Meet Keith & Chrissi

Keith and Chrissi Armbruster met in the Netherlands at a dance competition. They started a long distance relationship until one of them could travel across the “big pond” to begin a life together. Ten years later, they continue to share a passion for dance teaching, judging, performing and competing in the UCWDC and WSDC. Their beautiful girls, Kiran and Nyla, keep them very busy while they both maintain full-time careers outside the dance community. Keith works in Architecture as a Senior Project Manager and is the immediate past President of the United Country Western Dance Council. Chrissi is a child care professional and serves persons with disabilities.

You will see both of them at many local and international dance events where Keith works as a Master Level Certified Duel Judge and Educator/Examiner and Chrissi continues to compete and pursue her dance passion.

Our History

1988

Calgary hosts the Winter Olympics and over 400 Country dancers participate in the official opening ceremonies at McMahon Stadium

1989

After the Olympics, two dance halls opened: “Country Cuz It’s Fun” and “The Spirit of the West”. The clubs merged in 1997.

1991

The Calgary Country Dance Stampede is sanctioned as the first UCWDC-sanctioned event outside of the United States

1992

The Calgary Country Dance Stampede holds it’s very first event organized by the Country Cuz It’s Fun dance club and directed by Garry Nanninga

2001

Gary McIntyre & Lisa Senn (then McIntyre) become the second generation Event Directors for the Calgary Country Dance Stampede

2003

The event is re-branded as the Calgary Dance Stampede and unveils it’s new logo designed by Richard Tymko and still used today

2006

Keith Armbruster and Jena Smith are the third generation Event Directors. Jena left the position 2010.

2008

Line Dance is re-introduced at the Calgary Dance Stampede, elevating it to the largest and longest running Country, Swing and Line Dance event in Canada.

2011

The Calgary Dance Stampede is voted Favorite North American Event by YOU! Awarded by the UCWDC, it is first time a Canadian event receives the honor.

2013

The event is recognized by the Country Two Step Tour (CTST) allowing dancers to compete in this North American circuit for valuable advancement points.

2015

Chrissi Ehrlich becomes an Event Director with her husband Keith Armbruster. They would soon marry. The event expands to  over 110 workshops over in four days.

2019

The Calgary Dance Stampede signs a five year agreement to be live-streamed with UCWDC National Sponsor, FloDance, providing with international exposure.

2023

The Calgary Dance Stampede celebrates its 30th Anniversary after being cancelled since 2021 due to the pandemic.

2024

The Calgary Dance Stampede is recognized as a World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) Registry Event — points count!