CaliforniaDCfan

I hope the Mandarins get the score they deserve - that show was wonderful!!

And to clarify, ALL on horns are playing!

Endzone to endzone hornline ROCKS

Mandarins! One of my favorite shows of the year. It's a bit of a crime they are consistently being scored so low. I'm glad the announcers at the theater last night mentioned it.

Always wondered how the earth-prop-movers feel about their role. Was anyone watching a prop-person for their corps?

The BD soloist didnt mess up - y'all just don't understand musicians who play music notes ahead of their time. #TRENDSETTER #ItsArtBizatches

I don't understand how Mandarins didn't pass OC. (No disrepect for OC). Their show was ROCKING!

OC was great, but I think Mandarins have pulled ahead of them.

WOW! Seriously, that show was incredible. I'm struggling to understand how it is not scoring higher. This show should be challenging for the 12th (or 11th) spot. AWESOME JOB!!

HOLY CRAP! The Mandarins are KILLING IT! This show is jamming!!! How is this not a closer to the top 12 show?

They are also one of the most stable corps, administratively and financially. I think they will be a finals contender next year. (I think they should be this year, but it's such an incredible year for ALL corps)

I know it might seem like a longshot, but I think Mandarins are going to make a late push and become a contender for a finalist spot. I think the show is being underscored. I know I'm not the only one thinking this... I would LOVE a 5 way tie for the 12th spot.

I completely agree. I think the Mandarins are having a WONDERFUL year. It should also be noted that this is the first year since entering World Class that Mandarins are marching a completely full corps. I agree with the posts that Mandarins should be scoring higher - I completely agree. The Mandarins are one of the most well-managed corps and provide a wonderful experience for their marching members. I could see them inching up a spot or two for the next few years.

I think the Blue Stars are the most over-hyped and under-performing Corps this year. There were some people placing them as high as 7 or 8 pre-season and now it's not a lock that they will make finals (they probably will, but still is a chance they might not). I think the show was written above the abilities of most in the corps. That's not a slam against the members, but the staff. I bet they will finish in 11th place. (Edited - after some more thought and a review of scores, I think they will finish in 11th).

For those of you who voted for Phantom, I have some great BOA tickets I'd like to sell you. (Phantomettes deserve better).

I don't want to make anyone angry, but the Cadets CANNOT win it all. They didn't perform out west. Hasn't every DCI champion performed out west since like 2004?

This hornline is so good, it should be banned by the government. HOLY BALONEY.

I actually think this show is about a gay dude who fell asleep watching some um... documentaries about athleticism. (I say this is jest and love, as a fellow gay dude). This show has as much to do with athleticism as the Lion King does about wildlife in Africa.

I love Phantom; I am not in love with this show. The guard reads as a high school dance team - its a little too cutesy; I want strength and beauty from Phantom!

I continually find that the Indianapolis La Crosse Blue Stars are over-hyped and underwhelming. Same again this year. Show has promise, but is too bland to fully enjoy. I think they are overscored. PS - Indianapolis is supposed to have a strike-through, but it isn't showing when I post, just when I am editing it. Sorry!

SCV was good! I think the guard has too many costume changes. Corps sounded and moved very well! The props were a little confusing (I know what they are, but I don't feel they added anything to the show).

I'll write a full review in a bit, but just got in from the show and wanted to share my thoughts (in no particular order). This was the first time in a very long time where I enjoyed EVERY show. I didn't dislike any show, which is fantastic! Golden Empire, holy moley! They are big for a new Open Class.corps. Very promising!! BDB/SCVC are neck and neck. I give the advantage to SCVC - both tonight and at finals. Mandrians are the best they have ever looked. They need a few weeks to clean it up and tighten it up (especially the guard. Did they draft horn members to join guard?!) Blue Devils are on another planet - no one even came close to them. And I say this as someone who hasn't loved BD some of the past few years. An enjoyable show! Phantom seemed flat. And (I hate to say this, but a little boring). Blue Knights seem promising, but its hard to get a real read on them since their show isn't finished. I also don't think this will be the year that Pacific Crest pushes for finals, sorry. Venue was great, weather was wonderful (bit windy). It pains me that CA is home to so many wonderful corps and we won't really see them again (except a few Open Class shows) until next year.

Looking forward to the show. For those of you that might remember, this is the infamous show that used to be held in Stockton. It was moved to Sacramento when the University of the Pacific decided to tear down it's unused football stadium. The first year it was in Sacramento, it was held at Sacramento State where the school didn't have anyone on staff that could turn on the lights, so the show was cancelled. It was a huge cluster#### and embarrasing. Last year, it moved to Sacramento City College. The stadium is nicer in many ways, and there is more of a "festival" atmosphere with food trucks, vendors, etc... It is a beautiful Northern California day, but the wind is MIGHTY. Expect some messy guards if it keeps up. Curious that Blue Knights are going on last. Not good or bad in my opinion, just interesting.

Community Preference? Wow. I'm guessing that people ok with this are the same people thtat would have been fine with having championships in the segregated south as well right? There is very high LGBT representation in DCI - From members to staff, I would venture that (at least) 20% of those involved in the activity identify as glbt. And for some corps, those numbers would be CONSIDERABLY higher. Any youth-serving organization that would allow their members to suffer discrimination is on some very dangerous territory.

If Indiana passes the "RELIGIOUS FREEDOM" law which would allow discrimination, DCI better plan to discuss moving Championships. A state that allows hate should not be rewarded. From what I have heard, there are several groups that are pushing for DCI to join other large convention groups in making a joint statement against the religious "freedom" bill. BRING THE CHAMPIONSHIP TO CALIFORNIA AGAIN!