After months of fundraising and planning, The Big Beat For Hospice main event takes place this weekend at the Villa Marina Promenade Suite, Douglas. Starting from 1pm on Friday 31st October, The Big Beat For Hospice will see a group of musicians playing, in unison, to songs of all styles for over 50 hours.
 
Martin Rigby from The Big Beat For Hospice committee said:

“We’re all really excited to finally get to our main event, we have all invested so much time and effort promoting and arranging The Big Beat For Hospice I think I can speak for the whole committee when I say we can’t wait to get on the drums for what promises to be an absolutely fantastic event!”
 
Along with the unison drumming, seeing a minimum of three drummers playing at all times, which will carry on throughout the weekend, there are a number of other events happening over the weekend including: 
 
Friday 31st October

1pm – Drum marathon begins
Hop Tu Naa party from 6pm featuring a fancy dress competition and from 9pm a burlesque performance from Sanguine Shee and a spooky Hop Tu Naa playlist of music 
 
Saturday 1st November

From 12pm – “Creating Respect and Resilience” a Celtic Drumming Workshop by Catherine Wareing – sponsored by the Isle of Man Arts Council, supporting the Island of Culture
8pm – 10pm Ballagroove DJ’s Funk and Soul Mix
10pm – 11pm Ska Playlist compered by Big Al Kneen
11pm – 1am Audiowok DJ’s Dance Music Mix 
 
Sunday 2nd November

2pm – 3pm The Big Beat Raffle
3pm – 4pm The Final Hour including closing playlist and thanks
 
There will also be a number of drum kits and percussion available for public use so anyone who wants to join in and have a go at drumming can simply make a small donation and get on a kit.
 
Martin commented:

“The Big Beat is not just about us playing the drums for over two days non-stop, it’s also a fantastic opportunity for anyone who has ever fancied a go to come and play the drums with us, the Big Beat drummers will be on hand for any advice if anyone has any questions or needs tips. Maybe we’ll find the next Ringo Starr on the Isle of Man so come down and get involved, doors are open 24/7!”
 
Raffle tickets are also now available with over 30 prizes available including the star prize of a complete drum kit.  Tickets will be available at the event and also from Hospice Shops in during the week.
 
Martin went on to say: “This is an absolutely unique event which has never been attempted on the Island and is something we will never forget. I must place my thanks on record to my fellow committee members Noah Egelick, Andy James, Steve Leach, Ben O’Hare and Jon Peacock who have put in a tremendous amount of work to get to where we are.  As strange as it sounds, playing the drums for over 50 hours will be all the reward we need!  We are ecstatic to have raised over ?10,000 for Hospice so far, we’ll be giving it one final push this weekend so we hope to see you all there."
 
For further information regarding the Big Beat For Hospice see our Facebook page www.facebook.com/thebigbeatforhospice and search YouTube for The Big Beat For Hospice to see thei promotional video and clips from some of their appearances so far this year.
 
Mary Doyle on behalf of Hospice thanked the guys for all their hard work to get to this big event:

"We really appreciate all their endeavours for our charity and can’t wait to be part of it this weekend!"