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R.I.P. Mr. Lindstrom you made an impact in our activity.

Makes me very sad.

The year I went to Atlanta, it was a beautiful day, sunny, about 82 degrees. I found it perfect, friends who live in Atlanta found it too cool, though not quite chilly. I wished the show was outdoors that day. A few years later, I got caught in the infamous deluge of Allentown, which reminded me of a show at Met Life Stadium in 2012 which seemed like Armageddon was about to begin. Since that time I’ve concluded shows that are within driving distance which in my case is usually less than an hour, let the rains fall because you can’t control Mother Nature. If I have to travel and stay in a hotel, domes whenever possible, even though I’ll complain about too much amplification at the domed stadiums.

There has been a decline in the number of shows in the Northeast for about ten years. Each year one or two shows will be removed. DCI would like to see fewer shows in larger venues that are centrally located. It does make sense on paper, but paper and reality can be two different things. I can’t speak for Buffalo or Rome, but most of the Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Eastern PA shows are in small to midsized venues with loyal and dedicated crowds who, as show sponsors will tell you do spend money and do donate to two corps that host many of the shows (BAC and Cadets), however the shows do not appear to be as crowded as they used to be and parking seems to be easier. So unless people have lost weight and are carpooling, numbers are down. I am also basing my observations on 2019 and prior, not 2021 which was an exception. What I have noticed over the years is the newer shows tend to be where high school bands are strongest. I also attended NIGHTbeat and Atlanta a few years back and kids from high school programs fill the stands at both shows. That’s a demographic many of the Northeast shows have not been able to tap, even Allentown.

Wonderful scene today at the celebration of Rod Goodhart's life with his USAF Drum Corp contemporary Jim Dinkins sharing stories about Rod with Rod's family.

https://ascendperformingarts.org/blue-knights-mourn-the-passing-of-george-lindstrom/?fbclid=IwAR27roh0uapXN0fSOg458j5qseZIGbl6sL6Ztwyv6zl6Hg2rC1L7bWy8gEs

well looks like Allentown and a lot of buffering on Flo