Take a Celtic-Maritime band known for working up one heckuva kitchen party and mix ‘em with the sweet classic rock sounds of one of the North Okanagan’s most popular bar bands, and you’ve got something good ‘n wild, and perfect for dancing up a storm on New Year’s Eve.
Vernon bands Cod Gone Wild and The Goods are teaming up to ring in 2014 with a joint concert at the Vernon Recreation Centre.
Guaranteed to be a high energy affair, the show will feature five hours of non-stop music, with no set breaks, said Cod Gone Wild’s Andrew Mercer.
“We are going to have two drum sets on the stage and do some songs together and then will play back and forward,” he said. “It’s a different contrast because our sound is so different from one another.”
The idea for a conjoined New Year’s Eve show came after The Goods’ James Taylor suggested to Mercer that the two bands do something together.
Besides playing a number of dances, concerts, fundraisers, and festivals, both bands have attracted huge crowds for the Downtown Vernon Association’s summer outdoor concert series, Civic Sounds.
“We are always looking for ways to partner up with different organizations and bands,” said Mercer, who is producing the show under his production company, Cod Productions, which he runs with his Cod Gone Wild bandmate, drummer Chad “Rhino” Carter.
For this show, Cod Productions has partnered with the Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band, who will be running the cash bar, with ticket proceeds going to the Arran Campbell Memorial Youth Pipe Band for the kids to go to the Piping Hot Summer Drummer camp at Silver Star.
“They are a good group to partner with,” said Mercer, who also leads the Okanagan Celtic Choir in Vernon. “We like to do things in the community and hope to make this an annual New Year’s event in the North Okanagan.”
Used to putting on big events, such as the popular Irish Pub Night during Vernon Winter Carnival as well as the St. Patrick’s Day shindig at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre, Mercer says staging a big show such as this New Year’s Eve dance comes with some risk.
Unlike past New Year’s Eve events at the Vernon Recreation Centre, such as those put on by the now defunct Komasket Music Festival, and due to current B.C. liquor laws, the Good ‘n’ Wild New Year’s Eve event will not be open to minors.
“There’s less incentive to put on events with roadblocks, and it’s also expensive to put on a show, but we want to do it as we’re passionate about having events,” said Mercer.
“That said, we think this show will appeal to a wide demographic of ages… We are hearing about people coming from as far as Clearwater to the show. It’s nice to have that reach.”
For any out-of-towners, the Prestige Hotel in Vernon is offering a special rate for double occupancy that night with proof of ticket purchase.
In addition, Lumby restaurant, the Crazy Llama, which specializes in Latin American cuisine, will have snack items such as sandwiches and a dessert crêpe for sale at the event.
“Their food is fantastic and different. We are excited to have them on board,” said Mercer. “This is again about making connections in the community… The event would not be possible without all of our sponsors.”
Advance tickets for A Good ‘n Wild New Year’s Eve at the Vernon Rec Centre are $37 (includes champagne and party favours) at the Ticket Seller in the Performing Arts Centre. Call 250-549-7469 or order online at www.ticketseller.ca. (Tickets are $45 at the door if available.) Doors open at 8:30 p.m. with music running from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.
