Oh what a night!
Canadian Rocker Burton Cummings & Band to join
Tom Cochrane and Red Rider for an unforgettable Oktoberfest Expo
(Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada – September 13, 2008) – When Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest celebrates its 40th Anniversary with a special Oktoberfest Expo, it will be a night to remember. Tom Cochrane and his band Red Rider will be joined by Burton Cummings & Band for a once in a lifetime experience blending the best of the traditional KWO Experience with the best of Canadian rock ‘n roll.
“Oktoberfest Expo, which takes place on Saturday, October 4, at the Concordia Club Tent, will be a unique event,” says Larry Blundell, Executive Director, KW Oktoberfest. “We were thrilled to sign Tom Cochrane for this night. To be able to also offer a performance by Burton Cummings & Band is even more exciting for Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. Both of these artists are Canadian icons of music and known around the world. What a high caliber way to celebrate Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest’s 40th Anniversary.”
The ultimate KWO Experience will begin the moment guests arrive in the parking lot at Concordia Club. A special welcome will be in store and greeters will be on hand to greet the crowd and escort them into the club, which will feature highlights from Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest of days gone by including a stroll down Koenigstrasse (King Street) from the town of Berlin of years ago. Traditional German culture, exciting dance groups in full costume, cultural entertainers, and the tasting of fine German foods will all be part of the traditional experience
As the evening progresses, however, the atmosphere will transform from old to new as the night is capped off by the music of both Burton Cummings & Band and Tom Cochrane and Red Rider. Performances by the Transylvania Brass Band, the Black Forest Band, and emcee George Kash will round out the evening.
Burton Cummings, born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, joined The Guess Who as the lead singer in 1965, then left 10 years later to pursue what would become an accomplished career as a solo artist. His list of hit singles is both long and impressive, including ‘These Eyes’, ‘American Woman’, and ‘Undun’ with the Guess Who and ‘Stand Tall’, ‘I’m Scared’, ‘My Own Way to Rock’, and ‘Break it to Them Gently’, as a solo artist.
Cochrane, who started out with bands Chicago and Red Rider, is known internationally with his major hits “Life is a Highway” and “Big League.” He released his latest CD No Stranger in 2006 and has been touring the world since then. In the gilded ballroom of Rideau Hall, the country's highest civilian honour was bestowed upon leading scientists, doctors, philanthropists, performers, politicians, and one iconic rocker. Tom Cochrane became an officer of the Order of Canada for "songs that recount stories and dreams that are unabashedly Canadian," and for his humanitarian efforts in fighting global poverty.
Tickets for this don’t miss event are $50 (plus handling and GST) and can be purchased online at www.oktoberfest.ca or in person at the Hans Haus, 17 Benton Street, Kitchener. Must be legal drinking age.
The production of Oktoberfest Expo has been made possible through the generous support of the Ontario Government, through the Ministry of Tourism and their Celebrate Ontario 2008 grant. The Celebrate Ontario grant funding was created to help organizers enhance their festivals and events with new experiences, and attract greater audiences to Ontario, with an understanding of the importance of festivals and events to Ontario’s prosperity, culture and quality of life.
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For additional information:
Larry Blundell
Executive Director,
KW Oktoberfest Inc .
519-570-4267 ext. 222