Photo by Thamizhpparithi Maari, Wikimedia Commons.
Winnipeggers will unite to create the largest drumming session Winnipeg has ever seen in a loud expression of their generosity and kindness, as United Way winds up its 50th anniversary celebration at The Forks Wednesday evening with a free outdoor concert.
For its final Winnipeg Wednesday on June 24, United Way of Winnipeg invites all Winnipeggers to pause for a moment, enjoy fantastic local entertainment and participate in a human drumming session led by one of Canada’s best musicians, Crash Test Dummies drummer Mitch Dorge.
One Night For Winnipeg at the Festival Stage at The Forks starts at 6:30 p.m. with Aboriginal, African and Japanese drumming setting the rhythm of the evening. The audience will then be treated to performances by some of Winnipeg’s finest local acts – JP Hoe, The JD Edwards Band, Daniel Roy, The Treble, Sweet Alibi, The Lytics and The Noble Thiefs – along with hosts Ace Burpee and Rosanna Deerchild.
As a highlight of the show, everyone is invited to join Mitch Dorge as he leads the crowd surrounding the stage in using their hands, feet and legs in a unified rhythm.
While people are welcome to bring a drum, it’s not necessary, Dorge explained. “We’re going to get everybody to join in using some kind of body percussion. If we can get thousands of people working together towards a common goal, we can create a remarkable, positive energy that really unites us and brings everyone together. Doing this shows people that if you work together you can really do something and make a difference,” Dorge said.
“One Night for Winnipeg is a fantastic, free evening to come together with our friends and neighbours to celebrate the Winnipeg we all make possible,” said Ayn Wilcox, Chair of United Way of Winnipeg’s 50th Anniversary Steering Committee.
“Having thousands of people celebrating together will really be representative of how Winnipeggers have been coming together to make a difference in the community over the last few weeks, and also over the last 50 years since United Way came to be. And of course the incredible line-up of local artists will have something for everyone to enjoy.”
The performers at One Night For Winnipeg cover a diverse range of music styles, languages and ethnic groups, representing our multi-culturally rich city. In addition to the headliners, the family-friendly concert will also feature performances such as Inuit throat singing, Métis jigging, a Filipino vocalist, a Winnipeg School Division student choir, poets, artists and more.
“Fifty years ago in 1965, people in Winnipeg came together to create United Way as a way of uniting our city to help one another. They knew Winnipeggers were kind and compassionate, and they envisioned that together we could make Winnipeg a better place to live for everyone,” said Herb Peters, Chair of United Way of Winnipeg’s Board of Trustees.
“Today it is clear that their vision for a better Winnipeg continues to unite us as a community, and through United Way people have helped countless Winnipeggers and their families when they needed help most.”
For more information about One Night For Winnipeg, visit www.winnipegwednesday.ca/onenightforwinnipeg.
