth – it's just meant to fill a void. 'For us, it's not a competition in the sense that we're trying to steal people from other shows,' he said. 'Actually, we're just very proud of our culture. 'We're very proud from where we come from. We know that there's a big population there and we want it to be represented.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're very proud from where we come from. We know that there's a big population there and we want it to be represented." Toor fully expects that there will be plenty of attendees dressed in cowboy hats and boots, but that instead of pancakes, they should expect something more traditional, such as samosas. 'I don't think you could divorce the actual point of what happens during Stampede with everything that goes on at that time. I think it's a good thing to have the cultures mixed together.' 2:24 Residents living near Cowboys Music Festival upset over late night noise Most of the acts are Canadian. Sultaan, a Punjabi musician known to be a big contributor to Punjabi rap music, is from Moose Jaw, Sask. Story continues below advertisement Other acts include Chani Nattan, Ar Paisley, Inderpal Moga, BK, OG Ghuman, Intense, Big Ghuman, Mohitveer, Jay Trak, Bhalwaan, HRJXT, G Funk, A4, Gmafia, Signature By SB, Cheema, 4MXN, Shally Rehal, Gav, Yuvy, Kanda Music, Indus, and DJ Jazzy Hans.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Cultures mixed together': South Asian music festival filling gap during Stampede
Amar Duhra, left, and Jas Toor in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Duhra and Toor have organized North America's largest outdoor South Asian music festival, Stampede Mela. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh CALGARY — For those who don't necessarily want to kick up their cowboy boots at the Calgary Stampede, there's Stampede Mela. It bills itself as the largest 18+ South Asian music festival in North America and begins Friday at Fort Calgary, not far from the midway ferris wheel of the Stampede itself. 'Probably about four or five years ago, we actually decided that we wanted to do something in the South Asian music space in Calgary because Stampede has become quite a big music festival scene,' organizer Amar Duhra said in an interview. 'Our goal was to bring some representation from the South Asian community. 'We want to bring a more multicultural approach to the Stampede instead of the usual rodeo-style country music.' Duhra came up with the concept with friend Jas Toor. The pair held an indoor festival last year with a few bands and 2,000 people attending. This year, it is outdoors. There are 22 artists and the goal is 5,000 attendees. About 3,000 tickets have already been sold. 'The city's demographics has a very large South Asian population and there's really no product for those type of people or other types of population at all really,' said Toor. 'It kind of just snowballed over the course of months and grew a lot bigger than we really anticipated.' There won't be violins or steel guitars at Mela. The music is bhangra, originating from the Punjab region. It relies on a heavy beat from a double-sided drum called a dhol. As it has progressed, it has been remixed with hip hop, known as folk hop, and rap music. 'A lot of the stuff is done electronically now,' Duhra said. 'Drum and bass sounds are really, really heavy in Indian music.' About half the visitors are from Calgary's South Asian community. Others attending are coming to Calgary from Edmonton, Vancouver, California, Seattle and Miami. Duhra said the festival is not meant to take away from the Calgary Stampede. He and Toor grew up in Calgary and are proud of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth — it's just meant to fill a void. 'For us, it's not a competition in the sense that we're trying to steal people from other shows,' he said. 'Actually, we're just very proud of our culture. 'We're very proud from where we come from. We know that there's a big population there and we want it to be represented.' Toor fully expects that there will be plenty of attendees dressed in cowboy hats and boots, but that instead of pancakes, they should expect something more traditional, such as samosas. 'I don't think you could divorce the actual point of what happens during Stampede with everything that goes on at that time. I think it's a good thing to have the cultures mixed together.' Most of the acts are Canadian. Sultaan, a Punjabi musician known to be a big contributor to Punjabi rap music, is from Moose Jaw, Sask. Other acts include Chani Nattan, Ar Paisley, Inderpal Moga, BK, OG Ghuman, Intense, Big Ghuman, Mohitveer, Jay Trak, Bhalwaan, HRJXT, G Funk, A4, Gmafia, Signature By SB, Cheema, 4MXN, Shally Rehal, Gav, Yuvy, Kanda Music, Indus, and DJ Jazzy Hans. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025. Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Cultures mixed together': South Asian music festival filling gap during Stampede
CALGARY - For those who don't necessarily want to kick up their cowboy boots at the Calgary Stampede, there's Stampede Mela. It bills itself as the largest 18+ South Asian music festival in North America and begins Friday at Fort Calgary, not far from the midway ferris wheel of the Stampede itself. 'Probably about four or five years ago, we actually decided that we wanted to do something in the South Asian music space in Calgary because Stampede has become quite a big music festival scene,' organizer Amar Duhra said in an interview. 'Our goal was to bring some representation from the South Asian community. 'We want to bring a more multicultural approach to the Stampede instead of the usual rodeo-style country music.' Duhra came up with the concept with friend Jas Toor. The pair held an indoor festival last year with a few bands and 2,000 people attending. This year, it is outdoors. There are 22 artists and the goal is 5,000 attendees. About 3,000 tickets have already been sold. 'The city's demographics has a very large South Asian population and there's really no product for those type of people or other types of population at all really,' said Toor. 'It kind of just snowballed over the course of months and grew a lot bigger than we really anticipated.' There won't be violins or steel guitars at Mela. The music is bhangra, originating from the Punjab region. It relies on a heavy beat from a double-sided drum called a dhol. As it has progressed, it has been remixed with hip hop, known as folk hop, and rap music. 'A lot of the stuff is done electronically now,' Duhra said. 'Drum and bass sounds are really, really heavy in Indian music.' About half the visitors are from Calgary's South Asian community. Others attending are coming to Calgary from Edmonton, Vancouver, California, Seattle and Miami. Duhra said the festival is not meant to take away from the Calgary Stampede. He and Toor grew up in Calgary and are proud of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth — it's just meant to fill a void. 'For us, it's not a competition in the sense that we're trying to steal people from other shows,' he said. 'Actually, we're just very proud of our culture. 'We're very proud from where we come from. We know that there's a big population there and we want it to be represented.' Toor fully expects that there will be plenty of attendees dressed in cowboy hats and boots, but that instead of pancakes, they should expect something more traditional, such as samosas. 'I don't think you could divorce the actual point of what happens during Stampede with everything that goes on at that time. I think it's a good thing to have the cultures mixed together.' Most of the acts are Canadian. Sultaan, a Punjabi musician known to be a big contributor to Punjabi rap music, is from Moose Jaw, Sask. Other acts include Chani Nattan, Ar Paisley, Inderpal Moga, BK, OG Ghuman, Intense, Big Ghuman, Mohitveer, Jay Trak, Bhalwaan, HRJXT, G Funk, A4, Gmafia, Signature By SB, Cheema, 4MXN, Shally Rehal, Gav, Yuvy, Kanda Music, Indus, and DJ Jazzy Hans. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Cultures mixed together': South Asian music festival filling gap during Stampede
CALGARY – For those who don't necessarily want to kick up their cowboy boots at the Calgary Stampede, there's Stampede Mela. It bills itself as the largest 18+ South Asian music festival in North America and begins Friday at Fort Calgary, not far from the midway ferris wheel of the Stampede itself. 'Probably about four or five years ago, we actually decided that we wanted to do something in the South Asian music space in Calgary because Stampede has become quite a big music festival scene,' organizer Amar Duhra said in an interview. 'Our goal was to bring some representation from the South Asian community. 'We want to bring a more multicultural approach to the Stampede instead of the usual rodeo-style country music.' Duhra came up with the concept with friend Jas Toor. The pair held an indoor festival last year with a few bands and 2,000 people attending. This year, it is outdoors. There are 22 artists and the goal is 5,000 attendees. About 3,000 tickets have already been sold. 'The city's demographics has a very large South Asian population and there's really no product for those type of people or other types of population at all really,' said Toor. 'It kind of just snowballed over the course of months and grew a lot bigger than we really anticipated.' There won't be violins or steel guitars at Mela. The music is bhangra, originating from the Punjab region. It relies on a heavy beat from a double-sided drum called a dhol. As it has progressed, it has been remixed with hip hop, known as folk hop, and rap music. 'A lot of the stuff is done electronically now,' Duhra said. 'Drum and bass sounds are really, really heavy in Indian music.' About half the visitors are from Calgary's South Asian community. Others attending are coming to Calgary from Edmonton, Vancouver, California, Seattle and Miami. Duhra said the festival is not meant to take away from the Calgary Stampede. He and Toor grew up in Calgary and are proud of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth — it's just meant to fill a void. 'For us, it's not a competition in the sense that we're trying to steal people from other shows,' he said. 'Actually, we're just very proud of our culture. 'We're very proud from where we come from. We know that there's a big population there and we want it to be represented.' Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Toor fully expects that there will be plenty of attendees dressed in cowboy hats and boots, but that instead of pancakes, they should expect something more traditional, such as samosas. 'I don't think you could divorce the actual point of what happens during Stampede with everything that goes on at that time. I think it's a good thing to have the cultures mixed together.' Most of the acts are Canadian. Sultaan, a Punjabi musician known to be a big contributor to Punjabi rap music, is from Moose Jaw, Sask. Other acts include Chani Nattan, Ar Paisley, Inderpal Moga, BK, OG Ghuman, Intense, Big Ghuman, Mohitveer, Jay Trak, Bhalwaan, HRJXT, G Funk, A4, Gmafia, Signature By SB, Cheema, 4MXN, Shally Rehal, Gav, Yuvy, Kanda Music, Indus, and DJ Jazzy Hans. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025.
