DeanInChicago

At 9 this morning, drove by the stadium. Cavaliers were all walking along a sidewalk. Yes, the Cavaliers. Jersey Surf also was in the park early too. Rummaging was great this morning. Bought a wood crate/beverage container at a Barn Sale en route to Kutztown off of route 222. At one garage on Cedar Crest, bought 8 unopened greetings cards from the Bill, Hilary, George W, Dick Cheney era. The lady asked for $2, but she settled for $1, though she is peeved that President Obama has given money to Egypt. And at one 2-family sale near Ott and Highland, you could hear drumming in the far distance. I plunked down 4 quarters for banana bread and peanut butter cookies. "Hey," I said to the bake sale lady, "you can hear the drum corps from here." "It's better than listening to route 22," she replied.

This was my first viewing of Madison. I was in quiet tears the last 3-4 minutes of the show. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. At the end of the program, I hugged the woman I met just that night in the stands.

Budget-minded Dean here ........ Attend the free Celebrate Indy Arts! parade on Saturday, 11 AM - 1 PM, featuring 25 drum corps and other Indianapolis arts ensembles. To get from the airport to downtown on the cheap, take the #8 local Washington Street bus. It's only $1.75. Frequent schedule. Correct change, or 2 ones needed. At the airport, the bus picks you up near the rental car area. Check out the schedule at the Indygo website. Though Band Day at the Fair is August 5 (1976 Greenwood Marching Woodmen, anyone?), the State Fair is in full swing during DCI's visit. Catch the #39 Indygo to the fairgrounds. $1.75 one way, or $4.00 Day Pass on Indygo. For a break from the bus, rent the Chicken Car, an Indianapolis tradition like no other. (I worked at the state capitol building three summers when Otis Bowen was governor - he wore white shoes everyday.)

The opening Academy trumpet solo. Also, Nathaniel Pratt's solo with Madison.

On my budget, I go low class. Three spots on South Street, east of the Greyhound station ... 1. White Castle even though the chain has discontinued the A-1 slider. 2. Slippery Noodle for tenderloin sandwiches. 3. The value menu at Arby's Hammer of Nuvo recommends the large soup at Chase Tower Cafeteria, 2nd floor off Monument Circle. The anti-cobb salad at Hard Rock Cafe is healthy and yummy. If you stay for the Saturday Lucas Oil encore, only Steak N Shake will be open. Nearly all other downtown kitchens close at about the same time the encore ends.

"Cowboys and Aliens" can wait. Gotta write about memorable 2011 guard moments: 1. Academy's front sideline surprise ripple of flags. 2. Blue Devils's dizzy full-guard full-throttle spinning of the 2-color poles. 3. Crown's age-out Herbert being flashed by the backfield paparazzi. 4. The growing number of out-of-nowhere yellow hoodies on the Blue Stars. 5. Backfield movement of the end-of-show XY Cavalier flags. 6. The Cadets's demons placing their attack poles gently down after the mid-show battle scene. 7. The way the romantic-colored Phantom Regiment dresses move on the entire guard.

The day after the rained-out July 17 2010 Minneapolis show, I volunteered with the storm-delayed, overbooked Southwest Airlines to return to Chicago on Monday instead of Sunday. I received the value of the return trip (about $59), a $300 travel voucher, and free lodging for Sunday night. Sweet. With last year's voucher, I headed to this year's Denver and Omaha shows on July 9 and 10. That 2010 DCI cancellation blossomed into two great 2011 shows.

The Tour of Champions show in Rockford was also a sell-out, but last minute fans could instead buy $10 general admissionm, then sit in the endzone grass, or the visitor's stands. If you are unable to land a ticket, go ahead and buy general admission, if it's offered.

Lotta love for Allentown. 1. From Chicago, fly into Newark or Philadelphia. I prefer Philly. 2. Check into hotel before the Friday show. Nearby Bethlehem traditionally has Musikfest this same weekend. Hotel space is at capacity. 3. If on Route 22 anytime during the weekend, be aware that the On Ramps are very very short. Be ready to merge, or slam on the brakes. 4. Ditto the above poster's sentiments about the nearby Allentown fairgrounds. The old, musty pavilion is open both days before the show. Outstanding pickles, delicious cheeses, cheap haircuts, assorted notions. 5. Best parking is on Chew Street. Do not tell anyone! Free curb parking on both sides adjacent to the Greenwood Cemetery. From the fairgrounds or Chew Street, walk through the well-lit alley to J Birney Crum. You will easily see the stadium lights from Chew. 6. Of the many area diners, my favorite is Sunrise Diner. It's a few short blocks from downtown Allentown en route to Quakertown. Jack Creek's near the airport offers consistently wonderful steaks. 7. In past years, I've brought in boxed pizzas through the stadium gate. I've seen fans with small coolers. It's a very relaxed atmosphere. Of course, regulations may change. You never know. 8. Though Mr Boo recommends the Root Beer shaved ice / snow cone, I recommend Sour Apple. You MUST have a snow cone. There will be at least 20 flavors. And you will change your mind on which flavor a kajillion times while waiting in line. 9. The lines to concessions are usually fine, but 2010 was an off year - with many LONG lines. Three organizers of the annual Eastern Classic had passed away last year - and their outstanding organization was missed. 10. Day trips to get a drum corps break: Kutztown, Easton, Quakertown, and Jim Thorpe. 11. Saturday morning yard sales ! 12. Two evenings of outstanding drum corps. Outdoors. Bliss.

Just in the past 24 hours, row 1 in sections G and J on Saturday night have become available! Get your geek on.

You track the Eastern Classic ticket sales for amusement .... Drum Corps, Allentown, Friday, August 5 - Availability section 4/10 4/22 4/30 5/23 6/5 6/16 7/21 7/22 7/24 7/27 Q - top 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R - top 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 S - top 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 D 936 936 936 936 936 931 783 775 772 771 E 832 832 832 832 832 832 822 820 818 811 F 704 696 696 636 599 576 382 374 362 343 G 163 159 154 201 182 167 47 47 44 43 H 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 I 0 0 0 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 J 266 252 244 227 204 184 95 95 90 73 K 797 789 782 745 701 643 460 442 430 401 L 844 840 840 840 787 787 785 781 775 770 M 945 945 945 945 945 945 802 799 797 795 total 5488 5449 5429 5365 5189 5066 4178 4135 4090 4011 Drum Corps, Allentown, Saturday, August 6 - Availability section 4/10 4/22 4/30 5/23 6/5 6/16 7/21 7/22 7/24 7/27 Q - top 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R - top 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 S - top 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 D 928 928 928 928 928 893 881 865 862 835 E 832 832 832 826 826 816 683 681 665 631 F 655 648 641 578 535 475 164 160 149 131 G 156 141 138 117 76 69 0 0 0 0 H 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 J 189 175 164 149 129 109 0 0 0 1 K 727 719 708 655 623 485 211 207 182 132 L 828 828 828 828 771 764 678 668 659 632 M 941 941 941 941 934 928 872 872 870 859 total 5256 5212 5180 5022 4822 4539 3489 3453 3387 3221

It's been stated ... but the Blue Stars catwalk does not add to the show. But on the other hand, I love the yellow hoodies that appear out of nowhere.

Top Ten Favorite Rockford Moments 1. Arrived at 4 PM. Realized that parking on the high school grass would mean a chaotic exit. Instead, parked away from the school grounds on an exit road. Later, it was a seamless exit. 2. Phantom Regiment on-field practice. Energetic crowd of 300-400 applauding after many rehearsal segments. 3. Pre-show performance stages starting at 6 PM. A dozen Crown performed the "Friends" theme, then graciously stepped forward to meet us fans. One stage had an excellent solo snare, another stage had 5 bass drums, another stage had more brass. The acts rotated stages, and played to several audiences. 4. Found a five dollar bill on the ground near Blue Devils Retail. Shared the 5 buckaroos to them for their Fuel Fund. 5. From concessions, the hottest hot dog I've ever had. Had to allow the darn thing to cool down a few minutes before snarfing it down. 6. Seeing several cooling off in the washrooms, splashing endless sink water onto their faces. 7. Relaxing in a port-o-let, playing a few rounds of "We Will Rock You" with 2 stomped feet, and one loud clap. 8. In the stands, looking out from the top row near the 7 PM start, amazed at the long long long lines snaking in to the two small entrances. Even my 5:30 entry was slow. Though my ticket was torn, for others, the ticket was scanned. Another person hand stamped me, even though I had no intention of leaving the stadium. The center gate was opened near 7 PM(?), and more fans poured in. 9. Getting misty eyed during the show: (A) the sudden appearance of the American Flag during the "Anthem," then hearing the Vanguard member sing; (B) Phantom's romantic opening; and (letter C) Cadet's Amazing Grace, and later, their near-end-of-show backfield, hypnotic blending of the Angels and Demons. 10. At weekly Monday morning 15-person office huddle, I could not stop talking about the great evening in Rockford. The huddle leader Jaclyn was cool with my enthusiasm - she married a former Velvet Knights drummer.

Page 38, and not one word about the concession stand. Was there ice cold lemonade? Whimsical malt cups? Large cups of ice? Did ticketholders skip the hotdogs and popcorn due to the heat?

Regrets, this is a regular show. It had been on the original Thanksgiving 2010 schedule as one of 8 TOC shows, but now I believe there will be 5 TOC shows, starting in Rockford July 17.

I love drum corps, but I get irked by audience distractions: 1. Audience members who are on their Blackberrys/Twitter/Wi-Fi etc etc during a performance. Can't it wait until after the current performance on the field? 2. Audience members who suddenly realize that they are hot or cold during a performance, and pull my focus with removing or donning a jacket or hoodie. Can't it wait until after the current performance on the field? 3. Audience members with hair who suddenly need to be pull their mullet into a pony tail or scrunchy during a performance. Can't it wait until after the current performance on the field? Serenity Now.

Ron, as you are a Greyhound Summer Pass holder, you can sleep for free at the Indy Greyhound/Amtrak station on a bench, just a few blocks from Lucas. If a guard approaches you, just show her/him your pass. The downtown Indy hotel prices are high, I agree. I recommend getting out of town -- stay at the comfortable and relaxing Canyon Inn at McCormick's Creek State Park in Spencer. Chambers Smorgasbord has great food one block south of downtown Spencer. Or, head to the Fantasy Suites in Greenwood, exit 99. It's a hoot. There are themed rooms for your outer space adventures, spaghetti westerns, and dozens of other ideas.

Once tickets are up for sale, the availability should be fine. At other events where ticketing has started, there are good seats available. In the "select your seat" DCI on-line option, here are figures for 3 shows. My home chores may not be done, but at least I'm keeping up with ticketing stats. Grand Rapids, June 25 April 10 2011, 3635 tickets available April 22 2011, 3607 tickets available April 30 2011, 3572 tickets available Omaha, July 10 April 10 2011, 4632 tickets available April 22 2011, 4592 tickets available April 30 2011, 4581 tickets available Allentown, August 5 Top Sections & Lower Sections D-M April 10 2011, 5488 tickets available April 22 2011, 5449 tickets available April 30 2011, 5429 tickets available Allentown, August 6 Top Sections & Lower Sections D-M April 10 2011, 5256 tickets available April 22 2011, 5212 tickets available April 30 2011, 5180 tickets available

There are less expensive shows: July 02 Michigan City, $25 for 50 yard line seats July 10 Omaha, $35 for 50 yard line seats Aug 5-6 Allentown, $25 for 50 yard line seats each night (though these are already sold out) Seek out the affordable grandstands.

There are thousands of Indy parade spectators in late May for the annual Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade. One of the great elements of the parade is the opportunity to see the 33 drivers up close and personal. This encourages paradegoers to then buy a ticket to the Brickyard. Similarly, in a DCI parade, fans and potential ticket buyers have the opportunity to see and hear several corps up close and personal. As many of us stay in downtown Indy hotels during Finals week, there should be a great turn out. Indianapolis-area schools can also be invited to march - shorts and T-shirts as uniforms are fine. What a thrill for these young musicians to march with the drum corps. Plus this would help fill more seats that night at Lucas.

When I smell the steel mills of northern Indiana, I remember Uncle Bob. When I pass over the Wabash River, I remember Uncle Dick. When I laugh at a freeway vehicle with a flapping canvas mess atop the car, I remember Dad. When I see a Star of America bus, I will remember Bill Cook.

Every seat in Q, R, and S are awesome.

Let's overhaul the flat football field playing surface. The field will be a programmable juke box of 200 choices - no need to schlep any heavy tarps or zip in on the John Deere. Choices include: black sand beach dentist's chair seaside ballroom oil-stained mechanic garage fresh straw blue gelatin hot lava emerald green glass slippery ice gray slush one of those bouncy room moonwalks a Chucky Cheese game pit filled with plastic balls At Tour of Champion events, the audience will pick the playing surface at random at "Is your corps ready?"

Yesterday, (Sunday, April 3, 4:40 PM) at the Indianapolis White Castle at 38th and Keystone, two diners noticed my T-shirt and asked "Is that a drum corps T-shirt?" "Um, yes it is," I stammered. I was wearing one of those orange '48' Cavalier T-shirts. "We're with the Blue Stars," one of them said. The two guys had just finished weekend camp at the nearby fairgrounds, and were dining before heading back to Cincinnati. Both are looking forward to aging out this summer. One has been with the Blue Stars for several years, and is a lead trumpet. He persuaded his friend to join the tour. We traded a few short stories -- like when the Blue Stars souvie truck once used dozens of United States Post Office mail buckets on their truck to store shirts in. (The corps has since upgraded to legal storage tubs.) We talked about their 2008 La Tour bike show, the 2009 Working show, the 2010 Houdini show. They are both looking forward to a great season. I wished them well. I headed outside, and grabbed the 4:56 southbound Indygo bus. OK, so it was just an ordinary run-in, but I get a huge thrill when running into drum corps people out of context. Imagine, musicians eating a meal! Almost Twitter-worthy.