Jeanette Pagliuco is ready to break the world record for attending the most live musical concerts in a week.
The self-described music fanatic from Reston aims to exceed the current record of 21 live performances by attending 26 or 27 shows around the D.C. region, starting tomorrow (Friday) through Aug. 9.
When she moved to Northern Virginia from Connecticut to be closer to her adult son about one-and-a-half years ago, she immediately found and got involved in what was then called the Reston Going Out Group, Pagliuco told FFXnow.
“I quickly became friends with a lot of people in the group and I would always make suggestions because I quickly figured out what bands and venues were really good,” Pagliuco said. “I’ve always loved music, but when I came here, there’s so much [music] and it’s every day, everywhere and it’s every genre.”
Soon after she joined the group, the organizer and founder asked Pagliuco to take over since she was so entrenched in the music scene. One of the first orders of business was to change the name to NoVA Live Music Mingle, a move that added nearly 300 more members to the group, according to Pagliuco.
She says the topic of the world record came up naturally one week when she had multiple meetups scheduled. People at the meetup asked, “How many [shows] can you do in a week?” Now, she’s just a day away from answering that question.
Before she could attempt any record-breaking, though, Pagliuco had to apply with Guinness World Records. To qualify, she had to find more than 21 publicized live performances in a seven-day period that will take place in a venue that’s known for music and holds more than 200 people.
“I picked specific genres of music that I don’t normally listen to, so I’m kind of going outside of my comfort zone,” Pagliuco said. “I wanted to make sure I had a good mix because…the people in my meetup group love my style of music.”
Typically a fan of rock musicians and bands, she wanted to push herself and the meetup group to expand their musical horizons.
“When I told them I was attempting to do this, I said, ‘You know what? This is not going to be music that you and I all know and love,'” she explained. “Music is my passion, and I feel like it’s not going to matter what type of music it is, because just being there, once the music is flowing, it just uplifts you.”
In addition to just attending the event, Pagliuco said she will be live-streaming the performances on her newly created YouTube channel, @dclivemusic scene, and collecting witness statements to verify her presence.
For those interested in following Pagliuco’s journey to break the world record, here is the list of events she’ll be going to in Fairfax County.
Friday, Aug. 2
- Battle of the Bands Finals, 8 p.m. at Jammin’ Java (227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna)
Saturday, Aug. 3
- Collective Band, 6:30 p.m. at Starr Hill Tysons Biergarten (1805 Capital One Drive South, Suite 1100, Tysons)
- The Gathering Gloom, 8 p.m. at Earp’s Ordinary (10420 Main Street, Fairfax)
Sunday, Aug. 4
- Dan Blanchet Acoustic, 2 p.m. at Starr Hill Tysons Biergarten
- Emma G, 5 p.m. at Earp’s Ordinary
Monday, Aug. 5
- Six One Five Collective, 6:30 p.m. at Jammin’ Java
Wednesday, Aug. 7
- The Road Ducks, 7 p.m. at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station)
Thursday, Aug. 8
- Chuck Mead Solo, 7:30 p.m. at Jammin’ Java
- Never Elected Odd Suns & Jupiter Lights, 9 p.m. at Earp’s Ordinary
