Theatre on the Hoof!

August 14: Trader Days at Fort Qu’Appelle
Spirits of the Trail opens its 2010 tour in the historic town of Fort Qu’Appelle, right inside the New Fort, for the finale to their Trader Days celebration. The proceeds of this event go toward completing the fort reconstruction. The event begins with procession of NWMP and Sioux to the New Fort in time for:

• 4 p.m. Opening of the fort gate and beer tent.

• 5 p.m. Spirits of the Trail, our featured outdoor “wild west show” starring Sitting Bull and NWMP Major “Bub” Walsh and a host of other riders.
• 6 p.m. Bison barbecue on-site at the Rocking C chuckwagon, followed by campfire Chatauqua singalong with musicians, native performers, cowboy poets, and storytellers.
• 8.30 p.m. Sundown farewell.

Tickets at: $20 ($15, children under 12)
Pharmasave
Dairy Queen
CIBC
Bucks Dollar Store

Bring lawn chairs or ground blankets. Weather backup is FQ Rexcentre.

Bring lawn chairs or ground blankets. Weather backup is in the Rexcentre.

August 15: Frontier Day at Echo Valley Provincial Park
Spirits of the Trail treks by horse, wagon and travois to Echo Valley Provincial Park, via Standing Buffalo Territory. Arrives at Echo Valley Visitor Centre at 4 p.m. Park entry includes show admission.
• 5 p.m. Spirits of the Trail, starring Sitting Bull and NWMP Major “Bub” Walsh.
• 6 p.m. Break for supper, followed by a campfire singalong with local musicians, aboriginal performers, cowboy poets and story-tellers.
• 8.30 p.m. Sundown farewell.

August 17: Paskwa Culture Camp
Spirits of the Trail caravan treks up the lake to Paskwa Territory. There is no admission fee, and is open to all members of Paskwa First Nation and their guests.
• 3 p.m. Arrival at Ashram’s Point on Paskwa Lake (old rodeo grounds) for demonstration at Culture Camp.
• 5 p.m. Spirits of the Trail gallop in, featuring Sitting Bull and NWMP Major “Bub” Walsh, as well as their friends Louis Leveille, Old Raven, and Molly Whitetooth.
• 6 p.m. Potluck Supper, organized by Paskwa Band Council. Bring a tasty contribution.
• 7 p.m. Campfire singalong with local musicians, aboriginal performers, cowboy poets, indigenous storytellers, dancers and riders.
• 8.30 p.m. Sundown farewell.

August 19: Payepot Powwow
Spirits of the Trail caravan treks across Muskowpetung to Payepot Territory before annual Payepot Powwow opens.
Program at Payepot still to be determined, but similar to above.

August 21: Frontier Day at Lumsden
Spirits of the Trail concludes trek at “the Gateway to the Valley”, and rides with local riders through the historic town of Lumsden, stopping at Lumsden Historical Museum and Heritage Home Seniors Facility, before traveling the Trans Canada Trail and Seven Bridges Road on a trail ride to Beaver Creek Horse Centre, (four miles west of town).
• 4 p.m. Frontier Day Gymkhana at Beaver Creek Corral.
• 5 p.m. Spirits of the Trail gallop in, starring Sitting Bull, NWMP Major “Bub” Walsh.
• 6 p.m. Barbecue dinner served from the chuckwagon by John Eberts and the Lions Club.
• 7 p.m. Campfire circle and Chatauqua singalong. With cast performers, local musicians, cowboy poets, local historians and story-tellers.
• 9 p.m. Sundown farewell.

Tickets $20 ($10 for children). Available at Cameron’s Pharmacy and Cowtown (in Regina). There is some bleacher seating, but better to bring a lawn chair or walker-Cowtown (in Regina) seat.

September 14-17: Treaty Four Gathering and Powwow
Spirits of the Trail may be presented on these dates at the Treaty Four Arbour (east of Fort Qu’Appelle) along with outdoor drama and creative workshops for aboriginal high school students. There will be no admission charge, courtesy of File Hills Tribal Council. Details available by Aug. 1.

August, 2011
Burning Sun Productions will tour “theatre on the hoof” on a 250-mile trek along the Qu’Appelle Valley from Moose Jaw to Fort Qu’Appelle and beyond, possibly as far as St. Lazare on the Manitoba border. We plan to present “valley culture” entertainment at about 20 local communities on the way, celebrating valley history and talent in both settler and native communities. Hokila Washtay!