Pioneer19

I dunno, the major complaints are really easy to get over, IMO: -Buzzing lights. After a while you can zone them out if you focus your attention on the field. -Long lines. It's to be expected when you pack 30k people into just one side of a stadium. BTW, if you think lines at the RB were bad, you may want to steer clear of ball games at Dodger Stadium. You can miss three innings getting a [$10] beer. My biggest complaint was with folks who continually hopscotched seats during the night. My buddy must have had five different people sitting next to him over the course of Finals night. The whole point of a reserve ticketing system is that you don't sit in a seat that isn't yours.

Aww, come on. That's not a fair thing to say about LA. Besides, they actually had one of the nicest places to stay/rehearse near South Pasadena.

I had to verify this and checked google... the following LA Times piece (actually a very well written article about DCI being in Pasadena) briefly mentions the incident at Pioneer's housing site. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-et-co...l=la-home-local What a shame that someone would bust into their housing site. :( *edited for filter circumvention. -KM*

Typically, you can bring in water in containers less than one liter with the original factory seal. You're also allowed to bring in a sack lunch with no problems. The weather should be in the 80s during the day (the sun is harsh tho, take sunscreen) and in usual Southern California fashion, the sea breeze comes in at night and the temps cool down to nice sweater weather in the upper 60s to low 70s.

I don't know what the big deal is. The corps don't necessarily perform under the same field conditions from show to show during the touring season; why should we all expect that a host stadium for finals adhere to some magical set of viewing guidelines?

This is what happens when the CEO of an organization (Acheson) answers to a Board of Directors who are all directly involved with the competing corps. If it were an independent board (not the executive directors of the corps) there wouldn't be such a conflict of interest.

http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_220014823.html

Rawr! What a sweet show! I was about ready to pee my pants watching the Kingsmen. They look and sound amazing. Be prepared this Friday if you weren't there tonight to see 'em. The other 'magic' moment (for me!) was that Pioneer graced us with not one, but TWO, exhibition performances. I was so excited seeing my old corps perform for the first time since I last marched with them that I couldn't stop shaking the entire time. It's amazing how seeing them (even though I no longer know anyone in the corps) brought back so many emotions. ####, I love this activity.

Thanks for posting this. He truly is missed. I remember when 'Canos won D2 at DCM Finals in 1999 and I was with him in the DeKalb stands to hear the announcement—he was so excited. I gave him the biggest congratulatory hug. He's the reason I marched drum corps.

or at least spend it in a way that fits with the organization's mission statement/intent. does DCI even have one?

What are the items worth checking out at the drum corps marketplace at the Rose Bowl this week? I'm hoping the corps are using simpler designs for their t-shirts. =D

Haha, I kinda enjoyed this and got a nice little chuckle out of it. Then again, I also root for Pioneer =)

I was just at Pioneer's rehearsal and caught their final run through for the evening. At 7pm it was breezy and actually sweater-weatherish in the shade!

I ran to Pioneer's housing location (Blair High School in Pasadena) after work this evening and caught their final run through for the night. They were looking and sounding great. They'll be doing laundry tonight, apparently. Say hi to 'em if you see them around town. :)

You are a saint! :D I can't wait to finally see my own corps here in my backyard.

I noticed they did this when I marched Pioneer 99. The pointed toe was used as a prep, as well (from what I can remember). I used to love watching them hit that prep... they all looked like cute little ponies. =P

Hehe, the 1999 show has a special place in my heart, too. :)

Mmm... Runny peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Taco salad, while it tasted great, looks really gnarly when it comes back up after intense post-lunch breathing exercises.

Rock on Pioneer! Just saw the latest scores and I'm diggin' it. Can't wait to see the corps in Pasadena. I'll take them some Gatorade... most def! :)

I wholeheartedly agree... rent a car. I'm a proponent of using public transportation, especiallyin Los Angeles where most people seem to be glued at the waist to their cars... but for visitors, you'll get the most out of your visit by taking a rental around. The LA area's got lots to offer. There's a post with lots of suggestions. I would recommend taking in a stroll at the beach, trying Pinkberry frozen yogurt and checking out one of the museums (Huntington or Getty). Have a blast here in So Cal!

Holy cow! Pioneer totally scored with their housing. They're right in the thick of it... and only 10 minutes away from my place. Here's to volunteering during DCI week! :)

I haven't been to Knott's Berry Farm in years. This may just be the event that takes me back to the OC for the first time this summer! Hellz yeah there better be t-shirts for this.

I would recommend Burbank out of any of the airports in the LA area if you are looking to avoid super long lines and traffic. I would imagine most folks traveling to Pasadena will be staying in the area... honestly, BUR makes the most sense. Southwest Airlines has tons of flights in/out of Burbank, too. If you've got the time you can also hit up In-N-Out and one of the 2 Kwik-E-Marts in LA on your way there!

Rehearsing in El Monte will put the corps pretty close to the show site, which is nice when you've gotta take LA traffic into consideration. As for the area itself, it's mainly a working class suburb with a huge Latino community. Because it's in the San Gabriel Valley it'll be a little warmer and smoggier than parts of the city out west.

Haha, they're not going to house corps in Tijuana or Ensenada.