The Swinging Pussycats and Soda Blue Band delivered a Round 2 knockout at The Dakota Tavern!

After the success of the inaugural 2023 Rockin’ Out and Knockin’ Out Cancer event, the team came together for Round 2 on Wednesday, May 22nd, at The Dakota Tavern!

Building on the incredible success of the 2023 fundraiser, the team is back and better than ever. With the support of their community, they have raised a total of $3,500 for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Attendees enjoyed an evening filled with excitement, including a Knockout Raffle featuring a road bike from Labatt. The live entertainment wowed the audience once again with performances by the talented Soda Blue Band and the addition of The Swinging Pussycats, a four-piece surf, pop, and garage rock band from Toronto.

A couple of highlights from the night included Sandi Nicolson, lead singer of The Swinging Pussycats, winning three out of the five raffle prizes. This impressive feat was likely due to the sheer number of raffle tickets purchased by her and her partner, David Millan (guitar and vocalist). Ed Troscianczuk, the band’s drummer and percussionist, also won the Vieni Estates Founder’s Blend Package. The team at The Dakota Tavern were incredible hosts, helping to promote the show and keep the party rockin’, rollin’, and knockin’ out cancer.

Gordon Best, a pivotal figure who not only served as guitarist and vocalist for both bands but also played a crucial role in bringing this event to fruition.

A special thank you to Gordon Best, who not only doubled as guitarist and vocalist for both bands but also played a key role in bringing this event to life. After losing his wife to pancreatic cancer, Gordon has channeled his experience into becoming a passionate ambassador for the cause, helping to change the outcome for others. His dedication to his art and the Fight to End Cancer is fueled by a deep belief that we will end cancer in our lifetime.

The featured performers of the evening were Soda Blue and The Swinging Pussycats, who graciously decided to donate their fees for the night to the Fight To End Cancer.

About The Bands

Soda Blue Band
Our music is a meeting place.
Where Blues meets Jazz meets Rockabilly meets Soul.
Where Vintage meets Modern and Young meets Old.
Where Dancers meet Toe Tappers and Listeners meet Party-ers.
Wherever we meet, there’s a groove going on.
More About Soda Blue

The Swinging Pussycats
The Swinging Pussycats are a four-piece surf, pop, garage rock band from Toronto.
More About The Swinging Pussycats

About The Dakota Tavern
The Dakota Tavern is a much-loved, intimate music venue which has been in existence for more than 16 years and has seen many of Canada’s best-known artists grace its tiny stage.
More About The Dakota Tavern

A special note from our performers…

“We all know people who have struggled with or succumbed to Cancer.

My father was a cancer survivor for 20 years after his diagnosis of prostate cancer due to the great work of PMH.

I lost my first wife Dana to Pancreatic Cancer ultimately. However with the great work of PMH, other surgeons of the University Health Network, and her strength we were given an additional 22 months from the diagnosis.

That was a gift.”

~ Gordon Best, Soda Blue

DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION!

Public Relations Team, Fight To End Cancer
info@fighttoendcancer.com

Donations to our Fight Team can be made at: fighttoendcancer.com.
Photos available upon request.

Interview Opportunities:
Interview Opportunities are available in studio, on site, and via phone or email with:

• Jennifer Huggins (Executive Director and Founder, Fight To End Cancer)
• Virgil Barrow (Fight Team Head Coach, Kingsway Boxing Club)
• FTEC Fight Team members (contacts available upon request)
• Presenting Partners:
  • Landscape Plus Ltd.
  • Grafton Apparel Ltd.

About The Fight To End Cancer
The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) is a year-round initiative driven by ambassadors, sponsors, and volunteers worldwide. Since our inception in 2012, we have donated nearly $3 million to the cause. Funds raised by FTEC go directly to the GTX Program at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Each year, we honour the hard work and dedication of our FTEC family through alternating events: a black-tie charity boxing gala and our newest initiative, The Friday Night Fights ‘To End Cancer’. Our mission is to raise funds for cancer research year-round with the support of the local community and business owners. Together, we will end cancer in our lifetime. Learn More About The Fight To End Cancer.