Saturday, August 26, 2017

Celestial Symphony

The Planets with Dudamel
Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood, CA
Tuesday, August 22, 2017

I bought a set of five tickets for this season at the Bowl, but I'll be elsewhere for the last show I was going to attend, so this was my last show of the season.  I took the shuttle from Arcadia, and when I arrived, I couldn't decide what to eat for dinner.  All I knew was that I didn't want to eat sushi, because I already had rice at lunch.  I walked in and out of the marketplace twice before I finally decided on a roasted veggie sandwich and Terra Chips.  


Scordatura by Daniel Bjarnason -- world premiere, LA Phil commission with generous support from Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting; violin soloist Pekka Kuusisto
  • The piece started with the soloist whistling while playing pizzicato.  The rest of the strings come in pizzicato also, but not whistling.
  • The piece was not melodic, but it was interesting.
  • He plays (with bow) as he sings, too!  
  • This piece was written especially for Kuusisto. Cool.
  • Cute how the soloist kind of teased Dudamel while he was playing a lot on the low string, which I have now learned was tuned to a low D.  (It's usually a G).  THAT'S what was weird!  
The Planets by Gustav Holst -- LA Philharmonic with Women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale

  • Mars, the Bringer of War -- Kicked butt.  It was awesome.  It was really difficult for me to refrain from yelling "VAAANNNGUAAAAAARD!" a few times.  Instead, I cheered really loudly, "YES!!!!" at the end, which is not what I usually do during a concert but I couldn't help myself.  Thank goodness I was sitting near people just as enthusiastic as me.
  • Venus, the Bringer of Peace -- There were two harps being played on stage.  TWO!  I want to try playing the harp, but I don't want to have to wheel it around everywhere.
  • Mercury, the Winged Messenger -- I like that the music is so lilting, like flying.  Even when Dudamel conducted, his arms looked like he had little wings.  
  • Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity -- Hmmm...I need to use that word someday.  I love this piece.  I almost cried, it was so majestic and beautiful.  
  • Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age -- I don't know if Dudamel touched his shoulder because he was showing that when you get old your joints start aching, or if he was sore from all of the big conducting movements during Jupiter.
  • Uranus, the Magician -- I agree with the lady behind me. The beginning of the piece sounds like "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".  Must be the magic theme.  There are four bassoons in the orchestra. That's a lot of bassoons.
  • Neptune, the Mystic -- I can hear the influence on John Williams' score for "Star Wars" in this piece.  The women of the LAMC sang from off stage, and it was ethereal and sounded really cool.  Those tritones!  Yes!
Well, that was a pleasant end to my season at the Bowl.  Two nights after the solar eclipse, I get to hear The Planets live.  Thank you, Dudamel and the LA Phil!




DLR LotD 08/20/17

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, August 20, 2017

"I told you!" -- Belle, to Sherry, about the grey stuff being delicious, at Red Rose Taverne

The Grey Stuff

Raspberries on top of red velvet cake
covered in grey chocolate mousse
on top of a cookie 

DLR LotD 08/06/17

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Sunday, August 6, 2017

"Happy Birthday to YOUUUUUUUU!!!" -- Cast member, to Larry, at Pirates of the Caribbean, after several hours of not being greeted as such by anyone



Saturday, August 19, 2017

Abe's Adages 08/19/17

Abe's Adages: Week 20

On Compromise:

"The spirit of concession and compromise -- that spirit which has never failed us in past perils -- may be safely trusted for all the future."

Source: Gene Griessman, The Words Lincoln Lived By

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

No Place Like Santa Clara

DCI Finals
Saturday, August 13, 2017
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, IN

I woke up early in the morning and walked to Military Park to participate in the Street Beat 5K.  I didn't see many people there when I arrived, but there was a pretty good turnout by the time the race started.  It was a nice day for a walk, not too hot or humid.  I asked the volunteer to place the medal around my neck for me, and she gladly obliged.  I forgot to take a picture in front of the stadium, though (the finish line was in the parking lot of Lucas Oil).  Then I walked back to the hotel.  I had already reached my 10,000 steps about halfway through the race due to all of the walking to the after-party the night before, so my feet were sore, but I was fine.  Bro and V got us breakfast from Starbucks as I blogged about Semifinals night, and we stayed in the room as they watched movies and I typed away.
The drum logo looks like Ouroboros.
I'm not obsessed at all.

We decided to find somewhere to eat our late lunch on the way to the stadium, and ended up at Loughmiller's Irish Pub.  After changing our minds twice about which table to use and confusing the server, we finally sat down to eat.  I asked her if her bartender knew what a Toasted Irishman was, and she asked him.  I told her that I'd have an iced tea if he didn't know (because I always forget), and she ended up asking me what it was since he didn't know.  So here's what it actually is: equal parts Kahlua, Jameson's Irish whiskey, and Amaretto.  I guess that was a recipe by a restaurant that no longer exists in Hollywood, because I can't find the recipe anymore.  Oh well.  The one he made was good, too, with Frangelico, Bailey's, and something else, which is more like a Nutty Irishman.  Bro ordered a Reuben, which came with marbled rye, and he liked it.  V and I ordered Fish & Chips, and the fish was a filet instead of in the shape of sticks, and it was tasty.  Their sparkling lemonades were hugigant.

We walked to Lucas Oil for the last time this summer (awwww...), and made our way through the crowded DCI Marketplace to our seats, which were in Section 238, Row 5, Seats 5-7, on the right 25-yard line.  I got excited when I saw that we were in the front row of our section, not only for the non-blocked view, but also: we have a desk!!!  

Welcome:
Dan Potter loves us because we come into the stadium early.

OPEN CLASS CHAMPION EXHIBITION -- Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets
I like this show lots.  I forgot to shout "VANGUAAAAARD!!!!!", though.
Champions! SCVC

Leadership Award: Jim Tabuchi, Executive Director of Mandarins

Performance by IN-Pact Band

Sponsor Recognition included a special recognition for Gary Roberts of Stanbury Uniforms, whom passed away this year.

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS DRUM & BUGLE CORPS "THE COMMANDANT'S OWN"
Repertoire:  "American Sketches": Works by Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland
Star Formation

Stars and Stripes Forever
Star-Spangled Banner

MADISON SCOUTS
Oh, there's the fleur-de-lis formation!  I couldn't see it when we were up close.  I'm glad they haven't forgotten to include their symbol, aside from the modified ones on the centerpiece and flags.
Madison Scouts


XMEN
That sounds kind of like the music in "Ouroboros" at the end, and their flags have a circular design on them.  Hmmm...  
Crossmen End of Show



An SCV Alumnus took his seat beside me.  I'll call him DJ, because he will be referenced a lot throughout this post.  If you know him, say hi!  He marched from 1996 through 2000, alternating between soprano and baritone, and played soprano in the SCV Alumni Corps last night.  Bro was excited because DJ played in his favorite SCV show, "Fog City Sketches" in 1997.  I was excited because he played in the 1999 Championship-winning show, "Inventions for a New Millennium".  I never asked him if he knew our friend, Kenji, whom played soprano in that show.

BLUE STARS
Nice catch by the color guard girls in the Moulin Rouge section: they catch while leaning back, and the guard guys are holding them.  I want the flags of the two Montague and Capulet crests.  I mean, they don't need them anymore, right?

Star Formation





PHREGIMENT
One more time, in a seductive voice: "Fantasy Invasion".  I am not going to miss this show.
Phantasm at end of show

Look at the cute bottle cozy DJ has!  I want one.


BLUE KNIGHTS
DJ:  "They're conducting with their feet?"
I explained that he was looking at the color guard, and then the drum majors took the podium and he understood.  This was DJ's first show to actually see in person this season, so he was familiar with all of the shows through youtube.

I miss the moments of silence during the last piece; now they're covered by narration. 

i




THE CADETS
They have flags that they "Sinner" on them.  I do not want those.  I like when the corps is in a block int he middle and they're kind of spinning halfway around, because the robes look really cool swinging around.  This would have been my time to get a hot dog, but I'm glad I didn't because I did get to see stuff from above that I hadn't seen before.  The choir, though.  ICK.
Fish Formation


<Intermission>
It puzzles me that we have tens of thousands of people in attendance on Finals night, and they only give us 17 minutes of intermission.  I know the judges don't need a lunch/dinner break, but there are a lot of people going to the restrooms at the same time, and the lines get really long.  Luckily for V and me, we were able to get there quickly because we're fast, so we didn't miss anything.

BO CRU
"WITCH!"  If I have to hear singing, then I'd rather it was this soloist's voice.  Hauntingly beautiful.
I think she uses the Elderwand


CAVALIERS
I like how they spin the playground things around:  so shiny!  DJ yelled "BUDDY!"  when the announcer on the recording said, "Dude!"  Announcer also says, "Protein Shake!" and "After two million years as a species, that's the best they've come up with."  (corrected from my previous post).  DJ said that was new.  "And the winner is...Star of Indiana!" That got a good chuckle from the audience.
Mancaves Uncovered


BLOO
I enjoyed watching DJ enjoying the show, and told him so.  V asked him to tell us where he'd be sitting next year so we could sit by him again, but he wasn't sure he'd be there.  DJ knew all of the trumpet parts because the SCVAC brass head is the Bluecoats' trumpet tech.  He's also friends with the trumpet soloist, trombone soloist, and center tenor.  Such cool stuff going on, especially the trumpet ensemble feature.  I like when they use their hats as if they're mutes.
Jagged Line


CROWN
DJ does not like the singing. At all.  I kept giggling as he kept ripping it and the show apart.  This brass line is ridiculously good.  Oh, the blue ribbon-like material is supposed to be the parts of the end zone.  I would have enjoyed this show more if the singing wasn't there, and the brass wasn't overrun by her voice.  I don't know that I would have understood it without Bro and DJ telling me about it, though.  It's sad that I prefer narration over this singing.

Crown Formation.  Kinda.


SCV
As promised, DJ was loud.  He taught everyone in our section when to yell "VANGUAAAAAAAARD!!!!!" and directed us during the show so we'd all remember.  I found myself not being able to breathe, I was so excited.  APPARENTLY, there are lyrics in this show, "No place like Santa Clara".  DJ was surprised I didn't know them because I had kids in the corps.  I never said I had kids in the corps.  Or that I had kids.  Whatevs.  We were ecstatic about how well they performed.  I'll miss this show the most out of all of them from this summer.  I know you're totally surprised.

Reading the DCI Live Blog later, I learned these things:

  • There are 12 members in different costumes that are amplified; one member for each of the life style phases of an ouroboros.
  • The word “ouro” in Spanish means “gold.
  • The last couple measures those 12 special players played a short snippet of “Send in the Clowns.”

Whoa.  I need to hear that Clowns thing.

The 12


BD
DJ does not get why this show is getting such high marks and kept pointing out the "dirt" in the show.  Oh, they have a blue diamond at the end by the lit-up window!  Did they have that diamond all week, or have I not been paying attention?

Pitchfork Formation


The attendance was announced: 23,342, a new record!

Retreat included the drum majors from the Open Class medalists:
Legends (Bronze)
Blue Devils B (Silver)
Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets (Gold)

BD-B, SCV, Legends

Madison brought their modified fleur-de-lis on a stick.
Blue Stars CG had all of the Star-Crossed lovers represented.
Cadets CG form a cross, and the corps wears their white and maroon uniforms in a block so that the ones wearing white form a cross.  Cool.  
Blue Knights CG sat in the shape of an eye (had they not, I would have been very disappointed).
SCV got the biggest crowd reaction when they rolled in one of their gold Ouroboros props with Staun inside.  Their small ensemble stood on it when they placed it on the field.  
Blue Stars

Madison

Eye

Cross

One more time

"Beware of the Dog"
I have no idea why.

Because SCV

They showed a video montage of all of the corps from Finals Week.

Scores (in order of announcement)

12) 85.250 -- Madison Scouts

Jim Jones Leadership Award:  Gabe Gallegos of Troopers (1st time for this corps, and this award is named for the former director of the Troopers)

11)  86.825 -- Crossmen

10) 87.938 -- Blue Stars

George Zingali  Award for Best Color Guard:  Santa Clara Vanguard (!!!!!)

9)  88.125 -- Phantom Regiment

John Brazali Award for Best Visual Proficiency: Blue Devils

8) 90.400 -- Blue Knights

Jim Ott Award for Best Brass:  Carolina Crown

7) 91.675 -- Cadets

6) 92.963 -- Boston Crusaders

Fred Sanford Award for Best Percussion:  Santa Clara Vanguard (Back-to-Back!)

5) 95.163 -- Bluecoats

4) 95.200 -- Cavaliers (jumped placement from 5th at Semifinals)

Don Angelica Award for Best Overall General Effect:  Blue Devils

3) 96.575 -- Carolina Crown

2) 97.600 -- Santa Clara Vanguard

1) 98.538 -- Blue Devils (That's #18 for BD -- wow)



You go, Vanguard, with that Silver medal!  Whoo HOOOOO!!!!!  SCV! SCV! SCV!

I think that a couple from Boston Crusaders got engaged on the field.

Encore
2017 World Champion Blue Devils

They played their show without their shakos, and went really crazy on "Flight of the Bumblebee" like there were bees all over them.

On The Starting Line


Congratulations, BD, and thank you to BD and SCV for such an amazing season.  We've been with you since the first show in Clovis, and it has been fun seeing the shows evolve.  We were with you at the combined gala, which was ultra cool to celebrate both corps' big anniversaries.  Bro mentioned that the true SCV fans respect BD (and vice versa) like those of us at the gala. I agree: that night and on this Finals night, we felt the love between the two organizations.  In the day or so since Finals Day, pictures were posted of BD and SCV corps members hugging each other, and they have brought me to happy tears.  They display such a camaraderie throughout their crosstown rivalry, and I love that they encourage and congratulate each other. As SCV posted, it was really nice to for them to stand next to BD at retreat once again.  It's been a long time coming.  Dangit, I have a tear in my eye again.

Thank you to V and Bro for our great time at Finals Week!  I love you guys, and I had fun hanging out with you, as usual.

Snapchat Geofilter


Until next year, folks.  Meanwhile, withdrawal begins until we can get our 2017 videos and CDs.  I look forward to singing that "Ouroboros" song over and over again.  :)

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Vanguard Forever

DCI Semifinals
Friday, August 11, 2017
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, IN

We got a late start in the morning so instead of eating breakfast, we went straight to Tastings for our traditional Semifinals lunch.  The hostess asked if we'd been there before, and when we told her we were old hats at this, she gave us our menus and tended to a table of newbies.  To eat, we ordered Sesame Encrusted Ahi Tuna, Filet Mignon Salad, Shrimp Ceviche, and Goat Cheese & Fig Pizza.  It was all delicious.

Wines:
*Favorites
+Like
- Didn't Like

1st round:
S: 2015 Snoquamie Winemaker's Select Reisling*
V: 2015 Force of Nature Cabernet Sauvignon* -- something for which we have bottles at home, but it's themed to SCV.
R:  2014 Yardsock Cabernet Sauvignon*

2nd round:
S: 2014 Sexual Chocolate Red Blend -
V: 2014 Tooth & Nail "The Stand" Red Blend +
R: 2014 Louis Latour Domaine De Valmoissine Pinot Noir -

3rd round:
S: 2015 Toschi Vineyards Moscato

We had Marquis Cake for dessert.  That was tasty, too, especially the rum-soaked genoise cake.

We then walked to Lucas Oil, and searched for the booth so I could pick up my bib for the 5K.  It wasn't there.  So we went inside and I bought an SCV cap as well as shirt for my friend's daughter.  I tried to buy the Mandarins What the Heck shirt, but they weren't open.  Everyone else was open, but I was told they were running late.  I didn't have time to wait, so I left the booth, hoping that the limited edition shirt would still be available when I returned.  I made it to the seating area just in time to hear the US Army Band play the Star-Spangled Banner.

Our seats were in Section 141, Row 5, Seats 5-7.  We were up close and on the left 40-yard line.

*Top 12 advance to Finals

SPARTANS -- 73.475
I saw one of the pit members toss a mallet to each other.  I don't know if that was choreographed, but they were smiling.  I also don't know if that happened more than once in the show.  Their sleeves are even more sparkly up close!  The last flag has social media icons on it.
Last Flag 


MUSIC CITY -- 74.275
"If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go with the tribe."
They make the appearance of smoke with their black and gray tulle before they make the fire with the ribbons.  That's cool.  They climb atop the marimbas and growl.  One guy kicked short DCI cone.  Rude.
Trumpet Soloist

GENESIS -- 76.213
V:  "Big Ass Brushes.  B.A.B."
Great job, everyone!  Brass and drums kicked butt.  That little girl with the umbrella is pretty good!  The red CG uniform has faces on it.  It looks like it represents art, like the Madonna and Child.  
Future Color Guard Captain

LEGENDS -- 76.225
I don't think they love the signal because they seem to be in pain when they cover their ears and bend over.  Very nice sound from the horns.  Aw, the drum major is crying.
Be Careful Up There!

PACIFIC CREST -- 78.000
My eyes are leaking!  The show was so good:  solos went well, CG was on point, brass and percussion did very well.  Wow.  The pit uses a bow against the marimba during the lead-in to the Giacchino.  Thank you for the wonderful show, PC!  I will always love and remember this one.
PC 

OREGON CRUSADERS -- 79.050
Oh, there are the compass pieces!  I would that follow that drum major anywhere.  I almost breathed with her every time she puffed up her cheeks for the brass entrances.  A good conductor makes you feel the music as if you're standing in their spot.  I was almost in tears for the ballad.  Beautiful.
Puffing Out Cheeks

SPIRIT OF ATLANTA -- 80.075
"We are here!"
Choir corps during the last piece.
We Are Here

<Intermission>
I quickly walked to the Mandarins booth.  A girl was there whom didn't have enough money to pay for her shirt.  I overheard the woman tell her that maybe she'll get lucky and someone would give her a couple of bucks.  She stepped aside, and I moved up to the front of the line.  Then she proceeded to help someone else.  Ummm..what?!   Then the same person she helped instead of me wanted to put money in the fuel fund can and reached over me to do so.  No, she didn't think of going around me.  I kept my composure and inched up closer to the cashier (I maybe had 2 inches to go to get in her face).  She asked if she could help me and I asked if they had the tank top in my size, which they did.  Yay!  I tried to give the other gal a couple of dollars, but she said she had enough money; they just wouldn't let her pay with cash + card.  I asked the woman if they could split it to use both, and she said no.  Then she thought of something else she could do, and was successful.  The girl was able to purchase the same shirt I was buying, and she went away happy.  The cashier gave me a free Mandarins rubber bracelet because I'm nice.  I guess it paid off for me not to go all ballistic when she didn't help me.  

I also bought a Cadets shirt for a friend's daughter, but it took me forever to decide because most of the shirts had the name of this year's show, and I don't like the show.  I don't know if she liked the show, either.  I did end up getting her one with the long intro that irritates me, but I didn't want to get her another black shirt, and I didn't know if she'd be OK with the ones with the crosses.  Why don't they have more generic shirts?  Ugh.

BLUE DEVILS B -- 80.050
V thinks the girls in the pit have their hair in pigtails because they're portraying kids.  That is a very long high note, Mister trumpet soloist!
BD-B

TROOPERS -- 80.075
I would have totally blown my horn forever for that drum major.  He just kept asking for more in the Nessun Dorma, which was beautiful.  I would also like to dance with him, because he danced while he conducted.
Fencing Steps

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD CADETS -- 81.975
I met Tracer's mom.  Tracer goes to school with my friend's daughter.  The mom wasn't impressed that I knew someone that knew him.  I guess I should have realized that it was probably her son's last performance of the year with SCVC and not cared so much that she blew me off.  Sorry to distract you, Tracer's mom.  I yelled "...GUARD!!!!" because I didn't know when the yell was supposed to happen.  Love that drumline!  I like seeing the drum major smile at them.
Awesome soloist

Dan Potter interviewed drum major Jessica and she said she thought it was their best performance yet.  He said that no matter what, we would see them on Finals night because they would play their encore as Open Class Champions.  What would happen if they actually made Finals?  Would they have to play twice?  I would like to see SCVC make this a dilemma for DCI one day.

THE ACADEMY -- 84.188
Oh, now I get that part:  the hunters throw their rifles in the air in succession, and the bunnies try to hit their head with rifles while they're looking up to catch their own.  V had to tell me when the bunnies have carrots in their mouths because I'm always too late to see it.  If anything makes me smile this drum corps season, it's the Academy's show.  Nice pas de deux with the Hunter & Bunny as the pirouettes, even though it disturbs me.  I like when the brass players hop like bunnies.
Catching a Rifle with Carrot

THE COLTS -- 83.888
"Left side! Right side! Both sides!"  I like the melody, I just don't want the singing.
Math Symbols

Dan Potter showed a quilt that his wife made for today's raffle.  It's made of drum corps shirts.  That's cool!

MANDARINS -- 85.550
The drum major is so awesome! They showed her on the big screen when she was making her growly face.  I usually like Mandarins color guard, but this year I LOVE them.  They were just ON tonight.  Oops, somebody left their orange saber on the black sheer cover and it traveled with it as they covered the field.
So Intense

MADISON SCOUTS -- 86.475*
I didn't notice the oxygen tanks last night.  Neither did V.  I'd better not breathe with them, or I'll hyperventilate.  V wondered why the brass players weren't wearing bandannas over their mouths.  They're scarier up close.  Cool visual after the explosion sound as they throw their orange flags horizontally into the air.
Breathe!

CROSSMEN -- 88.488*
I like that main theme.  They do flips on the bars.  I like their plumes.
Rifle Toss

Brandt Crocker announced that there was a deluge outside, and two of the corps were stuck in it, so we needed to wait as they dried off.  We had a 10-minute delay.  Yes, even when the event is in a dome, we still have rain delays.

BLUE STARS -- 88.975*
I don't like the transition between the Gatsby and the Moulin Rouge sections.  I could hear more of the Prokofiev now: it's mixed in with "The Montagues and the Capulets".  We met people later while in line for food, and they were a father and sister of someone in this corps.  He said, "They dropped one."  I hadn't noticed.  The guy behind us said the show was about fairy tales.  I don't remember hearing about Romeo and Juliet killing themselves in any of the fairy tales of my youth, but most fairy tales are based on Grimm stories which are kind of scary, so maybe?  
Blue Stars Desk

<Intermission>
I went outside to pick up my packet for the 5K.  When the staff member stamped my hand, the ink was very faint on my skin, so she had to do it again.  I explained to the people waiting, "I'm brown."  They looked at me like I was nuts.  We had extra intermission time due to the rain so Phregiment's flags could be dried.  It's a good thing, too, because it took me forever just to get through the Marketplace after getting my packet, and the concession lines were long.  Concessions was disappointing today: they weren't ready for the intermission despite the 10-minute delay, and they ran out of stuff.  They also didn't give me the kind of pizza that I settled for when they didn't have the salad I wanted.  Oh well.  At least it wasn't salty, like V's nachos grande.  We went back to our seats to eat our dinner.

PHANTOM REGIMENT -- 89.888*
V wasn't sure what a "Phantasm" was.  I decided that it is a Phantom Orgasm.  I just don't understand why, when you have all those instruments on the field, you need to have recorded music.  

Dan P interviewed the Phantasm and wore her face mask.  He also put it on the camera so we could try to see through it.  Now she's going to have to wash that before Finals.
Dan Potter Being Silly

BLUE KNIGHTS -- 91.013*
The second drum major leaves his podium during the show and interacts with the color guard before going to the backfield, and the third drum major goes to his place.  I like seeing the expressions on the faces of the drummers.  They are clearly having fun.
BK Drum Major and CG

THE CADETS -- 91.738*
The one part of the show V does like is when they use the purple flags which match the stained glass window backdrops at the end.  My favorite part is that it ends.  Actually, since we were on the left side, I got to hear more of the brass when they played on the pews.  At one point, there were 24 trombones.  That's a LOT of trombones.  Not quite the 76 in The Music Man, but a lot nonetheless.  The guy behind us liked this show, partly because they squeezed a whole hour of the original composition into 12 minutes.  You know, unlike any of the other 12-minute shows we've seen tonight.  
Stained Glass

BOSTON CRUSADERS -- 93.4*
I like the "Wicked Game" segment.  Vocal soloist Aubrey does a great job with that song.  I know her name because Dan P interviewed her afterward.   
Folks behind us:   "The burning was wonderful."  Yeah, that's disturbing.  One of those folks thought that the show was about the Hunger Games until his wife or whomever informed him that it was about the Salem Witch Trials. 
Those are people, not flames

THE CAVALIERS -- 94.925*
The CG uniforms are so form-fitting that they look like they're tattooed onto them.  I like this show more now that I understand the narration.  Yes, I actually needed the narration for this one.  The show is about communication, so I'm going to rely on that to help my existential conundrum about this.  "Duuuude!  Buddyyyy!...After 2000 years, that's what they've come up with."
Spinning Tenors

BLUECOATS -- 95.213*
V noticed that the pit instruments were jagged, too.  I like that the drummers also do some choreography with their hats.  Yes, a trombone player hands his hat to the drum major.  The use of the wah-wah pedal with the trumpet duet is cool.
Bloo DM

CAROLINA CROWN -- 96.588*
Bro explained the show to us before it started because V and I had a ton of questions.  Oh, so this is a statement show.  What an awesome brass section!  They were so strong that our seats vibrated.  Bro thinks it's because the audience was stamping their feet.
Guy behind us:  "What's that song?  It's from Broadway.  Frozen, I think."
Somehow he didn't fall down


SANTA CLARA VANGUARD -- 97.70*
Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh!  NEW Ouroborous!!!!!  Have they had those underneath the red covers this whole time?!?!  It's magic!  My throat is sore from all of the screaming. That was incredible!  I love sitting with fellow SCV fans so we can share our excitement.  
Gold Ouroboros

BLUE DEVILS -- 98.112*
Great job, BD!  My goodness that brass line!  They shake their legs like they have bees on them and are trying to make them fly away.
Butterfly wings

--

Scholarship Awards were announced.

Open Class Director of the Year -- Steve Barnhill of SCVC 

Most Improved Corps -- Louisiana Stars

Hall of Fame Inductees:
TJ Doucette -- Blue Devils Color Guard
Paul Rennick -- currently SCV Percussion
Bruno Zuccala -- Corps Director of The Cavaliers
Zuccala, Rennick & Doucette

I & E Winners were introduced.

2017 SANTA CLARA VANGUARD ALUMNI CORPS
Members from every year were represented, so participants included folks from the very first Vanguard through last year's age outs.  They played the same music that we heard at Stanford, but they wore uniforms and marched around a little bit. Little girls danced with their mothers on the field. Everyone went bananas when they did the Bottle Dance.   Our whole SCV section went nuts for pretty much the entire show.  It was awesome.  I was happy that current SCV and SCVC members were allowed to watch the show because that is their corps' history right there.  Many tears were shed during "Send in the Clowns", on the field and in the stands alike.  And now I'm about to cry again.  Thank you, SCV, for making this such a special evening.  You will always be in my heart as the best, the classiest, and the greatest drum corps ever.
SCV Alumni Enter the Stadium

They just keep on coming!  Over 200!

High Rifle Toss

VANGUAAAAAARD!!!!!

Scheherazade


Shield Formation

Phantom of the Opera

Bottledance

Scores for the last block were announced...except for the last two, which irritated all of us, so we left to go party.

The SCV Semifinals After Party took place at The Tow Yard, which was a bit of a walk, so I was quite warm and needed the cold beer.  I had their Raspberry Porter, which I thought was tasty.  We also got food included with our tickets: chicken fingers, hot wings, and pretzel bites, which were like pretzel buns but really small.  Charles Frost thanked us all for coming, and he had DMs Chris and Carl with him.  Bro wanted my bestie to go to bed because SCV had some tenths to overcome in their score.  I played Simon.  Bro almost got someone else's drink because the guy didn't know who ordered them.  V pointed out that the food on her plate was phallic.  I did not take a picture, and am regretting that at the moment.
Cheers!

What a fun, SCV-filled day!

Next up:  Finals