Creative partnership
Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival events will offer equestrian performance, Native American dance, aerial arts and music.
Callie Sue Edwards performs with Banjo, the water buffalo. [Photo courtesy Corey Cheval]
Northwest Marion County’s Callie Sue Edwards and Shane Kuhn, along with a few other “rodeo royalty” friends, will be part of Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival events on July 24 and 25.
The couple from Shiloh have an award-winning specialty act that features water buffalo Banjo and Harley, a zorse (horse/zebra cross) and other animals. They have teamed up with the Gainesville Circus Center for this new production.
The events will begin at 7 p.m. July 24 at Two Hawk Equestrian Center at 17950 NE 53rd Lane, Williston, and July 25 at the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center at 23100 W. Newberry Road, Newberry.
There will be pre-show music by Heidi Schwiebert, the owner/operator of Two Hawk Hammock, who produces live music and dance performances, jam sessions and music education experiences. She is a founding sponsor for the Gainesville Circus Center and mother of GCC’s Executive Director Corey Cheval.
“The Gainesville Circus Center serves as a multidisciplinary performing arts organization dedicated to the creation, presentation and preservation of circus arts through professional performance, arts education and community engagement. GCC produces a diverse annual season of circus, dance and live music performances. Equestrian circus performance represents a defining component of GCC’s artistic identity. Since 2018, the organization has produced annual equestrian productions including Country Circus and Two Hawk Holiday Circus at Two Hawk Hammock in Williston,” Cheval explained via email.
“Among GCC’s most significant achievements this year was receiving support from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Celebrating America 250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes initiative. GCC was one of only 25 performing arts organizations nationwide selected for this highly competitive award. The grant supports the premiere of Banjo Buffalo’s Wild West Revival,” she added.
Cheval said the revival production combines equestrian performance, Native American dance, aerial arts and live music while reexamining the historical narratives presented in traditional Wild West shows. Developed in collaboration with Native American artists, indigenous studies scholars and wild west entertainers, the project presents indigenous and Euro-descendant traditions with greater historical accuracy, cultural authenticity and mutual respect. A companion digital educational resource further explores themes of history, identity, place and cultural exchange, she wrote.
As for why people may want to attend either or both performances, Cheval noted that, “The project is deeply connected to the traditions of North Central Florida, where ranching, horsemanship and outdoor recreation remain central to community life. The region is home to renowned equestrian venues, a thriving horse industry and internationally recognized circus artists, making it an ideal setting for an equestrian circus production. Featuring trick riding, Roman riding, liberty work, aerial arts, live Americana music and theatrical storytelling, the performance preserves traditional skills while presenting them in an engaging, modern format.
“The project also expands access to Florida’s cultural heritage by touring rural venues and offering affordable ticket prices for families with limited financial means. All venues will be ADA compliant, with additional accommodation provided for individuals with physical and hearing disabilities. By preserving traditional equestrian performance arts, showcasing regional talent and increasing access to cultural experiences in rural communities, the project strengthens appreciation for Florida’s living heritage while inspiring new generations to engage with its unique artistic traditions,” she shared.
The events will include a grand parade of artists. The lineup of acts one through eight includes:
- Women’s Dance – With Laura Huggins Whitehorse (Choctaw/Cherokee), Mya Huggins (Choctaw) and Cree Sharphead
- Horses in America – With Bruno Gonzalez
- Vaqueros – With Deke “el Pistolero” Rivers and Kuhn
- Trick and Roman Riding – With Cheval and Edwards.
- Intermission – Music by Rainy Blue
- Men’s Dance – With Duane Whitehorse (Kiowa), Bluejay Littlejohn (Cherokee) and Keith Sharphead (Cree)
- Traditional Circus Juggling, Clowning & Rope – With Jack Fool and Kaitlyn Andrews
- Banjo & Harley – Owned and trained by Kuhn and Edwards, Banjo and Harley perform regularly at regional rodeos and were awarded the 2023 Southeastern Professional Rodeo Specialty Act of the Year award.
- Intertribal Group Dance
- Finale
The events are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Visit Gainesville and the city of Gainesville.
For tickets, go to eventbrite.com/e/banjo-buffalos-wild-west-revival-tickets-1986225144876?aff=oddtdtcreator#location
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