Danpod

This is IRS Form 990: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f990.pdf

Thanks to whoever wiped the camera lens down right before Spartans took the field!

Heard loud and clear on the broadcast: Woman: "Would anyone like to buy a DCI World Championships Program?" Guy: "I would!!!!" It's just that easy, folks!!!!

What were the unexpected costs? I'm not finding anything on their website or their Facebook page. Edit: I really hope this isn't a repeat of last year.

Thoughts go out to the victims in Aurora, Colorado. Stop ####### shooting each other!!!! This crap has gone on long enough. I bet the Blue Knights are shaken up by this whole tragedy. Does anyone have any housing information on them for the San Antonio show? I'm here in the Alamo City and would like to visit their rehearsal if they are in town today.

John, I saw your comment on the Astro Travel Facebook page. I doubt you'll get a response, but you still receive props for posing the question.

Via the Cascades Website: Thank you to the drum corps community for being so supportive. We are on tour and we don't have an equipment trailer, so this is very serious. The trailer is a complete loss. The frame has completely buckled causing serious damage to keyboard instruments on the floor level, damage to battery percussion instruments and drum major podiums that were located in the rear of the trailer. This trailer has been with the Cascades for a few decades now and has certainly done a great job for us! We just recently repainted and renovated the interior in 2009, but now, she will rest in Waco, TX. The good news, is the equipment damage is contained to some battery instruments, but, one battery problem is like lossing them all! Unfortunately there are also new Adams keyboards that are a complete loss. The new King Ultimate Brass, new uniforms and all guard equipment are intact. The percussion will be performing tomorrow in San Antonio due to the kindness of Pearl Drums and their connections with a local area High Schools. The members had plenty of visual rehearsal today and took a nap during the heat of the day. They are in great spirits and are ready for a wonderful performance tomorrow. After a grueling removal, inventory, photos, interior gutting and reloading process, the assets have now arrived in San Antonio and with the help of many we will have a wonderful weekend. As most know, the corps closed shop in 2008 due to finances and has worked so hard, not only to return with class, but, to rebuild with better equipment, instruments, and this year, new uniforms. This has meant that our budgeting has been as tight as you can possibly run a ship. Of course, insurance will eventually help solve financial issues, but today, we need to keep these students moving forward. We have rented a 48' trailer from Penske and will be renovating it on Sunday while the students are at I & E. If you are interested in helping with renovation that day at Kitty Hawk M.S. 840 Old Cimaronn Trail, Universal, TX please contact Pat Davis (425) 210-5980. Please consider donating to help keep our 53 year history alive. Thank you. They need our help. Speak with your dollars via the Cascades website. Speak even louder with your applause tomorrow afternoon.

I love Spaghetti Warehouse. That might be a good little place to eat after the show. They probably can't get food out before INT finishes though =)

A few tips/tricks on how to make DCI San Antonio a little more enjoyable: Parking: A pain in the rump, I know! $10 at the Alamodome but you can forget about in and out privileges. Getting out of the lot can take the patience of a Saint. If you want to save a few dollars, there are a few makeshift lots that open up around the dome during big events. Don't park at someone's house. It will get towed. The same goes for parking at the Staybridge Suites and Best Western that are down the street from the front entrance of the Alamodome. Another little money-saving trick is to park at the giant row of parking meters on East Durango (That's the street that divides the corps' trailers and Bill Miller's). Meters go for 25 cents an hour and are free after 6:00 P.M. The walk is not too bad. Just be careful when heading back to your car after the show. Dining: There's a reason why very few eateries exist around the Alamodome. Did someone say Aramark catering contract? Anyone who has been to DCI San Antonio knows how high the prices are at the concession stands. If you simply don't want to give the concessions your money and are brave enough to handle the triple-digit heat, there are plenty of places within a somewhat reasonable walking distance. My suggestion is to stay away from places that feed directly in to the Riverwalk. Those places will have long wait times. If you wish to hit up the Bill Miller's across the street, be my guest. I've had my share of foodage there but only for convenience purposes. Lastly, I would never condone the "illegal" transport of food items in to the Alamodome. All I'm saying is that the Alamodome ushers are usually satisfied with viewing only one pocket of your satchel..... The Lot Experience: Brass lines are usually located on the east side of the dome. They'll be right next to the Alamodome parking lots. The corps buses will be there too. Pits and equipment trailers should be on the south end of the Alamodome, across the street from Bill Miller's. Drumlines always find unique places to warm up at this event. If you are going to watch a particular line, I suggest following them as soon as you can. These groups definitely have zero qualms about walking across the street to warm-up in a vacant lot five blocks from the stadium. After Party: Downtown San Antonio has plenty of bars to enjoy some adult beverages. All I ask is that you drum corps responsibly. For me, there's only one place that can appropriately cap off a whole day of Drum Corps awesomeness: Lulu's Bakery and Cafe on North Main. Enjoy your Saturday and I hope to see you all there!

Me thinks the "jump" had a lot to do with not competing against any World Class competition. We'll see how they do this weekend.

Updated step-off 8:45 MT- Cascades

Empire State of Mind by Madison Scouts currently playing. Don't tell Jay Z.

Currently playing Field Pass for Madison Scouts.

Fan Network is hearing the Field Pass by Dan Potter.

We are seeing the JumboTron message on the Fan Network. Drum Corps Greatest Hits playing in the background. Now, there's silence.

Announcer, during the Cascades first movement: "Drum Corps off the field. Drum Corps off the field." The crowd has been evacuated to the Concourse until the lightning subsides. Crazy stuff.

Oh Sweet Jebus, that Bill Miller's is probably the worst in town!!! Definitely convenient but always packed during DCI. I remember going there one year when the place was completely occupied by two groups: A local high school band and Taipei Yuefu.

The replication of idea isn't really the problem. The idea appears to be the first of its kind to anyone who does not follow WGI, which slightly irritates people who follow both activities closely. Frankly, if the idea gets some applause, I'm all for it. I kind of wonder if The Cavaliers have staff on North Coast Academy as well.

I thought this exact same thing when I saw the bass line lay on their drums on the DCI Fan Network. Simpsons did it!!!!!!!!

- Something I'd like to see more of from the trailers is Under Armor gear. I purchased a Madison Scouts one last year and I believe Phantom Regiment sells them as well. Those things are great to wear while working out or to just run around in. - Drum Corps Toilet Paper. Show your support and condemn a corps all at the same time. - I would love to see some trailers sell bottled water and sodas for about half the price of the concession stand.

The Cavaliers had ladders in their 2005 production, which makes the fan's comment somewhat hypocritical. Four legs good, two legs bad.

Still waiting on my DVD that I ordered via the Fan Network Premium Subscription. Can't wait!

Cheers: 1. The entire Blue Devils organization. World Class and Open Class World Champions. 2. Phantom Regiment and Madison Scouts for two memorable shows. Jeers: 1. Any one who booed a corps or a corps member during any point in the season. You deserve to have your ears gummed by a toothless camel. 2. The three teenagers who sat behind me at DCI San Antonio and referred to each corps as a "band".

The video is not in sync, but this is exactly what this topic has become. Please, Swan. Stop looking at me.

Expectations: - Blue Devils will win by at least a point. They will set the all-time highest score in DCI History. I fully expect them to move the mirrors to the front at the end of the show and smash them. After all, we were warned of "surprises" in the Blue Devils show on today's Field Pass. However, shards of glass on the field would probably result in a penalty. - I expect Phantom Regiment to challenge for a top five spot. I also expect Phantom's Spirit Guide to take the soul of one audience member and make it his own. - I expect The Cavaliers to tweak their ending a little more. Here's a suggestion: MORE ####### RIFLES!!!!!!!! - I expect the gap between 12th and 13th place to be the largest it has ever been.