Oktoberfest may be a traditional German celebration, but that’s not stopping a Foothills band from putting a North American beat to it.
When Eva Levesque and Longhaul take to the stage Saturday October 22 in Turner Valley for an Oktoberfest event, they’ll be bringing their signature classic country and folk rock repertoire with them.
The band is fronted by the husband and wife Longview duo of Cody Follis and Levesque who both play guitar and sing. Backing them up are a pair of brothers from High River, lead guitarist Wade Tutt and drummer Steve Tutt on Drums.
“I do a lot of Janis Joplin, Bonnie Tyler and that kind of thing,” Levesque said of Longhaul’s song catalogue. “I like the old folk singers from the sixties while Cody is more of a Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and George Jones kind of guy. I do some Van Morrison as well.”
Levesque explained Longhaul generally follows the crowd’s lead when it comes to song choices.
“We gear things towards the dancers,” she said. “We don’t really have a set list. We see want they want. Whatever is getting them on the floor is what we stick with.”
Turner Valley’s Oktoberfest at the Valley Neighbors Club is a fund raiser for Sheep Creek Arts Council and will feature a silent auction of original art. The funds raised at the event will assist the council in conducting programs geared to promoting greater appreciation and participation in a wide range of arts.
As a longtime singer-songwriter Levesque is pleased to support those involved in other forms of creative expression.
“I can’t even draw a stick man myself,” she said. “But I really do appreciate the artists in this area. They are amazing talents. It’s a struggle to be an artist. Even at a high caliber, it’s hard to make a living doing at that. I really appreciate their dedication to their art. It’s the same with musicians.”
The local entertainer’s devotion to her craft has kept Levesque busy as an integral part of not one but two bands in recent times. She records and performs with the all female trio the Travelling Mabel’s, which also features her daughter Suzanne, in addition to playing live shows with Longhaul.
In both acts Levesque, who like her husband is in her fifties, shares the stage with much younger performers. In the case of Longhaul it’s the in their twenties Tutt brothers.
“They’ve been practicing together since they were kids in their basement,” Levesque said of the siblings. “So we got that family thing with them playing in the back. Cody and I have been together for about nine year now and we do a lot singing together. We’ve done things as a duo but with the band it just seems to come alive. We’ve got a lot of energy and good music for dancing.”
Oktoberfest festivities in Turner Valley go from 7 p.m. to midnight October 22, and are open to Sheep River Arts Council Members and invited guests. For more information or to obtain an invitation call 404-333-4020.
Those attending the fundraiser will only have to worry about regulating their own stamina over the course of the evening. As the name of the group indicates Levesque and her band mates will be in it for the Longhaul.
