Denise Chaapel – Canandaigua BID / August 6, 2026
CANANDAIGUA, NY – On Saturday, August 8, 2026, Historic Downtown Canandaigua will become the backdrop for an unforgettable day of connection, culture, music, and mindfulness during Canandaigua Rising in Unity, a free community celebration culminating in an official Singing Bowl World Record Attempt at 4:44 p.m.
While organizers hope to surpass the current Guinness World Records title for the Largest Singing Bowl Ensemble, currently held by 375 participants in Gaya, India, the true purpose of the event reaches far beyond breaking a record. The record of 375 participants was set on April 26, 2025, by Buddhist Monks.
“Our greatest goal isn’t simply setting a world record,” event organizers said. “It’s bringing people together in a spirit of unity, peace, and shared experience. If we leave the day feeling more connected as a community, we’ve already succeeded.”
Participation is open to everyone, regardless of age or experience. No prior singing bowl experience is necessary, and there is no purchase required to participate. Those wishing to join the world record attempt simply need to register, bring a singing bowl if they have one (or purchase one beforehand from participating downtown businesses while supplies last), check in before the event, and join hundreds of others as they sound their bowls continuously for five minutes beginning promptly at 4:44 p.m.
Throughout the day, free Singing Bowl Demonstration & Practice Sessions will be offered at 10:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., giving first-time participants an opportunity to learn the simple technique and build confidence before the official attempt.
From 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., visitors are encouraged to spend the day exploring everything Downtown Canandaigua has to offer. Guests can browse local shops, visit artisan and wellness vendors, dine at downtown restaurants, experience interactive demonstrations, and enjoy continuous programming across two performance stages.
Performance Schedule
The Central on Main – Rotary Stage
- 10:00 a.m. Carimbo Folkloric Dance – Claudia Shazadi
- 10:30 a.m. Singing Bowl Demonstration & Practice
- 11:00 a.m. Community Sound Bath – Jennifer Marks Muscato (Equilibrium Wellness)
- 12:00 p.m. Samba Dance – Claudia Shazadi
- 12:30 p.m. Singing Bowl Demonstration & Practice
- 1:00–1:45 p.m. Witches of Waters Edge
- 2:00 p.m. Iroquois Social Dances – George Family
- 3:00 p.m. Bells of Bliss – Guy Yair Beider
- 4:00 p.m. Singing Bowl Demonstration & Practice
- 4:44 p.m. Official Singing Bowl World Record Attempt
- 6:00–8:00 p.m. The Spheres – Live Music
The Commons Park – Maxion Stage
- 10:15 a.m. Singing Bowl Demonstration & Practice
- 10:30 a.m. Unity with the Breath – Elise Underhill
- 11:30 a.m. Intro to Energy Medicine – Brandie Kristle Furniss
- 12:30 p.m. Iroquois Smoke & Competition Dance Demonstration
- 1:30 p.m. Amazing Mind Body Soul Center Guided Activation & Sound Alchemy Journey
- 2:15 p.m. Singing Bowl Demonstration & Practice
- 2:30 p.m. Qi Gong Meditative Movement Experience – Amanda Butler
- 3:30 p.m. Heartbased Music & Poetry – John Terlazzo
- 4:44 p.m. Official Singing Bowl World Record Attempt
Featured Performers & Presenters
Rising in Unity brings together an inspiring lineup of musicians, wellness practitioners, educators, and cultural performers whose collective experience spans decades of teaching, performance, and community engagement.
Award-winning George Family Iroquois Dancers will present traditional Iroquois Social Dances along with Smoke and Competition Dance Demonstrations, sharing Indigenous traditions through precise craftsmanship, cultural pride, and dance as a powerful form of storytelling and cultural exchange.
Internationally recognized sound meditation educator Guy Yair Beider, founder of Bells of Bliss, has dedicated nearly two decades to studying the history, artistry, and therapeutic benefits of Himalayan singing bowls. A respected educator and creator of the Sound Medicine Academy, Beider has led hundreds of sound meditation experiences and will present Bells of Bliss, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the profound resonance of Himalayan singing bowls.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter, poet, painter, and storyteller John Terlazzo has been writing and performing for more than 50 years. His lyric-rich music has drawn comparisons to artists such as Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, blending contemporary folk with poetic storytelling that creates a deeply moving live experience.
Visitors can also experience a Community Sound Bath led by Jennifer Marks Muscato of Equilibrium Wellness, whose immersive sessions combine Himalayan and crystal singing bowls, drums, chimes, flutes, Shruti box, rattles, and live voice to create an atmosphere of relaxation, renewal, and connection.
Elise Underhill of Soul Shine will guide participants through Unity with the Breath, blending Pranayama breathing techniques with Wim Hof-inspired practices to help participants reconnect with their breath while feeling grounded, balanced, and energized.
Brandie Kristle Furniss, founder and Creative Director of The Body Oracle, brings more than 13 years of experience facilitating transformational healing events. Her Intro to Energy Medicine introduces guests to the body’s energetic systems while encouraging intuitive awareness through accessible, beginner-friendly practices.
Representing Amazing Mind Body Soul Center, Hayley Godfrey and Robin Blakesley will lead a Meditative Guided Activation & Sound Alchemy Journey, combining guided meditation and sound to create a shared experience centered on grounding, insight, and collective connection.
Guests are also invited to experience Qi Gong with Amanda Butler, who uses gentle movement, breathwork, and meditation to help participants cultivate balance, reduce stress, and strengthen the connection between body and mind.
The celebration also features the vibrant dance traditions of Claudia Shazadi, who will present energetic Carimbo Folkloric and Samba Dance performances throughout the day.
The event concludes with The Spheres, a local ensemble rooted in universal traditions. Featuring harmonium, mandolin, shruti box, guitar, djembe, and voice, the group creates an uplifting musical experience that celebrates connection, reverence, and community through sacred-inspired sound.
Whether visitors spend the entire day enjoying the performances or simply arrive in time for the world record attempt, organizers hope everyone leaves feeling inspired.
Registration for the Singing Bowl World Record Attempt remains open.
For more information, the complete schedule, or to register, visit www.DowntownCanandaigua.com.
