A Harlem Tale

Randall's Island lies just a few hundred yards from the epicenter of the Harlem Renaissance, in the shadow of the Tri-Boro Bridge. I used to imagine that Ellington's music could have drifted over from 125th Street back in the day, or Basie's, or perhaps even a few licks from Bird or Dizzy, practicing in the late afternoon in some walk-up with the windows open. I never actually heard any of that, but Randall's was often filled with great music of another kind when I was a young man, music both exciting and intense: drum corps music.

Even then, open space in New York City was at a premium. The giant shopping malls (all 2 of them) with their expansive parking lots were far out in the suburbs, and corps had little chance of accessing the high school football facilities. But there were acres of fields and paved lots on Randall's, encircling Downing (now Ichan) Stadium, the Mecca for blue-collar sports like Irish rugby and the All-City High School Football Championships.

Cozy’s DCA Planet

by Cozy Baker

DCA goes to Pittsburgh, W-S, Annapolis, Baltimore, Indy, Cincy, L.A.?

"I always give myself such very good advice, but I very seldom follow it." ~ Alice per Lewis Carroll, “Alice In Wonderland”

Defying Journalism 101; i.e., introduction paragraph, I’m just going straight into a talons flailing philippic like the orations of Demosthenes against Philip of Macedon in the Fourth Century B.C. Some of our DCPlanet posters belong on not-wanted posters…Hmm, I just wrote an intro paragraph.

The next column in the works had lots of names, many corps mentioned, but then Sara Julian’s promised story rolled in and superseded all in importance. Superseded is the appropriate word. From Latin, supersedere means “to sit above.” Julian’s accomplishments are above most anyone else’s. Julian’s touching chronicle will put a lump in your throat, hopefully the only lump you’ll find.

Watch the Martha Stewart show Monday, Oct. 2, regarding breast cancer, if you get a chance. Sara Julian is in the audience. Read on for Julian’s heart-warming inspirational documentary.

Despite the Saturday rain, DCA 2006 was one “Hades of a weekend.” The energy of everyone in attendance, performers and fans, was unlike anything I have ever seen under such trying conditions.

With your indulgence, I want to use this space to thank a few folks who usually fall under the acknowledgement radar. First, Tim James, Director of Sales for the Greater Rochester Visitors Association. Most of my GRVA contact was with Tim. He was always a source of sincere appreciation and understanding. Could not have been more necessary than for 2006.