Torontonians hope they can-can dance into record book
Last Updated: Thursday, November 9, 2006 | 3:59 PM ET
CBC News
The Radio City Rockettes are helping Toronto kick its way into the Guinness World Records book Thursday as the longest single line of dancers.
Initial numbers show they may have broken the record.
Torontonians attempt to kick their way into the Guinness World Records book Thursday.
(Canadian Press)
Just before 9 a.m., hundreds of people linked their arms in a line that circled around the Front Street Hummingbird Centre and performed the can-can for five minutes straight.
The final number of participants was 1,715, not as high as organizers expected, but enough to break the record.
A German group currently holds the record after 1,150 participants kicked up their heels in Stein, Germany, on July 30, 2004. Organizers in Toronto had hoped to break the record with more than double the number of dancers.
The Toronto group must now apply for record-holding status.
Among the participants Thursday were a former Rockette, now living in Ontario, a 94-year-old woman and Toronto mayoral candidate Stephen LeDrew.
Thursday is the second annual Guinness World Records Day, with thousands of people attempting to make or break new standards around the globe.
The Rockettes are a well-known dance company based out of Radio City Music Hall in New York City. They're known for their Christmas show and annual performances at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and other major events.
The performers are in Toronto for their Canadian debut at the Hummingbird Centre from Nov. 14 to Dec. 31.
