Canadian Soccer Drums for Earthbeat 2003

Ottawa, Ontario – Members of the Canadian Women’s World Cup Soccer Team will join Chief Master Drummer Mr. Derek Debeer and local master drummers in support of Earthbeat 2003 at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18 at the World Exchange Plaza outdoor amphitheatre, located at Metcalfe Street and Queen Street, Ottawa. Following a drumming demonstration by the Earthbeat drummers, the Canadian players will themselves try their hand at drumming under the guidance of Debeer.



Earthbeat 2003 is an integrated community event in which over 3,000 drummers will gather in Ottawa next September 7, 2003, at the annual Urban Music Festival (www.urbanmusicfestival.com), to set a new world record for the largest drum ensemble in the world playing a piece of drum music. Turkey holds the current Guinness world record with 2,208 drummers.



At the same time, the social venture capital group Friends without Borders (www.fwbgroup.com) will draw on the power of the drumming event to raise funds in support of children affected by the ravages of war in the world. The campaign is in partnership with world-class Canadian development agencies SOS Children’s Villages (www.soschildrensvillages.ca) and Street Kids International (www.streetkids.org), as well as several smaller high-quality “start-up” organizations.



The drumming event is under the musical direction of Chief Master Drummer Derek Debeer, Ottawa resident and celebrated percussionist and former drummer for “Johnny Clegg and Savuka.”



The demonstration is in partnership with the Canadian Soccer Association (migmultidev-canada-soccer.pantheonsite.io). In addition, SOS Children’s Villages has a special partner relationship with FIFA, the international governing body for world soccer.



When: Friday, July 18, 2003 12h00 noon – 13h00

Where: tWorld Exchange Plaza, outdoor amphitheatre, Metcalfe Street side – 45 O’Connor Street and 100 Queen Street, Ottawa, ON