Guitar Center Partners with Drum Workshop for “DW Factory Day” on October 21

Guitar Center is partnering with Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW), one of the world’s preeminent manufacturers of drums and drum hardware.

WHAT: “DW Factory Day,” a day-long event open to the public, featuring one-day-only factory pricing, facility and showroom tours, artist clinics, special events, raffles/giveaways (from DW, PDP, LP, Zildjian, Remo, Vic Firth), local food trucks, and much more! Guitar Center will be serving as the exclusive vendor for all gear purchased through the event, offering special pricing on drums and gear available at the event, in-store and by phone, Oct. 21 only. Guitar Center Lessons personnel will also be on hand to offer free consultation and lesson services. Noted drummer Curt Bisquera (Mick Jagger, Elton John, Tom Petty) will serve as host.

Factory Day attendees can experience the full factory tour, where they will see the entire process of drum making from start to finish, hear about the 50-plus-year history of the company, see how drum hardware is made and visit the showroom of DW drums. On display are legendary drum kits including the last kit Rush drummer Neil Peart ever played. DW created the R40 drum set to celebrate Neil Peart’s 40 years with Rush, and it’s now on permanent display to honor one of the greatest drummers of all time.

A Drum Battle competition will also be held and is open to all comers (sign up from 10 a.m. to noon; 20 spots available), with prizes from DW, Zildjian & Guitar Center. Judges will include notable drummers Satnam Ramgotra, Mario Calire, Joe Travers, Joey Heredia, Curt Bisquera, Kenny Aronoff and Don Lombardi (DW co-founder).

The day will feature performances from legendary drummer Russ Kunkel, who will perform at the “Drum Channel Presents” stage at 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., each also including a Q&A session with DW co-founder John Good. (Signups for the 11 a.m. session will be available starting 9:30 a.m. and are first-come, first-served). Other performers throughout the day will include Curt Bisquera and Ray Yslas, as well as Gerald Heyward.

WHERE: DW Headquarters, 3450 Lunar Ct., Oxnard, CA 93030.

WHEN: Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 12 to 5 p.m. PDT (tickets and signups for the specific events including Drum Battle begin as early as 9:30 a.m.).

Visit https://www.guitarcenter.com/DW-Factory-Day.gc for more information and a detailed itinerary.