Kicking Horse Culture’s 2025-26 season was successful in supporting early-career artists while continuing to grow audiences for live performance. Across Summer Kicks, Live Kicks, and EmberFest, they presented over 20 early-career performances and reached an estimated audience of 7,580 people.
Golden’s Grand Ole Opry
EmberFest created meaningful opportunities for artists to connect directly with the community through immersive and community-centred festival experiences. This year, they added a “Golden’s Grand Ole Opry” where they showcased 16 local early-career artists. Described as a celebration of local music and community, the event was sold out, and the audience’s energy was electric.
The Denim Daddies
❝ Events like this are vital in supporting touring musicians and local economies as they provide world-class entertainment in full rooms with great sound and a sustainable rate of pay for artists. Emberfest was a terrific spectacle, showcasing Golden’s spirit. Logan and the rest of the team were very organized and hospitable, making Emberfest a festival we would love to perform at again. ~ Kurtis Cockerill, The Denim Daddies
O Pray Tell
❝ What a delicious, nourishing, professional experience it was working with Kicking Horse Culture and their top-tier sound crew. The little touches, appreciative audiences, care for artists, and dedication to art are next-level, and we would love to return. Non-profit arts councils like this one are where it all starts. You can tell how impactful they are by the level of engagement from Golden’s community, and it’s inspiring!!
Image: Golden’s Grand Ole Opry, photo by Dave Best