MiamiNight

SFWGA Premier Night: I was only able to see the National classes as I'm affiliated with a local performing unit. From what I remember: 3rd (Nat'l A) - Coral Glades - "Free Fallin'" - A decent performance and a clear step up from the local units. Some good GE moments, but overall not a competitor for WGI Finals. 2nd - Cypress Bay "Papa's Roses" - Cute show on a small floor. One of the main weapons had an injury and couldn't spin. Wasn't noticeable for me until a minute into the show. Hopefully she recovers quickly. Strong semi-finalist, but not enough I don't think for a finals run. 1st - Spanish River "A Day in the Park" - A clear Adam Sage production. Well put-together, although the umbrellas may have taken a little away from the equipment focus. Also, somewhat of a discrepancy in performer's levels. This is a finalist contender. 2nd (IA) - Medea "Uniform Grey" - Lots of tummy from some of the ladies. A lot of focus on flexibility tricks, and I think that may have ultimately hurt them. A good showing though for their first year back. Not a finished production, but a nice showing. 1st - FIU - "If I Lay Here" - Hopefully, it was just the uniforms, but they just looked rag-tag. The unfinished look of the uniforms caused clutter, and it made a big distraction. Once uniforms come in, I think it will be a lot more enjoyable. This is a guard where the difference in performance level is noticeable. On the positive side, they had a very tight, well-executed and enjoyable ensemble rifle feature. 2nd (SO) - Cooper City - "The Special Two" - Oops, what a dropsy run. If they can keep their equipment in the hands, it would be significantly better. Also an unfinished production, using the floor from two years ago and blacks. Kinda small, but this show looks to improve leaps and bounds. 1st - Santaluces - "Novelty" - The Atonement soundtrack made for a good show, although I didn't really get the "Novelty" title. This was one of the first guards of the night to pull on the emotional strings. I think there is improvement to be really get the audience involved emotionally, because the soundtrack is there to do it. Although I swear I've heard that typewriter "music" before. Should be a finalist contender in Dayton. 2nd (SW) - Stoneman Douglas - "Greed" - Case study in a program in recovery. All credit to this Florida guard for remaining in World Class and designing a show to get them back to where they need to be. Again, difference in performance level shows here - some of the girls were not ready to preform this late at night. Other however, sold the show and the design of the show is great. A couple of cringe moments, including a couple of bewildered flags and the triple turn-around saber girl who just wasn't into it (recovery!). The show needs to be beefed up in equipment to be competitive, but a very good show. 1st - Flanagan - "Hopelandic" - I don't know what to say. To me, I wasn't that into the show. When the best moment I remember is the ensemble throwing their equipment into the air (straight up, no rotation), I'm not sure that Flanagan will be able to retain their title. I see this being definitely top 10, but I couldn't say top 3 with any definitiveness. If there are strong showings from Cali, the Midwest and Northeast, Flanagan may find themselves in the 3-8 shuffle. Design is great and equipment is great, but its just not memorable for me. 2nd (IW) - Premonition - "Illusion" - Yay GE! Plenty of moments to get the crowd on their feet. One of the only guards that presented a finished look in terms of flags, uniforms and floor. They don't seem to be pulling many punches this year. Does Shannon love green? It seems the color palette this year and last is the same. Lots of tricks, both in equipment and body. However, I think the total book is a little lacking. Maybe the tricks were hiding it. One of the highest GE moments of the night was again, the signature two-handed backhands and the ensemble "illusion" with multiple performers starting and stopping it with her. 1st - Braddock Indpendent - "We Do It To Ourselves" - Holy equipment book Batman! This show doesn't stop period. There's tons of movement demands placed on the performers. No signature ensemble dance feature, but plenty of dance and equipment work to make up for it. Sky high tosses and plenty of Braddock style made this, in my opinion, the performance of the night. Still waiting on uniforms, flags and floor (in complete contrast to Prem), but the show is electrifying enough as it is. Although someone pointed this out to me - there are no ladies' midrifts yet this year. Braddock getting a little more classy? If classy means top 10 run, then yes. Looking forward to the Ft. Lauderdale regional!

The Colts used a very similar looking prop in 2006 with their Continuum show

Wasn't the rifle line banned after that unfortunate incident at Camp Randall Stadium a couple of years back? I mean, BX always had such a hard time with the two week waiting period anyway, so will they even bother this year?

Its FIU Alliance, not USF. It's associated with Florida International University, who competed at WGI last year. FIU is in Miami. This is not to be confused with USF, the University of South Florida, and its open class winter guard, which is based out of Tampa, FL. Also, if you check the WGI entries, the FIU Performance Ensemble has decided to compete in open class as well as USF.

From what I understand, the housing issue is on a county-by-county basis. For instance, Broward County doesn't allow overnight stays at the school. I really hope there is a return of drum corps shows to Florida in some way. The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area has a ton of interested kids with fantastic high school and college programs that are begging for a local show (note: whether or not they are trying to make it happen is another issue). For me, I made the full day drive from Miami up to Atlanta for the regional and spend the weekend there. I really wish there was a closer show. Won't be a problem this summer though, cuz I'll be on tour! But I wish my friends actually had an opportunity to see me in person instead of on the DVD.

I'll just through this out there - when I marched drum corps in 2006, we weighted our 6' poles with 8" and 6".

I think Interplay was right to win IO in 2005. Very well designed and moving. Avon should have won in 2006 and 2007. I enjoy Logan's high level of demand, but Avon's show design appealed to me so much more. Fantasia in 2004 and 2007. I think the design level should have pushed them ahead. Also, Fantasia's GE and emotional impact was greater for me. From seeing Northmont's show on youtube, I think they really pushed the envelope, but their cleanliness really leaves something to be desired.

Hey I've got a question and I was wondering if someone could help me out. I would like to paint some of my color guard's flags for the upcoming season, but I don't know what kind of paint to use. I know its possible (see Blue Stars 2006) so I'm hoping for suggestions. Floral paint? Fabric paint? Spray paint (very thin coat)? What works?

That's right the correct spelling is Bridgman! It's my hometown!

I think the Miami-Ft. lauderdale area could use a local drum corps. The Cadets and Crusaders are northeast corps with camps and contacts in Florida, but they are also upper tier corps. Teal Sound is 5 or 6 hours away. A local Miami corps in the history of Florida Wave would be really nice. Perhaps Kiwanis can pull itself together and take advantage of the wealth of talent here.

It's the Blue Stars in Power and Grace

Blue Stars uses a couple of extra minutes of rehearsal time Saturday morning to beat Spirit by a hair. Xmen are a point behind.

Attention deficit disorder?

Count out loud!

Everybody stop! Reset!

Walk it off

In another part of the country: If anyone knows of any fall '07 or winter '08 positions in South Florida and would like to pass along information to me, I would really appreciate it. I have experience marching in high school, marching in a Division 1 drum corps, and teaching winter guard. Please let me know as soon as possible. Miles Use the Private Message button under my name.

Woo hoo Prediction Fun! Not very informed picks, mind you, but... 1. Blue Devils - Pushed till the very end, BD brings it home 2. Phantom Regiment - Settles for the runner-up spot for the second year in BD, Cavies jumble 3. The Cavaliers - Tops in music, but guard and visual can't make Billy Joel work 4. Bluecoats - Inches closer to top three, but still can't break the barrier 5. Santa Clara Vanguard - Another hometown corps peaks at finals after varying as low as 9th. 6. Carolina Crown - Crown squeaks by Cadets in a Finals thriller 7. The Cadets - The Cadets return to a more normal show, only to find their place drop...again. 8. Blue Knights - Unable to catch Crown or Cadets, BK has some space at number 8. 9. Boston Crusaders - Floats to the top of a very very close 9-15 10. Colts - Pushes through into top ten with a year to remember. 11. Glassmen - Shows that it can stay in finals, if only barely. 12. Blue Stars - Building on 06 success, a founding corps returns to finals. 13. Madison Scouts - Heading in the opposite direction of BS, this corps disgracefully falls from finals. 14. Spirit - Corps expereinces shock after falling two spots, although their show is the best its ever been. 15. Crossmen - The corps move (minus) to Texas (plus) balances each other out in remaining in 15 16. The Academy - A conservative Div 1 show lands the Academy in a nice 16th place. 17. Mandarins - Mandarins again slip into semis in last second push. 18. Southwind - Another heartbreak loss to Mandarins, another heartbreak in missing semis. 19. Troopers - A great corps returns, but scores don't fall their way. 20. Pacific Crest - PC barely edges Cascades in a break-out year, setting up for 08 success. 21. Seattle Cascades - Cascades falls slightly, but retains members to set up for future success. 22. Esperanza ? - Great Div 2 corps that still struggles in Div 1 23. Pioneer - Continues to improve as a corps, but remains Div 2 potential. 24. Kiwanis?