The organizers of Youth Day plan to set a World Record to have the largest number of people gathered in one place to simultaneously dance the ” Twist” during Youth Day festivities at Yonge-Dundas Square on Sunday July 25, 2010.
About the Twist
The Twist was popularized and became a smash hit in 1960 when the song was covered by one of the most iconic performers of the 1960s, Chubby Checker. His hit single went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1960, and returned to the #1 spot again in January 1962 – the only single to ever reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in two different chart runs, starting a world-wide dance craze. This year, 2010, marks the 50th anniversary of ‘The Twist’.
How to Dance the Twist
The Twist dance is performed by standing with the feet approximately shoulder width apart. The torso may be squared to the knees and hips, or turned at an angle so one foot is farther forward than the other. The arms are held out from the body, bent at the elbow. The hips, torso, and legs rotate on the balls of the feet as a single unit, with the arms staying more or less stationary. The feet grind back and forth on the floor, and the dance can be varied in speed, intensity, and vertical height as necessary. Occasionally one leg is lifted off the floor for styling, but generally the dance posture is low and with the feet in contact with the floor with very little vertical motion.
Watch the determined Uma Thurman and her unwitting partner John Travolta dance their interpretation of the Twist in a clip from the movie “Pulp Fiction.”
ABOUT YOUTH DAY 2010
Founded by Tylaine Duggan four years ago, Youth Day engages young artists to find their passion in the arts, and provides for a free venue where they can demonstrate their talent. The annual celebration deemed the “Largest Youth Festival of its Kind”, is held in memory of Chair Emeritus Gino Empry and has found a new home at YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE in the heart of the City of Toronto – the busiest intersection in Canada.
Attendance this year is expected to exceed 12,000 as Youth Day 2010 is also setting a world record for the largest public participation to the Twist, supported by Canadian Hall of Fame inductee and Order of Canada recipient Bobby Curtola and his friend Chubby Checker.
Youth Day Toronto Schedule
- OFFICIAL OPENING: 11:30am with a flag parade
- ATHLETES ON STAGE: 4:00pm with inspirational speech
- MOMENT OF SILENCE: 6:00pm with Toronto Fire Services
- TWIST WORLD RECORD: 8:00pm with audience and Political Candidates
- PUBLIC SING-A-LONG: 9:30pm with audience and all artists
- OFFICIAL CLOSING: 10:00pm with a flag parade
More about Youth Day Toronto: www.youthdaytoronto.com
Let’s Do the Twist!
Come on down to Yonge-Dundas Square on Sunday July 25 and “Let’s do the Twist” to celebrate the incredible talents of Toronto’s Youth and help them set a World Record!
The last world record for number of dancers to dance the Twist was set recently in Glendale, California with 1,692 dancers.
We broke the world record! Video and details coming soon.