RickiJay

I agree with you 100%. The only thing you forgot to comment on is the Halloween costumes that are being used on the field now. I know I will be called an old fool, but if anyone here really wants to see/hear DRUM CORPS, watch one of the alumni shows. Okay, you can commence throwing the rotten tomatoes.

Wish we could have been there, it's the first time we have missed the Wildwood show since it started. Always a great show and one of the best beaches.

Yesterday (Sunday), my wife and I went up to Columbia County Community College to enjoy a day of watching our favorite Drum Corps practicing and then at the end of the day the full ensemble goes through the entire show and it is our chance to see them up close & personal. When we got to the school, we were greeted by a sandwich board sign that said the campus was closed due to electical problems, we drove through the campus to the regular practice area and sure enough, there was no one there. This is not a complaint, we're just sorry we missed the Cabs because we won't be able to be in Wildwood next weekend, I'm having some medical problems and will be undergoing surgery. Ann Marie looked on her iPad to try to find the new location of the practice, but it wasn't available on line...at least not to the general public. Good luck Hawthorne Caballeros in '18 season, we are shooting for the Kingston, NY show, hope to see you blow some faces off with that awesome volume.

We will be in Clifton in about 2 hours, does anyone know if there are any GOOD seats left? I went to Facebook and it says there to call Al Katz, I tried the number that is on the site, but it goes to an answering machine. If I don't hear from anyone in a while, maybe we will go over to the stadium and take our chances. Thanks a lot. GO CABALLEROS

Due to a previous appointment, we will be in Clifton for the Grand Prix Show, very early in the afternoon, by about 2:00 PM. Can someone tell me if we will be able to watch the Caballeros practice and where that practice will take place? I know that the corp welcomes anyone to visit practice sites, we were in Hudson a few weeks ago and spent Sunday at the community college, even thought we attend the Grand Prix every year, we are not very familiar with Clifton, so any help with directions is appreciated... we know how to get to the stadium. Thanks for your help.

Inspite of the threat of rain in the afternoon, and it was nice day and the rain never did materialize. We attended the Cabs practice in the afternoon at Coleman High School, it was real hot and the corp members worked their butts off. By showtime, the temperature was still up there, but the competition side of the field is in the shade and it was comfortable for the spectators. The show started out very slowly, but built up very nicely. Fusion Corps is polishing up their act for Labor Day Weekend, and they may end up right in the top 3, we were not crazy for their music but the flags were great and the "weapons" were tossed around with precision. The corps was very clean and enjoyable. I have been following The Caballeros for over 50 years since first seeing them at a show in Kingston and my wife and I now travel quite a bit to support and enjoy their shows and practice sessions, however inspite of the fact that I am not qualified to judge anything, I personally thought Fusion put a better overall show but I was happy to hear that The Cabs won. As a side note, I heard a man and his wife in the stands carrying on about "why these bands have to use swords and rifles" with children in attendance. GO FIGURE???

The show at Tanglewood last night was outstanding. The venue itself is just beautiful and the accoustics in "THE SHED" are unreal. The corps members on stage are some of the most talented kids in the country, I mean no disrespect to any of the other marching members, I just did not get to see their performances although I'm quite sure that those members are as talented in their capacity. I am no longer a fan of DCI for various reasons, but I will go to Tanglewood again next year if the show is presented again. By the way, while heading down the Taconic State Parkway last night, I think my ears passed me at about 80 MPH. I turned left after the 1812 Overature, they must have turned right. If you get a chance, go to a show like this, YOU DESERVE IT.

Just got home from Wildwood, NJ and the entire weekend was a winner. The weather was unbeliveable, warm day at the beach and cool night at the show. We attended the Cabelleros afternoon rehearsal and really enjoyed it, it helped us to appreciate their show at night. Since I am not schooled in either music or choreography, I can not say who was good or not. I can and will say that The Cabs really nailed it with their performance and I thought that they were a crowd pleaser. The best show of the night, my opinion only, was the Caballeros Alumni and I'm not sure, but I don't think they use any amplifiers. I hope the very large crowd ahd as much fun as we did...can't wait for Clifton.

Calm down everybody. No numbers in Wildwood...Who the hell cares, just enjoy yourselves. Like fecontra, we were at the caballeros camp on Sunday, as musically uneducated visitors. The weather made for a pretty uncomfortable day, cool and windy, but the corps worked their butts off and in my humble opinion, The Caballeros are ready, you will totally enjoy this show, there is this haunting melody that you will hear during the entire performance and then comes the finale. I think it is great. Just a disclaimer. We have no affiliation with the Hawthorne Caballeros or any other drum corps, DCA or DCI. We are just 2 people who have been following the activity for 46 years and we know when we are being entertained. GO CABS

We're headed to the Caballeros rehearsal this morning, can't wait to see what they have in store for us this season. We will be in Wildwood, NJ next weekend for the first DCA show of the year. The long range weather forecast sounds great, may even get in a little beach time.

Can anyone in the Caballeros organization tell me if the parade in Hudson was held today. At 2:00 oclock this afternoon, the sun was out down here and it turned into a beautiful day. If the parade was postponed until tomorrow, we are going to take a ride up there. Thanks

We just got home from going up to Hudson, so we could attend the Caballeros practice and then go to the parade. NOT Man it was pouring buckets, the drum line was outside in the parking lot rehearsing part of their drill and the rest of the corps was somewhere in one of the buildings????? I'm happy to be able to say that the drums were covered in plastic and looked ok to the casual observer, however the percussionists may not be dried out until they rehearse in the sun at Widwood. They may be able to have the parade tomorrow. If the weather cooperates we will try to make the trip again tomorrow, I need my Drum Corps fix, and nobody supplies a better high for me, than The Caballeros. Good luck for the 2016 season.

Thanks for the information John, I'll google it and I'm sure we will find the college. Also, I should have asked...will there be any tickets available to purchase for the Wildwood Show, at the rehersal in Hudson?

I'm looking for some information on The Hawthorne Caballeros practice and parade in Hudson, NY this year. Can anyone tell me where the practice field field will be and if the practice is open to non-members. Last year we sat in at the pactice in Wildwood for a couple of hours and we really enjoyed seeing the show come together and progress through the season. Thank you for the help and we hope to be in Hudson, NY for the practice & parade.

Just got off the phone ordering tickets for this concert. We're only about an hour away from Tanglewood, so going there is a breeze. In case anyone cares, James Taylor will be there the week before. I swore I would never attend another DCI MARCHING BAND (only MY opinion) show, so I get to hear the music in a real classy environment. BE WELL

You can't mention the Yankee Rebels without remembering their shows at the Dream Contest in the late 60's maybe early 70's. It was like the civil war never ended, and the judges were not going to let the grey boys win. The Yankee Rebels really knew how to entertain the crowds.

We were in Clifton last night and it was one of the best drum corp events we have attended in a long time. The preshow exhibitions were very enjoyable, most of the corps using G bugles, nothing like that sound. I am not a trained musician, and we are not directly associated with any corps at the show tonight. I leave the scoring to the judges, since they are the professionals, and I don't think I am qualified to say which corps is good or which is bad, however, I am capable of saying what I like. The order of finish for tonights show was what I would have thought it to be. There is nothing to get excited about in the Bush show. Hurc sounded really good and it appears that they are working hard. The Sun has risen, their show is grat sounding, and the uniforms and drill work well together. Cadets 2 were really on tonight and I don't remember seeing them look any better, I amnot a fan of Russian music, but Cadets2 does know how to deliver it. Fusion was probably the high lite of the show for me. They are constantly improving their music and drill...could use more colorful uniforms. The Caballeros, I admit to being a die hard Cabs fan since 1963 and there is "nothing that they do wrong" and man did they come close tonight. We sat in on their rehearsal most of the afternoon, and they worked their butts off in the hot sun and the work paid off as was evident last night. Go Cabs!!! Then we all saw the cream rise to the top. The Buccaneers are insanely good, the music is something we can all appreciate and the movement never stops...they are all over the field. OUTSTANDING. This only my opinion, and as they say we all have one of those and one #$%^&. I do hope that I didn't insult anyone and that you good people of DCP foums take this unofficial revue with a grain os salt. BE WELL

Thank you for the reply, trptmagnet. We are in the Poughkeepsie, NY area and attend a bunch of shows every summer. We haven't been able to go to Grand Prix in quite a long time due to things that happen in the summer months, but this year we purchased the tickets and made sure everyone in the family knew we would not be available on June 11. You are correct in saying that the Rt 17 ride is tough, it's worse than getting your finger nails pulled out with clam shells, we do that route twice a year when we go to the shore. Really looking forward to tonights show to see how everyone has progressed since Wildwood. Good luck to all competeing corps. I think we are in for a real treat when the Cabs & Alumni Cabs come on together. Best Wishes.

We are headed down to Clifton, NJ, on Saturday, already have our tickets. Can someone from up in the Hudson Valley or anywhere else, tell me the best way to go? We will get on the NYS Thruway at Newburg, and head south, so far that's correct, but then there are about 10 different ways to get to the stadium and they all include a couple very confusing twists and turns. Anybody got a favorite way to get there? Thanks a lot , in advance.

I am a self confessed Caballeros groupie, have been since 1963, that is my only affiliation with them or any other corps. We were in Hudson last week and Wildwood this past Saturday and we totally enjoyed the show in NJ. Niether my wife or I are schooled in any kind of music so we may not be cabale of passing judgement, but please allow me to say that the Cabs show was great, I also don't care for the uni's, but no one asked for my input. The Bucs show is totally fantastic and I think they all should be looking in their rear view mirrors....there's a purple intimidator coming up behind them quickly. If possible, get to a show this year. We will be in Strafford, CT next Saturday.

We took a ride today to attend the Flag Day parade in Hudson,NY, what a great afternoon. The parade left a lot to be desired, it's a small city and they did their best, and the weather was perfect. The best part of the day was finding Sky Alumni Corp practicing in a parking lot behind a bank. After they finished their practice and lined up for the parade, the Hawthorne Caballeros drum line started limbering up in their inimitable way, and then the horn line took over. HOLY COW, what a way to spend a day. They sounded awesome and I was told there was a full dress rehersal planed for tomorrow at 2:00 at he practice field in Hudson. WE WILL BE THERE. Now we can't wait for Wildwood, NJ

I agree Keith. This is only my opinion and I have no intension of getting in on any discussions here. I am not schooled in music or dance, I only know what I like. This is the first year since the late 60's that I have not attended a "junior" show. I am completely turned off by what these outrageous DIRECTORS and DESIGNERS have done to drum corps, it's like their ego trip is the only thing that drives them. Oh sure, there are some people who will tell us the good they are doing for these talented musicians, who I am sure are very talented kids, but what about the kids who can't go to college for whatever the reason, it used to be that there was always some cultural or church related organization that supplied an outlet for the street kids. I know, I know, times have changed... but we are all responsible for that change. If you ever want to see what drum corps used to be about, there is an upstart corps out of Port Chester, NY called THE SAINTS BRIGADE that epitomizes the activity. If you are not familiar with Port Chester, let me say that it is a hard to place to grow up. We are fortunate to have a very competitive high school band (Arlington, NY) in our area and we attend high school band contests and are completely entertained. Please forgive my rant. Best of luck to ALL DRUM CORPS in the future.

I'm with Ray on this post...except for the evil RED SOX "LOL". Congratulations to Frank & all the rest of the Caballeros for having a great season. As a NY Yankee fan, I am ready for a drum corp DYNASTY. Just got word that we may be able to make the trip to Rochester, about 5 hours north & west of Poughkeepsie. That's a long trip, so we may have to make a stop at some recreational spot. Can you say TURNING STONE ??

Fran, You missed a good show. The evening turned out to be very nice, not a drop of rain and really good attendance. We had the pleasure of being at the Caballeros practice most of the afternoon, wow, do those folks work hard. The hard work payed of though, later on that evening,the Cabs put on a show that was very entertaining, the uni change to Black/Red was classy. I'm not a musician or a teacher, so the following statements are ONLY mine and have no technical basis, but here goes. The Caballeros were great, they have been my perennial favorites for the last 55 years, but...look in your review mirror people. You will see a purple streak that is barreling toward you and the Bucs & MB, Fusion is on fire. Again, I am not schooled in any of the performing arts, but I have been watching them progress for a while now and I'm thinking somebody turned over the correct rock and found the ingredients for a terrific show. Good luck FUSION, and thanks for the entertaining show The low point of the evening came as soon as the bushwackers entered the field, please remember my claim, THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION and not meant to start any trouble. The first part of corps name is very fitting when it comes to their presentation. The Bushwackers show is BUSH league. I mean no disrespect to the performers on the field, BUT, these show designers have no right to preach to me without including an ON/OFF button. I (and everyone sitting around us) don't care what you think about the world problems, I spent $ 40.00 dollars tonight so my wife and I would be entertained, not educated (?). I'm positive there are many fine marching members of the Bushwackers, the music was wonderful and the flags were very good, I'm sorry if I insulted any of you fine entertainers, but there is no place in this genre for an opening like I saw last night. The Caballeros Alumni corps was worth price of admission alone, what can be said about this corps that you folks have not already heard. All in all, we are very fortunate to have a contest of this caliber in the Hudson Valley, and the Chidrens Home of Kingston, NY was the benefactor of the proceeds. On a different note, we ot to meet 'granada smoothie"... Thanks for the nice welcome Rodger. I tried to support you guys at the souvie table, but the shirt I wanted was not available, but my wife bought a Caballeros hat and I'm going to check the web site for the shirt. Sorry for the long rant, good luck to all corps on Labor Day weekend. Rick

Hey Liz, The ice cream shop is still there. But if you really want a treat, cross the bridge and go to HOLY COW, in Red Hook. The best ice cream around and prices you won't believe, for a small establishment in a tiny town, the shop has been visited by many celebraties. We live down the road, in Poughkeepsie, about 20 miles away, and we feel very strongly about supporting "local" business.