Mentorship Meets Rock ’n’ Roll: Crash Test Dummies Power Big Brothers Big Sisters Benefit at the El Mocambo

Stay in the Know

By: Jay Broderick

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto

Growing up with an absent father and stumbling into trouble during my early teenage years taught me firsthand how crucial an adult role model can be. The statistics don’t lie... young people from single‑parent or fractured homes face steeper challenges than peers raised in more stable family environments. And in a massive city like Toronto, temptation and trouble lurk around every corner. That’s where Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto steps in.

My connection to the organization goes back decades. I first learned about Big Brothers in the 1980s when my own brother became a mentor to a fatherless boy. Watching that relationship unfold made it clear just how life‑changing a positive role model can be. By the mid‑80s, agencies across the country began serving both boys and girls, leading to the evolution from Big Brothers of Canada to Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada in 1990, and eventually to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada in 2001.

So when I learned that the El Mocambo was launching a new music event in support of the Toronto chapter of BBBS, I didn’t hesitate to reach out and offer LoudTO’s voice to help amplify the cause.

The El Mocambo

Fans line up outside the El Mocambo in 2024.

Few venues in Toronto carry the weight of history quite like the El Mocambo. Outside of maybe The Horseshoe, it stands alone... call them 1A and 1B. Since 1948, the ElMo has hosted an endless roster of legendary artists. Modern day heavyweights like Queens of the Stone Age and Sum 41, punk icons such as The Ramones and Blondie, and of course, none more infamous than The Cockroaches, who tore up the stage in 1977. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, as a music lover, you've got some homework to do.

Beyond its storied past, The El Mocambo continues to evolve. In October 2025, the venue launched Music That Moves, a concert series dedicated to supporting local charities while showcasing top‑tier musical talent.

Crash Test Dummies

With two successful installments already behind them, The ElMo is teaming up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto for Episode 3 of Music That Moves, happening February 19, 2026. Headlining the night are none other than multi‑award‑winning Canadian rockers Crash Test Dummies.

Fronted by Brad Roberts and his unmistakable baritone pipes, the band earned Juno Group of the Year in 1992, picked up two GAFFA awards, and collected a long list of Juno and Grammy nominations. Formed in Winnipeg in 1988, the Dummies became a household name with their 1993 album God Shuffled His Feet, which sold over eight million copies worldwide. Despite their last studio album Oooh La La! being released in 2010, the band hasn't slowed down. Touring has kept them active, and now they’re joining forces with The El Mocambo and BBBS Toronto for a night dedicated to mentorship and music.

The Event

On February 19th, Crash Test Dummies will take the stage with support from Tim Magwood & The Riffers for this special edition of Music That Moves. Tickets include small bites curated by Canadian celebrity chef Mark McEwan, along with drinks. For those looking to elevate the experience, VIP options are also available... and don't forget 50/50!!

Proceeds from the evening will help “create meaningful mentoring relationships for young people across the city,” making this not just a concert, but a chance to directly support Toronto’s youth.

GRAB YOUR TICKETS HERE, and while I count down the days, I’ll be spinning the album that first put Crash Test Dummies on the map.

SUBSCRIBE