Want to have a year to remember? Start it with the night to remember at the Orpheum Theatre, where Toque will rock you into the new year.
For the first time in its history, the Orpheum Theatre is going to throw a New Year’s Eve rock party.
“I thought it was a cool year because we are going into a new decade, and also the Orpheum Theatre is 105 years old. So it was a good way to start the new year,” said Jocelyn Dougherty, who owns the Orpheum Theatre along with her husband Alan.
The night promises to be casual and festive at the same time. And to make sure it has the best of the Canadian spirit they invited the most Canadian band to share the clock countdown with the community. Dougherty is sure the band will be amazing.
“The first time I saw them live was at Shake the Lake in Regina this summer. And I couldn’t believe how the crowd just gravitated towards the stage when they were playing. They were just unbelievable, and you could tell by the reaction from the crowd. So I can guarantee people are in for a high-quality rock’n’roll performance,” said Dougherty.
The four highly professional and very talented Canadian musicians Cory Churko (guitar), Todd Kerns (vocals and guitar), Shane Gaalass (drums) and Brent Fitz (bass) are known for their work with such stars as Slash, Age of Electric, Gene Simmons, Kelly Clarkson and others. And Churko has been working with Shania Twain for about 20 years and is the music director for her and for Toque. Back in 2012, they came together to form the most Canadian rock cover band, which they named after one of the most Canadian words ever.
Last weekend Toque was rocking Alberta during the Grey Cup Festival. The Mercury got a chance to talk to Kerns while the band was getting ready for the outdoor tailgate party in Calgary.
Band members keep working in other projects in the U.S. and come together every so often to rock some Canadian hits. Kerns noted that sometimes balancing between different projects could be tricky as they all have many obligations, but they make it work.
“It sometimes can be challenging getting everybody on the same page. But part of the fun of this thing is that it was meant to be done out of love and for fun, so we can do it,” said Kerns.
Toque plays to standing ovations everywhere they go and are guaranteed to fire up the Estevan crowd. Kerns said that their main ingredient of success is professionalism.
“Dealing with a whole group of professional guys, we know how to just show up and give 100 per cent no matter the situation,” said Kerns. “That’s why... everybody in this band has world-class gigs because they are professionals and they are talented.”
But the Estevan concert promises to be even more special because, besides undebatable talent and energy, these four musicians also have a unique connection to the region.
“Toque is a pretty special thing because it is four guys, four Canadian guys, four Prairie Canadian guys. Cory and I grew up in Saskatchewan, Brent Fitz is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and our drummer Shane is from Alberta, so we all have this sort of shared history of Canadian music that’s pretty specifically regional as well. So we put together the project, it was out of total love for Canadian music," said Kerns.
On top of that Kerns has even more connections to Estevan - he actually was born in the Energy City.
“When (the concert) came up, I was like, ‘Wow, it’s so crazy because I was born there.’ So I’m very excited to get back there,” said Kerns. “We left shortly after I was born, and I don’t have a whole lot of history in the city, but I’ve been back a few times to play, and I would love to add a little bit more invested time in Estevan because that’s where I was born.”
Toque exclusively rocks great Canadian classic rock with a preference for Canadian Prairies classic rock. The band has two records and they also recently released their hit single Never Enough. They play out of love for Canadian music, and that love they will share with the Estevan crowd.
After a current run through Alberta, Toque will get back to their other projects. In the end of the year, the band will get together again for a brief Prairie tour.
“Being a straight-up Saskatchewan guy, it’s always great to be in Saskatchewan. We don’t play in Saskatchewan nearly enough, so it’s always good to come back,” said Kerns.
Opening for the rock band is Ontario-based comedian He Fangzhou, who is well-known in different parts of Canada.
“We are going to begin at 9 o’clock with the comedian… The band will start approximately at 10 o’clock and … they will be on stage to bring in the New Year with us,” said Dougherty.
The Tower Café will serve the first 2020 midnight lunch, which is included in the ticket. A cash bar and regular concession will be open throughout the night.
Advance tickets are $75 (door price is $85). Tickets are available at Henders Drugs and the Orpheum Theatre.
