Big Beat 2009

The sound of drums will rumble across North America once again on Sunday, November 1 as 11 Five-Star member drum shops participate in The Big Beat and raise money for worthwhile causes. Billed as the world's largest multi-city drum set event, last year's Big Beat drew 1,286 drummers and about 4,000 spectators in nine cities, raised more than $45,000 for music and other charities and collected 7,000 pounds of food. Read on for all the info:

Last year's Big Beat was the first one for Columbus Percussion and was a great time! Between the giveaways, the money raised for charity, and the great atmosphere, it was an event not to be missed. Here's all you need to know for this year:

• What: Big Beat is a charity event to raise money for the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which helps children grow through music. We also collect money and canned goods for Victory Mission (now Victory Ministries) as a way to help out the community. There are giveaways and prizes, but the main part of the event is to set a world record for the most drummers playing worldwide at the same time. Tommy Smith from Danger Brothers, Phil Shipley (principal percussionist from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra), and Columbus Percussion's own Chris White will give clinics before the main event at 5:45 PM, as well.
• Who: All drummers, of all ages, from beginner to pro, are encouraged to show up and play with the greater Columbus drumming community for the event. In order to qualify for the record, each drummer needs to have a bass drum, snare, cymbal or hi hat, and a tom. Also, please bring a drum rug to protect the floor and to help with sound. We also recommend bringing ear plugs or hearing protection.
• Where: This will all take place at the Arts I.M.P.A.C.T. Middle School, 680 Jack Gibbs Blvd, Columbus Ohio 43215. A map is available here.
• When: Sunday, November 1st. Load in starts at 2:00 P.M., and the event starts at 4:00 P.M., and we will be done at 6:00 P.M. There are all kinds of interesting events planned for the day, so show up and hang with your fellow drummers!

If you can't attend but still want to give charity, donation forms are now available online (Individual, Organization, Corporate). Pledge forms are also available here. Tickets are $10 and are available here and in store, and the first 100 to buy tickets receive a goody bag with over $50 of gear from your favorite companies. All proceeds go directly to charity. Spectators are welcome to join; all you need to bring is $5 and a can of food to donate. We'll will have a variety of fun events throughout the day, including guest appearances by major-name drummers and raffles and giveaways of percussion gear from the industry's best-known manufacturers, including:

• Dream 32" Gong w/ stand & bag
• DW 8002 Double Pedal and complete hardware pack
• Extreme Headphones 7 pairs of headphones
• Istanbul Agop 21" Signature ride and XIST B20 box set
• Mapex 14x8" Maple/Walnut Big Beat snare
• Sabian XS20 Performance Set, AAX Effects Pack, APX Effects Pack
• Drum Fun Turn it Up and Lay it Down (3 copies of each CD)
• Gretsch Retro Mahogany 7x13" & 6.5x14" snare drums
• LP 3.25x6" Micro Snare, folding bar chimes
• Remo assortment of drumheads
• Toca Hi Hat Hit Zone Tambourine (2), Clave Block Pack, Large Static Whip, XXL Pro Cowbell, Acrylic Mini Timbale
• Evans 22" Gmad drumhead, 14" Power Center Reverse Dot Coated drumhead, 14" Hazy 300 Snare Side drumhead
• Puresound 14" 20 strand snare wires
• Pearl Sensitone Snare Drum
• Rhythm Tech Trick Pack (Bag, Tambourine, Super Claves, Live Shakre, Cabasa, 5" & 9" Studio Shakers
• Sonor Force 3003 14x5" Snare Drum
• Tama Iron Cobra Jr. Pedal
• Universal/Wuhan 26" Chau Gong w/ stand
• Zildjian 18" Z3 Crash

The goodie bags will also feature sticks, brushes, shakers, and other items from Pro-Mark, Regal Tip, LP, Universal, and more. When all is said and done, we'll have given away over $16,000 worth of merchandise! There will also be a national raffle with the grand prize winner getting a Neil Peart autographed DW logo bass drum head! We expect to have a great time. See you there!