Popular Post Gizmit26 Posted June 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 26, 2019 (edited) There has been a lot of befuddlement -- dare I say consternation -- over the state of Drum Corps International this year. I had a feeling that certain things are being overlooked that would, perhaps, shed some light on the intended meaning of the corps’ shows. So, I reached into my extensive contact list and was finally able to get in contact with new DCI artistic director Lee Carlson. After initially running me off his lawn, Mr. Carlson and I were able to sit down and have an imaginary conversation regarding the true meaning of several corps’ 2019 shows. In the name of cutting through the noise, I’ve decided to share the true show synopses below. Santa Clara Vanguard The defending champions show is entitled “Vox Eversio,” which translated from Latin means “Elevator Music.” The story features pajama-clad small town boy Jake dreaming of his first youthful trip to the Beverly Center Macy’s with his parents. Jake’s fondest memories were riding the elevators up and down, being surprised by the sights and sounds behind each opening door. Things take a darker turn when the elevator breaks down and our young protagonist is trapped for some time with a roaming sousphonist, which were quite common in mid-1900s Los Angeles. Bluecoats The Bluecoats self-titled 2019 show warns us of the dangers of drugs, featuring the esoteric music of little-known British indie rock band “The Beatles.” /ˈbiːtl̩z/ Dressed in their Sunday best, The Bluecoats receive offers of various illicit substances from several mysterious strangers dressed in black and white. What first seems like a fun, trippy party quickly descends into the harsher realities of a drug addict; including chasing a small black bird through the park for hours and eventually passing out in the gutter to the trumpet-sounding screams of passersby. Hope is not lost, however, as The Bluecoats come together at the end in support of one another at rehab. Carolina Crown The 2019 offering from one-time DCI champion Carolina Crown is a literal journey “Beneath the Surface” of the human body. Wearing uniforms that capture the now transparent nature of the human form, we see the ever-present motion of the microscopic world inside us all. Thrill as bacteria spin and fight for dominance of our frail humanity. Your eyes will be wide with wonder as you join Crown on this journey through Cellular Biology 101. Blue Devils In a year of darkly themed shows, the Concord Blue Devils may just take the proverbial cake with their take on Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride entitled “Ghostlight.” Be warned, for behind every door and in each cellar is another grim, grinning ghost wanting to socialize. When their tour busses breakdown outside a haunted Motel 6, these Blue Devils have no choice but to endure a night of terror beyond their wildest imaginations. “We’ll leave the light on for you,” takes on sinister new meaning in this 2019 production. Boston Crusaders The Boston Crusaders, fresh off a recent 3 hour tour to a tropical island, choose to take a departure from their more literal shows of the past two seasons to explore a deeper, more literary theme, basing their show off one of the bestselling books of all time. I am talking, of course, about Malcom Gladwell’s 2015 book “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants.” This show can’t be summed up any better than Amazon reviewer “Storm” puts it: “Too much of any good thing will lead to a bad thing (and vice versa). I would much rather be a big fish in a small pond than be a small fish in a large pond.” Also, someone dies at the end, which is always good for a few extra GE points. The Cavaliers? Despite every assertion that this is not a train show, recent entry to the World Class ranks The Music City Drum & Bugle Corps is taking the field this year as “The Cavaliers,” paying homage to one of the best corps of the 1990s and early 2000s. This direct sequel to their 2018 smash retelling the story of Casey Jones’ last ride to hell picks up right where last year’s show left off. The corps now finds itself on the “Wrong Side of the Tracks,” a thinly veiled reference to being in Hell. Corps members are welcomed with what at first seems a joyous song and dance routine. It is only when each member realizes that they will have to spend an eternity hearing complaints about “losing identity” and “costumes vs. uniforms” and “back in my day” that these members of Music City Drum & Bugle Corps are truly able to appreciate what Hell is. Choo Choo, indeed. Disclaimer: In case it isn't obvious, the above is a work of satire. I have not ever spoken with (or stalked) Lee Carlson. I am sure he is a very fine man. I support the corps and the members. I am father to two former marching members. I have loved the activity for a very long time. I will continue this if there is enough interest. That is all. Edited June 26, 2019 by Gizmit26 Typo 2 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HolyNOLA Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Gizmit26 said: Gizmit26 Hope you're prepared for the safe space crowd to rain fire on you. Edited June 26, 2019 by HolyNOLA 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAZZER Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 yes, do BK please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmit26 Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 7 minutes ago, HolyNOLA said: Hope you're prepared for the safe space crowd to rain fire on you. I think we can all get along. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePlanets Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 (edited) 26 minutes ago, Gizmit26 said: Blue Devils In a year of darkly themed shows, the Concord Blue Devils may just take the proverbial cake with their take on Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride entitled “Ghostlight.” Be warned, for behind every door and in each cellar is another grim, grinning ghost wanting to socialize. When their tour busses breakdown outside a haunted Motel 6, these Blue Devils have no choice but to endure a night of terror beyond their wildest imaginations. “We’ll leave the light on for you,” takes on sinister new meaning in this 2019 production. Oh no! I hope this doesn't elicit horrible repressed memories of my Motel 6 experience in Topeka, KS. I might have to skip the BD show this year. Edited June 26, 2019 by ThePlanets 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forevergreen Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Love this..more please !!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloofyMcFloof Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 THIS. IS. AWESOME!!!!! MORE!! MORE!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSnareDrummer Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Finally, these dadgum themes make some sense. Good stuff. Gizmit. 4 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideways Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 (edited) Many, many years ago Lee Carlson was judging GE for a high school marching band show in Michigan. I was in critique with my band wearing a Hawaiian beer shirt and he offered to buy it off me...told the band later they won the GE trophy because of my shirt. This is actually a true story....winning GE and Lee Carlson offering to buy my shirt...not winning GE because of my shirt. Edited June 26, 2019 by Sideways clarity 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedrick Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Thank you for this thread! This is fun to come up with alternatives to what the designer was trying to communicate in their design! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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