Regionals Anyone?

[amfgx]

Thanks so much for the confirmation...!!!

As I said previously, this "singing" in gibberish makes perfect sense for Flanagan's show.

I'll make sure that I'm listening for it the next time I see their show.

Thanks, again...!!!

WOO!

Nothing quite like bringing things to people's attention!

I think I deserve a gold medal just for that LOL

[Mr. Know it all]

Nothing quite like bringing things to people's attention! I think I deserve a gold medal just for that LOL

I agree 10,000%.

First thing tomorrow, I'll contact the WGI Executive Committee and recommend that you receive via the U.S. mail an official WGI Gold Medal for "Scholastic World Class Viewing Prowess at a Regional Event."

Many thanks for mentioning the "rumor" about Flanagan's "singing" during their program.

[amfgx]

I agree 10,000%.

First thing tomorrow, I'll contact the WGI Executive Committee and recommend that you receive via the U.S. mail an official WGI Gold Medal for "Scholastic World Class Viewing Prowess at a Regional Event."

Many thanks for mentioning the "rumor" about Flanagan's "singing" during their program.

lol. I'll be waiting! I'm expecting that medal to be sent via 24-hr mail!

[dugg]

a small dish from dayton......

carmel is beautiful on so many levels.the staging is impecably designed and the performers are extremely well trained in technique.the intellectual qualities appear simple but are quite complex and profound.this program is completely thought out from start to finish!

and btw,my favourites are loving interplay's andy williams redeaux [ind open from grand rapids michigan]!

Edited February 10, 2009 by dugg

[PrfctTimeOfDay]

a small dish from dayton......

carmel is beautiful on so many levels.the staging is impecably designed and the performers are extremely well trained in technique.the intellectual qualities appear simple but are quite complex and profound.this program is completely thought out from start to finish!

and btw,my favourites are loving interplay's andy williams redeaux [ind open from grand rapids michigan]!

here's a bit more dayton dish for you. . though it's kinda off topic. Rumor has it that the local hockey team in Dayton is looking to build and new arena/venue downtown. It would be right next to the crowne plaza and would connect via a skywalk to the convention center and the crowne plaza. The arena is looking to seat about 6k which would make it a very viable site for a regional or place for prelims come WGI champs. While you won't read about the nitty-gitty details on this, I happen to know that those in charge of the project are taking into account WGI and are designing it so that it can be utilized by winterguards. That would put 2 venues essentially right next to each other (convention center and the new arena). . both sites would connect to crowne plaza and be less than 2 miles from UD arena. Stay tuned to see if this project actually materializes. . .until then, here's a rendering of the arena:

Edited February 10, 2009 by PrfctTimeOfDay

[Will]

While I didn't attend in person - here are my thoughts on the finalists from the Dayton Regional:

Avon - WOW. I love this show! Will it win?? hhmmm I don't know. I don't really care anymore. I just like them and am thrilled they are doing so well.

Center Grove - not what I was expecting. Cool floor - left a little something to be desired.... it's early though. I'll cheer for them regardless.

Milford (OH) - LOVE IT! Pure fun and a brilliant thought out concept. I sure hope to see this on the finals dvd.

Interplay - probably my favorite show this year, this far. Just amazing!! I hope they win it all in April.

Milton Union - wonderful flag work.... it appears that perhaps Michael Lentz (of Onyx) has stopped by??? Regardless, a lovely show.

O2 - again, classic Michael Lentz flag work. Just gorgeous... staging is brilliant. Finals?? I think so.

Lake Central Open - well trained ladies... beautiful show.

Kings - love it, love it, love it! One of my favorite Kings shows..... might just be the soundtrack.... the ladies move wonderfully and the writing is simple, yet effective.. I can't help thinking they would slaughter in A class, but might get lost in the shuffle in Open. I hope not.

Ventures - YAY!!! I love this show! A tad dirty, but our Canadian neighbors know how to clean a show. I can't wait to see this in April!

Zydeco - reminded me of Pride of Cincinnati 1999 (the Beyond the Rainbow show)..... at least in terms of the music and costumes. I like the beginning alot.. and the floor is great. The flag work felt somewhat inappropriate.... I'll predict top 10 in April.

[dugg]

regarding zydeco,i loved it! especially the flag feature at 4:37-4:54.one of my favorite moments,a frenzy of controlled visual chaos intricataly designed and musicaly thrilling!

Edited February 11, 2009 by dugg

[dfprguard14]

Any word on the Houston Regionals?

[dugg]

Interplay - probably my favorite show this year, this far. Just amazing!! I hope they win it all in April.

i actually reacted with laughter and shouted out loud during this program!

i especially loved the musical reference to the lyrics "shows of long long ago" performed to a flag/rifle head chop!priceless!

[KDavis82]

I attended the regional (and was surprised by the lack of people in the audience. Way less than last years numbers.) I hope this is not indicative of what WGI finals numbers will be like, or WGI could be hurting even more.

Avon is just fantastic. They look bigger than in years past, and they fill up the stage wonderfully. From an ensemble perspoective this is one of the most seamless shows I have ever seen. Their music (by Mahler) is beautifully intense, and the performers embrase the "Release" theme to a T. The weapon writing is so well thought out, and they fulfill these demanding phrases effortlessly. I hope they take the gold this year, regardless of whether Logan is coming back or not. These ladies (and gentleman) are on fire. Once again!

Miamisburg is great too, and definitely throwing back to some of their late 90 hits. They are fully prepared for this early in the season. Their set design is really interesting with the idea of the Collisseum (sp?) in the back right corner. It looks digitally done, so they have pulled out all the stops. I will say I grew a little weary of the non-stop tossing from the weapons. Yes, they can toss, but it would be nice to see some great World-class vocabulary out there as well. Neverless, they are performing strongly and should be a contender for 2-5 this year at finals.

Carmel is doing a show about Good Luck performed on a tarp of greens and rust tones. The sabre line at Carmel is ridiculous. Those ladies clearly have some of the best training in the class, if not the best. The soundtrack was a little blah for me, although the acapella version of Danny Boy is lovely - for the first minute. This is a feel good show with great choreography and a nice Irish-themed look. I am not sure if they can overtake Miamisburg, however I do think they can place in the top 5. Easily.

Center Grove, oh dear. I cannot speak poorly of Center Grove as they're a perennial favorite of mine, however this is not the Center Grove of late. The costumes, floor, flags and emotional impact from the colorguard left a bit to be desired. I pray they can find their spark and turn this show around. I personally would have had them lower, and was told by many people they felt the same way.

Warren Central is going to be quite good, they just have a lot of cleaning to do (and maybe some parts to be reevaluated? Or perhaps that was the chaos intent?) Their soundtrack is not the easiest thing to listen to for 5 minutes, however the girls have an exciting, raw energy that comes off of the floor. Especially from their talented rifle line (double time for days). The floor cover is stunning as well. I would have had them a bit higher.

Centerville was a big surprise for me, in a good way. Quite the departure from their feel-good shows of the past, this brooding production focused heavily on their strong dance skills and talented weapons. Although it appeared a little unfinished in some spots this is overall a really cool show. The use of the apples is intruiging, and their solo male performer (yes, Centerville has a guy too) nailed what looked to be a blade five in the hilt. I can see them easily in the top 10 this year at WGI if they finish the show, and clean it up. I would have had them much higher (along with WC.)

Northmont, sadly I missed this program (had to take a potty break!) I know they're wearing browns and golds and performing a show to really interesting msic with doors all over the floor.

Ventures had a really entertaining show set to Emmy Rossum's Slow Me Down. The performers really are into the show, which helps. Unfortunately I am not sure that this had an IW class design. They did have an lovely ending flag in blue yellow and white that was beautiful to watch spin. The talent level of the kids just seemed down a bit from in years past (when they were in the IO class), or maybe they just had an off finals run. I felt that the soundtrack also never went anywhere. It's a great piece, but it felt the same from beginning to end. I applaud their efforts though and hope over the next few weeks they can make some changes/detailing that will allow them to sneak into the lower half of IW finals.

Zydeco is wow, wow, wow. Their music is intense, mysterious and bombastic. The costumes are simple, but have a shiny, slightly wet-look to them which is interesting - and a lot of skin showing on some people. What struck me most about this group was their movement. I am not sure I have ever seen a World Class unit with this much dance in their show, being performed at a really high level. A poster below wrote that the flag work felt innappropriate, however I was there, saw it in person, and would strongly disagree. It was musical, lyrical, risky and entertaining. I am not sure what's inappropriate about that? Overall this was the show of the day for me (along with Avon) and I could easily see this group (that placed 7th last year with a much less intellectual, sophisticated or demanding show) placing in the top 3-5 this year at WGI. Espoecially since two powerhouse players (Pride and Fantasia) are not out.

I'd like to say good job to all the talented performers, everyone here in the Mid-West is certainly off to a strong start. Looking forward to seeing more groups in Indiana!

Avon - WOW. I love this show! Will it win?? hhmmm I don't know. I don't really care anymore. I just like them and am thrilled they are doing so well.

Center Grove - not what I was expecting. Cool floor - left a little something to be desired.... it's early though. I'll cheer for them regardless.

Milford (OH) - LOVE IT! Pure fun and a brilliant thought out concept. I sure hope to see this on the finals dvd.

Interplay - probably my favorite show this year, this far. Just amazing!! I hope they win it all in April.

Milton Union - wonderful flag work.... it appears that perhaps Michael Lentz (of Onyx) has stopped by??? Regardless, a lovely show.

O2 - again, classic Michael Lentz flag work. Just gorgeous... staging is brilliant. Finals?? I think so.

Lake Central Open - well trained ladies... beautiful show.

Kings - love it, love it, love it! One of my favorite Kings shows..... might just be the soundtrack.... the ladies move wonderfully and the writing is simple, yet effective.. I can't help thinking they would slaughter in A class, but might get lost in the shuffle in Open. I hope not.

Ventures - YAY!!! I love this show! A tad dirty, but our Canadian neighbors know how to clean a show. I can't wait to see this in April!

Zydeco - reminded me of Pride of Cincinnati 1999 (the Beyond the Rainbow show)..... at least in terms of the music and costumes. I like the beginning alot.. and the floor is great. The flag work felt somewhat inappropriate.... I'll predict top 10 in April.