cabalumnidrummer

I'm sorry , but I have to differ with those who said it was a big crowd, 'packed stands,' etc. on Saturday night. From the field, it was obvious that the crowd was fairly small. As sometimes happens at many shows where there are many casual spectators and not 'hard core' drum corps fans, the grandstand was fairly full (though not packed) from the entrance ramp to about the fifty yard line. Beyond the fifty (the old "starting line side"), the stands were virtually empty. It was noticeable enough to cause most of us to lament how small the total crowd was, considering the bargain price of just $5. As we stood at the gate waiting to enter the field, even some of the volunteers were commenting to us about the disappointing crowd turnout. One of them said, "You can't go to a movie for that price!" Five competing corps plus three exhibitions for $5 is unheard of for most shows. As Andy Lisko pointed out, this is but one event in the whole Barnum Festival each year. Perhaps the drum corps show doesn't have the allure of some of the other Barnum events for the general public. Even at just $5, that's more that the grand street parade on Sunday, which is free to all. All that being said, I agree with RickiJay. It was a great night for a drum corps show, every corps performed well, and the crowd that was there certainly got at least eight times more than their money's worth of entertainment. Drum corps folks from the area need to continue to support this show before it disappears. Thank you, Bridgeport and the Barnum Festival Committee. Let's hope the Barnum Festival contest continues for many more years to come.

Not only is Frank NOT a whiner, I've seen him march and perform several times when others would skip a show, through shingles, sore throats, arthritic aches and pains, etc. A lesser person would have taken himself out of the show entirely last night, not just out of the drill. As for the unfortunate penalty, no harm done -- the corps' placement was unaffected, and now we all know the rule for the future. Frank is a gamer, a fierce competitor. He doesn't need me to defend him, but I just couldn't let that comment go unanswered.

IMO, Not really. I respectfully disagree. They do, in fact, prance, jump, tumble, dance and occasionally even march. They may not deserve to be called that, and I agree it can be annoying to someone like yourself, but calling someone who disagrees with you "very stupid" is quite a bit more disrespectful. But that's just my opinion.

Really, Liz? Stupid? Just because they are older, marched in a different era from you, and have a different opinion? Great way to win folks over to your side. Today's corps are different and great in their own way. Those folks who marched in a different era may not care for the style of modern drum corps, just as they may not care for the pop music that today's generation loves. I don't think that makes them stupid.

From the looks of them last night, I would say yes. If not, they were definitely styled after the Bluecoats' old jackets.

I'm hoping that includes a new repertoire of his 'stand-up' comedy material. Looking forward to seeing you on Friday and hoping you'll be joining us for dinner.

The Hawthorne Alumni are in Morris Plains, NJ on Saturday morning, and Hawthorne on Monday afternoon. I'm going to try marching at least part of the way in both, but my best parade days are behind me thanks to a back operation, hip replacement, and ongoing arthritis. My first Memorial Day parade was probably 1961. Hard to believe we're still doing this all these years later.

Yes, Please! ( Gasp . . . gasp! )

Any more clues about the man in the middle? I have no idea who he is, and I thought Andy had it with his guess.

I agree with you, Keith. I saw them twice in 1976 and though they were clearly not the same corps they were in '75, they were still quite good. You don't suppose it had anything at all to do with the events of 1975 in Philadelphia, do you? Just wondering out loud. />

It should be a calm gathering since Mr. Triples will be unable to attend. The 'Poulsen Rule' is, in fact, temporarily suspended for the evening. (You do know that I was very close to being a Sunriser myself before I was kidnapped, stuffed in a car, and whisked off to NJ one Friday night in January of '66, right? If not, remind me to tell you the story). Looking forward to the show and our gathering afterwards.

Just saw this on my Yahoo home page in Yahoo News. Way to go, Chet! http://news.yahoo.co...-185600350.html

The 'Mr. X' on the right also taught St. Catherine's Queensmen before his young protege, John Sasso, took over in their last years. I don't know who the gentleman in the middle is, but when the man on the right is finally identified, I'll be quite surprised if it turns out to be who I believe it is.

Hi Tony! Thanks for the 'shout out' at the end of our show! Not to pressure you or anything, but when do you think we'll get to see some of your pictures or video from the Stinger? See you in York next week. Smitty

Hi Tony. Unfortunately, Linda can't make it to the two stage shows this month. Her first opportunity for taking pictures and video will be the Cabs At the Beach show in Wildwood in June. I'll be looking for you next week when we get our stage time in the afternoon. Regards to Donna. Now where did I pack that GW badge before we moved???

I have to admit, the first three (DCA, DCI, WGI) weren't all that inconceivable, but as soon as the Mummers strutted into the mix, I knew it had to be April Foolishness. Still, got my attention! Good one!

Less than a week to go before our 2013 season starts at the "Stinger." Looking forward to seeing you and Donna, Tony. I presume you'll have your traditional front row seat?

Your post struck a chord with me when I read it, Don. I find this to be such a great sentiment. My entire family was involved in drum corps on the neighborhood level at one time or an other, so I was more fortunate than you in that regard. However, I am sure there are many more folks out there who, like you, 'found a family' in the activity. Our friendship is a good example of the reach of our 'hobby.' Though we have never met personally, through this forum, e-mails and 'snail mail,' we have become close in this 'brotherhood' we call drum corps. Competitors in years past who never met, we are both part of the larger drum corps 'family community.' What a terrific notion to take with us into the new year! To you, my friend, and all who read and contribute to this forum, I wish a very happy, healthy, prosperous and productive New Year in 2013!

Even though I came late to the party, I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday Nanci, before it's too late!

Hey Fran, you mean you didn't do that show last April??? :tongue:/> So how was it announcing Saturday in Plymouth??? :winky:/>

Subject #474 has marched alongside me most of the 18 years we've been in the Cabs Alumni together. He is in fact on my right in the pictures and videos from Plymouth. Given his family's name, it's no surprise he wound up in drum corps. They all should be able to 'march easily' with their surname! />

No review is 'useless' to those of us who perform in and teach the Alumni Corps, Cathie. Early and mid-season reviews especially help us get an objective view of our show and enable us to focus on improvements. After all, we are not judged, except by the audiences. Though yours comes at the end of our outdoor exhibition season, thank you for your enthusiastic review of the show. Reviews such as yours give us great satisfaction to know that our fans enjoy what we have put on the field for them, and may even influence decisions regarding future routines. It's all good when anyone reviews a performance and gives us the outside observer's point of view. For example, can you believe that there were some misgivings about combining 'The Prayer' and 'Argentina' initially? Comments like yours only serve to confirm that the right decision was made last winter! Thank you for taking the time to put your thoughts on DCP. Too bad you didn't get to see Blessed Sacrament, Toronto and the Rebels -- They are great corps too, and I know they would have appreciated your comments as well. Please continue to submit your reviews when you can. Fun for you to write them and fun for us to read. All the corps appreciate them, I am sure!

I'm flattered and honored by your statement. Thank you!

Thanks for posting this! That year (2009) we had not finished the drill in time for the Grand Prix. With the the closing drill, 'Flamenco' was/is even better! Both Jeff Ream and Big W are both fans who are very generous in their reviews and praise of our corps, and they are right, we do it for the pure enjoyment, not to compete. We are proud to take the field as representatives of the Hawthorne tradition. Crowds at the shows demonstrate their appreciation of what we do each time we appear. Just as Big W explains with the Indy Cars metaphor, I like to think of ourselves as a sort of 'living history' -- and the people enjoy it. That pride in what we do will be on the field again this Sunday at the Alumni Spectacular. I hope you are able to catch our performance live, and come by to say hello.

I know! Two brass lacquer and two chrome -- non-uniformity issues.