Bang the Drum for 800 Birthday Bash

Aug 7 2007 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

DRUMMERS are needed for a record-breaking tribute to Liverpool on its 800th birthday.

Organisers hope the August 28 drum-athon at St George’s Plateau could put the city in the Guinness Book of Records.

Mutual Arising, which co-ordinates community cultural projects, is looking for 800 drummers to perform outside St George’s Hall on the night.

A spokesman said: “We’re going for a world record of people playing, although it didn’t start off that way.

“Anyone can take part as the rhythm we have created is very simple to learn but is very powerful to hear.

“The event is open to everybody of all ages. I’ve got a five-year-old daughter and she picked up the top-line pattern and was playing it within 10 minutes.

“You don’t even need a proper drum. We’ll show people how to play the parts and make drums from cardboard boxes.”

He added: “We want people to be excited about this and to join in.”

African, Latin American and even Orange Lodge drummers are involved.

The event has been two years in the planning and organisers have contacted the Guinness Book of Records to make sure someone can attend on the night.

Free workshops will take place to help create the biggest beat in city history.

The event itself will be filmed and feature in the Mutual Arising Spirit of Liverpool movie, due for release in 2008.

There will also be a “Drum 200” event on Otterspool Promenade the week before to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade.

To join in the birthday drumming event, e-mail stev@mutualarising.com or visit www.mutualarising.com

Join the fun

ARE you having a party to celebrate Liverpool’s 800th birthday?

If so then the ECHO wants to hear from you.

We are planning to celebrate the August landmark in style with special 800th birthday supplements packed with party photographs.

And we want revellers across the city - and beyond its boundaries - to tell us about their plans to mark the big day.

Anyone who is organising an event, whether in the street, a community centre, old people’s home or on parkland is asked to get in touch with details.

You can call Catherine Jones on 0151-472 2459 or e-mail catherinejones@liverpoolecho.co.uk

catherinejones@liverpoolecho.co.uk