The Blue Stars will kick off their 2009 season mixing two free performances for its home crowd with fundraising and community service. The corps' "Grand Premier" will be held on June 11 in Indianapolis. The event will feature a silent auction, individual performances by Blue Stars members and the premier of the corps' 2009 production, "The Factory". The group's "Grand Debut" will be held June 17 in Onalaska, Wis., featuring performances by the Blue Stars and Blue Star Cadets Youth Band. Admission at the Wisconsin event is free, but the corps will be accepting canned food donations to benefit the La Crosse, Wis. Hunger Task Force.
Learn more at BlueStars.org.
The Bluecoats will host their "Blue Debut" community concert on June 17 at the Glen Oak High School football stadium in Canton, Ohio. The event is free and open to the public and will include a complete performance of the corps' 2009 production, "Imagine."
Learn more at Bluecoats.com.
While school arts programs' budgets are being cut, Carolina Crown is stepping up its effort to promote performing arts education. With its "Crown Jewels" program, the organization hopes to raise money through donations to sustain its valuable programs. "With difficult economic times, we need your assistance more than ever," Carolina Crown Executive Director Kevin Smith said. "Your support turns dreams into actions and our promise to keep the momentum of expanding our educational opportunities moving forward."
Learn more at CarolinaCrown.org.
Returning to World Class competition after a year off in 2008, the Cascades were hard at work Memorial weekend with a rehearsal camp in Yakima Valley, Wash. In between rehearsals, corps members had the opportunity to perform at an annual fundraising event for the organization.
Read more at SeattleCascades.org.
The Cavaliers are inviting family, friends, alums and fans out to DeKalb, Ill., this Saturday for a special pre-season barbeque dinner. The event will include a sneak-peak performance of the Cavaliers' 2009 production, "The Great Divide."
Learn more at Cavaliers.org.
The Cadets kicked off their 75th anniversary celebrations Memorial weekend in north New Jersey. Starting on a more somber note, alumni gathered to honor past members at a memorial mass held at the corps' very birthplace, Church of the Most Holy Name in Garfield, N.J. In between rehearsals, current corps members marched in three local Memorial Day parades.
Read more at YEA.org.
Pacific Crest will spend the next three weekends rehearsing at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights, Calif. If you're in the area, be sure check out a sneak preview of the corps' 2009 program, "El Corazon de la Gente," on June 14.
Learn more at Pacfic-Crest.org.
Crediting the hard work of the students, staff and parent volunteers, Revolution completed its late May rehearsal camp surpassing all set goals for the weekend. In less than two weeks, corps members will head to Akins High School in Austin, Texas to begin their "all-day" spring training rehearsals.
Read more at RevolutionYPA.org.
Like many corps, SCV is currently busy with its pre-tour rehearsal schedule, characterized by 12-hour rehearsal days under a hot California sun. As reported on the corps' Web site, students are still trickling into camp from around the country, and members are adjusting to their challenging schedule with relative ease.
Read the full report at SCVanguard.org.