Buick Dad

Of course!

Aw c'mon. Let's say 40% of the fan base is female. Unlike the sausage fest here on DCP, da wimmen like to shop and do think it is a big part of the Parris experience. These ladies have put up with years of decapitations, impalements, poisoning, and going into the light. Don't you think they deserve a show with a little bit of light hearted shopping in it? Some fashion with flags, sabers and rifles? OK forget that last part.

I was in Indy in 2011, 2012, 2013. We walked the city, canals and park. Saw where you could rent paddle boats and SegWays/bicycles. Half of the Eiteljorg Museum was art of native Americans, not by native Americans. We enjoyed the State Museum and Zoo more. Shapiros Deli is worth seeking out. For cheap eats, there is the food court in the Circle Centre Mall. You can eat in the attached Atrium for lunch and maybe catch a live performance if something is scheduled. Steak and Shake is inexpensive and open late. Usually packed and a bit messy.

Got top row seats ~35-40 yard line. Last year they were getting tough on not allowing water bottles in. It was not a TOC show last year but I would expect enforced restrictions this year too.

. They did take a bronze medal the year after both were gone. Not too shabby.

Typically between Atlanta and Allentown.

I heard that the Bridgemen did this.

The minor league baseball team complained to the city that PR's march to Lucas was blocking fan access to the stadium. They have made this trek with a police escort for 6 years. The compromise made was to leave 6 minutes later than scheduled the night of the finals. They were in constant communication with DCI staff and were not to rush or break routine. Most members did not know they were a little late until it was mentioned at their breakfast banquet the next day.

Which corps will be the first to do a DCP set?

Well the white swan lives now!

I think instead of the sm group on the trampoline, there was a single trumpet that did a few flips. Came really close to the edge after a backflip. No spotter.

I think this TOC show was moved up from Sunday as in previous years up to 7/31 Thursday in order to get access to Rutgers Stadium. The football team has exclusive use of the stadium starting 8/1.

There is a summer soccer event going on next to the stadium. Car parking is backed up the way they are routing everyone. They also charged us $10 to park.

Just announced it is delayed due to car traffic. Not time given.

Rumor it may be delayed. Not sure why. Weather is good. Maybe crowd issues.

If it is a HS, you need to be in the top few rows. At least 20 up. I needed to be in row 1 at Jackson NJ in a HC assets able area. It was about 6' off the ground. I could only see the top 1/3rd of the Cadets for most of the show. Shame because they could get away with a much smaller stage for what they are doing with it. The full length was only used one time during the show.

I was at Jackson. Had to sit in row 1 for accessibility issues. During the Cadets show I kept hearing Ronald Regan's voice in my head "Mr. George Hopkins, tear down this wall!" I could only see the top 1/3rd of most of the show. I know they do not care since it is designed to work for regionals and finals. But unless they add stuff later, the raised stage is not used very much. I think the score would score well without it.

This year's death will be from a surgical air strike.

The Cadets 2 was started up a couple of years ago, too. http://www.yea.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cadets2

My son aged out this year. He said both the Emmerts changed the way they try to motivate the members a couple of years ago. Way less yelling. Dwight changed after reading a book on best practices to motivate groups. He thought the brothers were cool.

There were 40 age outs at their breakfast banquet. A normal year is 46-50. I know at least one vet who skipped this year and will be back in 2014. So that happens too.

Phantom has been on fire! My son texted that their quarterfinals performance felt the best of his three years with the corps. Not his favorite show of the three, but he says the drill and the brass book is more challenging to him. Semis also looked super clean to me and sounded great. The tie with Bluecoats adds some drama.

The evil queen has not been sitting on her oversized hands. Expect PR to kick it up few notches.

Phantom Regiment, as per the 2013 DCI Yearbook: "Inspired by myth and legend, Triumphant Journey uses the music of Craig Armstrong, Bernard Herrmann, Benjamin Britten, Sir Edward Elgar and Dmitri Shostakovitch to explore the path to true heroism. The saga begins when an innocent princess discovers dark forces within her idyllic kingdom. While imprisoned by an evil queen, her homeland falls prey to disharmony. She escapes, but finds herself in a new world full of unknown perils. The only way home is through the Forbidden Forest, where winter winds conjure the trees to do the queen's evil bidding. The princess must elude the clutches of these wicked woods to return to her people and face the queen. With the life she knew forever changed, she must discover the hero within before charging into battle and fulfilling her destiny."

The DCI program sold at shows explains the story line a little better.