Calgary's High Performance Rodeo back for its 30th year

Calgary's High Performance Rodeo once again shines a spotlight on our city asthe annual arts andtheatre festival returnsfor the 30th year.

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This year will also be the first withoutformer artistic director Michael Green, whodied last February in a car crash in Saskatchewan.

After what has been a difficult yearfor both the High Performance Rodeo and the theatre company that birthed itOne Yellow Rabbit managing producerAnnConnors has made sure this year'sshow can goon.

"The outpouring of support and love and all those beautiful things that go with that have been pretty amazing," said Connors."It gave us the will to go forward and carry on and here we are."

Over the more than 25 years of friendship and collaboration with Green, she says she's learned many things about what makes Calgary's High Performance Rodeo a standout event.

"Not every city has what Calgary has,not every festival has the dedicated audience that the rodeo has."

SoConnors says expect the performances to be stepped up a notch, or two.

"Michael always said it's about having fun, it's about having something wild for everyone and it's about Calgary and the people of Calgary coming out and having a good time." she said.

Watch for titles like Jack Charles V. The Crown,brought in from Australia, and The RockefellerProject,featuring Torquil Campbellfrontman for theCanadian band Stars. For a very local flair, as the title suggests, see Calgary, I love you, but you're killing me.

The festivalkickedoff Jan.7and runs throughthe end of the month at various venues in Calgary.For the full schedule and tickets, visit www.hprodeo.ca