BURSTThe Bulkley Valley Concert Association is kicking off 2026 with an evening of music, story, and cultural expression with Kym Gouchie and Gamksimoon (formerly Saltwater Hank.)
The double-bill performance will be on Jan 17 at the Della Herman Theatre.
A celebrated Indigenous singer-songwriter, Kym Gouchie will take the stage with her all-star band, offering audiences a performance rooted in strength, healing, and connection.
According to the BVCA, she is known for her warm stage presence and powerful voice. Gouchie blends folk, roots, and contemporary Indigenous storytelling into songs rich with emotion. Her ensemble brings depth, harmony, and dynamic musicality that elevate every moment.
“I have an all-star band,” said Gouchie. “Many of them are from Smithers and we’re going to do a collection of songs from my previous records and my new Juno-nominated record.”
She added that even though the Juno nomination was for children’s album of the year, there are a lot of songs on the album that are for everybody.
“It’s gonna be an evening of music that will touch on all the emotions,” she said.
While Gouchie has performed in Smithers before, this will be her first time playing at the Della Herman Theatre.
“I love playing theatres,” she said.
“I love that attentive audience, because my music as a singer songwriter, I’m telling stories, and I love to engage with the audience. I love to be able to look at people I’m singing to. I like the lights to be up, just enough so I could see the people’s faces, and just to have that engagement. And we’re just gonna have fun too, because some of my songs require some movements, and there’s at least a couple songs where I will ask the audience to join me in some singing, and it’ll be, it’ll be a journey.”
Also performing that evening is Gamksimoon, who actually started playing guitar and banjo for Gouchie just over a decade ago.
The BVCA said he is widely recognized for his electrifying rock ’n’ roll energy. In this rare and intimate solo appearance, he will present stripped-down versions of his songs accompanied by personal storytelling.
Sung entirely in the Tsimshian language, his performances weave narrative, culture, and music into a captivating experience that resonates deeply with audiences.
“For solo performances,” he said. “I like to play off the crowd a lot. I don’t come with a setlist, I just go by how the crowd reacts to certain stories and songs.”
Tickets are $32 for Adults, $26 for Seniors and $16 for Youth under 18 and are available at Mountain Eagle Books (Smithers, cash only) or online at www.bvca.me.