mjoakes

I hope so. I have missed the Cadets during the past few years. Just could not get into their shows. And then the whole organizational mess. I want to think of 2021 as having finally put a lot of junk behind them.

Won't be surprised if there are some changes resulting from the experiences these past two years. Don't think they will be major changes, like dropping to a four-week season. This year didn't seem like treading water. Bunch of staff, leaders, and performers put on a great tour given the situation. And they had to make key decisions months ago during great uncertainty. I think the corps and DCI did a fine job in 2021.

I missed the scores. It's kind of an analytical game to see how my amateur thinking compares to the judges. But I did sense a less stressful LOS last night. And while this is almost dumb to assert after one afternoon and evening of shows, it had the feel last night that corps like Phantom, Madison, Cadets had regained good confidence - maybe after performing without the constant, depressing feedback showing they are not in the top mix.

Saw everything live yesterday after watching a few of the events on Flo. The shows were more exciting than I had expected, and it was just great to be there in person. Just a few quick things: Great to see a kind of reset and renewed confidence out of Phantom, Madison, Cadets, Troopers. Maybe no scoring on a shortened season benefited several corps in ways tough to imagine back in fall 2019. Maybe no scores allowed everyone to relax and just perform. (Well, just design, teach, and perform.) But I missed the competitive angle. Blue Knights still one of my favorite corps to listen to in the stands. I almost never remember much about their shows, however. If I could snap my fingers and make that attic thing on the left disappear, the Cadets would have had a near perfect show. And Flo doesn't capture how sharp those uniforms look. Tough to be a little critical when everyone's in a we're all winners mood, but I'll go there: Boston's amping was just plain irritating. Such a great horn line. It didn't need the dial cranked up like that. I didn't notice it on Flo. For me, it diminished the show in person. They should have saved some money by not going with the video screens. Vanguard video: What a great way to showcase that corps and the talent in a video format. Crown was very good Crown as always, but SCV made me think there is some special creativity going on out in NoCal. Blue Devils video: Perplexing. Always glad to see Bluecoats being fun and distinctive Bluecoats. Because I'm not a big Beatles fan, this show (and the one in 2019) doesn't bring out the goosebumps as it does for so many others. But they are a great stew of talent out there on the field. In 2022: Ready for Bluecoats to pivot directions, even a little. Ready for Blue Devils to shrug off whatever fever led to that video and go for #20. Ready for Vanguard to push the envelope ahead of everyone else. Not sure there is anything the Cavaliers can do for me to surpass 2019's Wrong Side of the Tracks, but I'm ready for them to make the attempt.

Haha. Thanks for being light-hearted about it. If I hear one more passionate defense of masks or of no masks I might scream. Or cry. Sort of to your point, however, I have tried a vodka tonic through a standard medical mask. I got only dripping down my torso.

After shows, Severin Bar at the Omni Severin is usually packed with DCI fans, officials, and corps staff.

Geeze. Not again.

Good thoughts. Glad the members are having a good time (and that you're getting to experience them a bit). I think it's possible to have that perspective above and also express some criticisms of shows or performances at the same time. Most of the criticisms on DCP, as I see them, are more personal preferences, anyway.

DCI has an email and FAQ out to Friends of DCI. It's good information. Here are some highlights for LOS: no masks required inside no clear bag policy - but keep the bags of reasonable size no seat spacing, but the number of attendees is smaller than in the past north and west entrances only; east and south entrances closed no going out to the lots everything is cashless And for the events: same order all three nights order to be announced August 7 some special programming each day 2022 Friends and Super 3 tickets sales going online; none of those paper forms to fill out as in previous years (Now that I think about it, wasn't it kind of weird to have DCI messing with paper ticket applications in the late 2010s?)

Interesting order of performances. Tough to schedule a hotdog break (though there is one corps I comfortably skip each year if needed). They'll be intermissions, of course, but I am never anxious to join the crowds for that, even during non-pandemic times.

I think I like the SCV-like look and feel of Spirit. I have to keep reminding myself this is really the equivalent of mid and late June, not August.

Minus Flo, that might have been a good brass moment.

Good questions to ask. I suspect DCI is scrambling to stay on top of things and to consider how and when it's best to communicate details. I also suspect no matter how hard they try, all this is going to be unsatisfying to some people. It's a messy, complex situation. I'm prepared for almost anything over the next few weeks. For DCI events and for changes to policies as colleges and universities fill up with students once again.

Good question!

A perplexing show so far?

It was a good show. And yes, it was certainly in league with Cavies.

Interesting word to use. Definitely something missing in recent years.

Seems like good decisions from the Cavies about how to approach this year. Some fun things, lots of Cavalier style, green. Nothing requiring a whole summer to get into shape.

Always a little surprised to see sabres these days. They don't have much visual impact. On me, anyway.

I'm bothered that the building under construction in the background is not centered on the 50 yard line.

@LyleF7, you and others are right. I'm wrong. It's the equivalent of $12.50 per month if you pay for the year at $150. I clicked through things too quickly.

I have no self discipline so I just subscribed to Flo. But at $12.50 per month and cancel any time, it's not as bad as I think it was a few years ago.

You're right. With a couple more weeks to go, I wonder if either LOS or DCI decision makers might do something more restrictive. That said, I'm not sure it will matter much for me if they requiring masking. I'd prefer to not wear a mask, but I don't imagine it diminishes (again, for me) watching the shows.

Indianapolis is in Marion County. https://www.wthr.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/marion-county-public-health-department-recommends-masks-in-indoor-public-places/531-ab788ca0-f307-4f9a-8bf8-1c1c78188b2b

I will see the Cavaliers' 2021 show for first time in Indianapolis. In past seasons, I would have seen it several times before then. I'll miss seeing how show details develop.