Press Release: Fifth anniversary of Canada Day Drumming attempts new online world record
Vancouver, B.C - Drums will be beating across the country for the fifth year in a row on July 1 as Canada Day Drumming aims for a new world record.
The 2021 event will be virtual again this year because of the pandemic. Despite not being able to gather in person, participants of all ages and backgrounds will grab their drums and join the event online to celebrate Canada’s 154th birthday. This year, the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt is to have the “Most people performing a drum roll online simultaneously”.
“We started Canada Day Drumming in 2017 to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday,” explained Richard Wong, national chair of the Legacy 150 Celebrations Society. “For three years, we were able to gather people from all cultural backgrounds together in parks and venues across the country to promote diversity and multicultural harmony. But when the pandemic hit last year, we moved to an online format. Even though we can’t be together in person again this year, we can still share our diversity— drum simultaneously and set a new world record—on a virtual platform, from the comfort of your own home.” 2020 Highlights can be viewed here or on www.CanadaDayDrumming.com.
The free event on July 1 will be broadcast from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (PDT), featuring a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS attempt, simultaneous drumming, multicultural performances, workshops, and more. The event can be viewed live on the Canada Day Drumming website as well as on Facebook and YouTube Live by searching @CanadayDayDrumming.
Event organizers are looking for at least 1,000 participants to join in the simultaneous drumming. Details on how to register are available at: Be a Drummer- GWR - Canada Day Drumming. This year’s event is already attracting drummers from over 60 cities across Canada, the United States and from as far away as the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and Guam.
“Achieving a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title is no easy task,” said official adjudicator Michael Empric. “I am excited to adjudicate this record attempt which will see participants performing a drum roll simultaneously online for two minutes.” This Canada-wide (with international participation) effort will be a first attempt at this new record.
The event also provides an opportunity to thank frontline health care and essential workers for their efforts throughout the pandemic. In 2020, through collective efforts, the event raised a donation of more than $23,000 to The Frontline Fund to help hospitals across Canada with supplies, support, and research to combat COVID-19.
“Just like the 7 p.m. cheer, we want to continue the tradition by drumming, banging on pots and pans, or clapping to show our appreciation,” added Wong.
In 2018, Canada Day Drumming was successful in setting the world record for “Most Nationalities in a Drum Circle” with 107 drummers from 61 nations gathered in Vancouver to drum for five minutes.
MEDIA INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY
Canada Day Drumming organizers will be available for zoom interviews on June 9th or 10th. Contact us to set up a time.
ABOUT CANADA DAY DRUMMING
Organized by Legacy 150 Celebrations Society, a Vancouver-based non-profit organization registered both federally and provincially, the annual Canada Day Drumming Celebration strives to deepen intercultural understanding, promote patriotism, and enhance civic engagement through one of the world’s most ancient and widely-adopted art forms—percussive arts.
By uniting participants from all communities and cultural backgrounds, this event aims to celebrate Canada Day through simultaneous nationwide drumming to promote diversity, multicultural harmony, peace, and love for a better world – as reflected in the Society’s mission statement.
Media enquiries:
Helen Yu, Choice Communication (Canada) Ltd.
helen.yu@choicecommunication.ca
C: 1-604-8162828
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