Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
The One That Marches Us Into Black History Month
143 Plays24 days ago
🔥 Welcome back to On A Water Break! This episode is packed with incredible discussions, breaking news, and insider perspectives from the world of marching arts as we start Black History Month
👥 Featured Hosts & Guests:
This Week we welcome Michael James, Tony Lymon, and Sabine Francois
🎙 In This Episode:
✅ Interviews & Insights: Conversations with top educators, designers, and performers in the marching arts world.
✅ Water We Doing: The latest trends and must-know stories shaping the activity.
✅ Gush & Go: Quick-hit news and announcements you won’t want to miss!
📰 News & Important Links:
📢 Breaking News: Pasadena Memorial HS incident
🚀 WeMarch Initiative: Connecting cut performers with open spots in drum corps! More details on Drum Corps Today’s Instagram
🎟 DCI 2025 Tickets: On sale February 10! Get yours here
🏆 HBCUs at the Super Bowl: NY Times Article
🎶 Honda Battle of the Bands: West Coast debut at SoFi Stadium
💬 Drop a comment below and let us know your favorite part of the episode!
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction & Episode Preview
00:00:00
Speaker
Hey, everybody, and welcome back to On A Water Break, the podcast where we talk about everything you and your friends are talking about at rehearsal, On A Water Break. This week, we are kicking off Black History Month with some legends of our activity. We'll also found out what made Tony say, I feel like y'all are trolling us by how relaxed you are coming onto the floor. And why Michael said, I say you call yourself the support of the arts, but you really are trying to like So we're the artistic part of it. All this and more on this week's episode of On A Water Break.
00:00:38
Speaker
Eight off the Met and go.
Celebrating Black History Month Series
00:00:40
Speaker
Welcome to On A Water
00:00:55
Speaker
Hey everyone, it's Ricardo and we are kicking off a month-long series of episodes for Black History Month. This week we have some current legends of the activity, but we have so much planned for this month and we can't wait to share it with all of you. From performers to band directors and everyone in between, we are bringing you Black Excellence.
00:01:16
Speaker
This week, we're going to explore the current climate of the activity and some recent initiatives by the activity. Before we see who's on the sidelines this week, go and subscribe and hit the notifications on your favorite listening app, write us a review, and share this with your friend.
Listener Engagement & Participation
00:01:32
Speaker
Got a question or a good talk to talk about? Email us at onawaterbreakpodcast at gmail. dot Or find us on social media and DM us if you want to be on the show. We even have a forum now to fill out if you want to be a guest.
00:01:46
Speaker
We love having people on the podcast, so check that out at our link in the bio on our social media. OK, let's see who's on the sidelines this week.
Pride in Colette's Growth
00:01:54
Speaker
First, on the sidelines, we have a friend of the podcast and proud papa, Tony Lyman. Tony, how do you think Colette did with her WGI percussion episode? She did amazing. i I don't know where she got any of that from. I think she just She knocked it out. She knocked it out of the park. And, you know, her mother is a crier. And I was just watching her, watching my wife sit with the phone and watch the interview. And she's in there bawling away. is where We're just proud parents. You know, you spend 18 years saying the same things over and over and over again. And then then then they're on a podcast.
00:02:38
Speaker
Well, I don't feel bad about Emily Crine. I'm going to tell you, I went and listened to the episode and just hearing her speak. And you know, I told our listeners on the last episode I was on that I was Colette's first babysitter. So seeing her from changing in diapers and not being able to actually make words of speaking so eloquently on the podcast, it was so it was a good life moment. So I know you guys had to feel proud about that.
00:03:03
Speaker
Yeah, we're just blessed to have a community of people that have loved her since she was, she came into the world. You starting the party off and, um, you know, we've just been trying to teach her to appreciate that and reciprocate.
Meet Michael James & Sabine Francois
00:03:18
Speaker
Love it. I love it. Well, our next clinician needs absolutely no introduction, but we may make him do a 32 count anyways. It's the one and only Michael James.
00:03:32
Speaker
Hey, Michael, how are you? I'm good, I'm good. We're in the, you know, the throes of winter guard season is starting, so it's it's a lot, but what are you gonna do? Yeah, I know. Everybody on the podcast tonight was running in from rehearsals as to get on to do this recording, so. It's the season, because everybody's gonna be in the gym on Saturday. Truth. Well, I'm actually gonna play the wedding. You're not, you're doing what this weekend? I'm not waiting. Oh.
00:04:03
Speaker
I know, I know. Well. Unlike, that's not, I know. And it's a color guard person, so we're having a, you know, but. play last go for I'm just gonna say, who in the color guard world knows to put a wedding during season? Exactly, exactly. Cause ain't none of your friends gonna be there. I will. They actually are, so we don't have shows this weekend, but it's a quick getaway. We're calling it a quick little getaway to get away from when a guard, but yeah.
00:04:32
Speaker
Okay, all right. Well, Michael, before we get to your 32 counts, we had to bring on one more guest. She is not only a former student of Michael James, more on that later, but she's a young black female color guard instructor with some powerful opinions. Sabine Francois, how are you?
00:04:55
Speaker
Hey y'all, stop living my best life.
Balancing Roles in the Color Guard
00:05:01
Speaker
I am doing great, you know, just living, enjoying life, have my little one and enjoying the teaching in the circuit and influencing other of people and having fun, really. I love it.
00:05:17
Speaker
Yes, there's our, our Sabine was calling in from her car and she's like, I have to drive this baby around to get her to go to sleep. So for those of you who are parents in the world, I'm sure that you understand exactly where she is. And this just is a testament of her being that baddie out there doing it all. She is killing the game in the color guard world. She's killing the game as a mom. And I'm just so in awe with you. Every time I see you, it's like, you know, we always have to hug each other and have our little moment.
00:05:48
Speaker
I just love you so much, girlie. Love you too, so much.
Rapid-Fire Life Stories
00:05:54
Speaker
Okay, now it's time for each of you to give us your 32 count life story, except for Tony, because I think you suffered through that sometime last season. So Michael, you're going to go first, just so you know, you're going to get eight off the mat, and then you are going to tell us your life from birth all the way up to today, and approximately 32 counts. You ready for this MJ?
00:06:17
Speaker
Yes, I'm ready. I think so. Here we go. All right, here we go. Eight off the mat and go. I was born in St. Petersburg, Florida. I came to St. Petersburg High School where I was the first time I had been from nature. I started in March and went to Michael in the 15th to start this down the list of people. And that's how I kind of got thrown into color guard because I see here I was from nature and our color guard is showing me on fire. That's how I got and chore rapping i i've got
00:06:49
Speaker
i degree the universe is and but yeah So I've been doing this for a while.
00:07:01
Speaker
That was a lot. and It is a lot. And for somebody like you, you probably need like a 64 count life story because you missed out on all the other stuff in there like the Disney days and all the drum chords that you have taught and still teach. got You know, next time we'll let you add to it just a little bit more. How about that?
00:07:20
Speaker
and yeah like you wow well Alright Sabine, it's your turn now. You know the drill. You're gonna get eight off the mat. 32 counts to tell us all about your life from birth up until today. You ready for it? Yeah, I'm ready. Alright, let's do this. Okay, so I was born in New Jersey and then I moved down here to Orlando. Oh, my parents are from Haiti.
00:07:48
Speaker
So they came for a better life. And then from there, I started off in Cypress Creek Band and I was playing a clarinet, barely playing the clarinet. Like a few notes here and there, barely at that. And then I looked over at the color guard and said, I want to do that. And then I told Michael, I was like, I'm a join. And he was like, I don't know. And then finally I drew a color guard. And then I went so fast, and then I continued on from there.
00:08:13
Speaker
And now.
00:08:20
Speaker
That's her 32 count phrase goes by real fast, y'all. It's so fast. Now, Sabine, I'll add in for you. You got to march at some great places outside of Cypress Creek. Let us know some of the other places that you performed at.
00:08:35
Speaker
ah Yeah, absolutely. So after Cyprus, I went on and marched USF for the next four years, enjoyed my time there. I also marched Phantom and Cadets and then I went on to go teach a few summers too and I enjoyed all the summers. I taught at Colt for a little bit. And then taught also here at USF and then Pegasus too for
Crisis Management in Marching Arts
00:08:59
Speaker
a few seasons and now local with the high schools again. It's been lovely.
00:09:04
Speaker
So those of you diehard WGI fans, if you remember USF's B show, Sabine is the queen bee, and honey, she owned it. Buzz. Buzz. All right, now that we've introduced everyone, let's jump into some news.
00:09:41
Speaker
There has been a ton of news this week from the shooting at the Texas Color Guard Circuit Show to the fires raish ravaging programs in California. We are putting together a bonus episode called On a Water Break in Crisis to discuss the stories with those who have been involved directly, but also what plans should groups, circuits, and schools have in place for different types of incidents. On a Water Break hosts Chris Rutt's involvement with palette with helping Palisades High School.
00:10:09
Speaker
So after the catastroic catastrophic fires that affected thousands of people in Los Angeles, many homes, businesses, and schools were leveled to the ground. Palisades Charter High School, a beautiful school overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was badly damaged and classes were moved to online learning. After discussion with band students on wanting to attempt to have an indoor drumline season, director of bands, Peter Yee, put out an all call for equipment to borrow for the season.
00:10:39
Speaker
Santa Monica High School, graciously lended Pali High School, a set of battery equipment, and Townsend Junior High School, the feeder for the seven-time world champion's Chino Hills High School, donated a full front ensemble, including a complete sound system.
00:10:57
Speaker
Director of bands, Ann Rutt had just received over $275,000 worth of new instruments from an arts grant in 2024, and her previous equipment was sitting in storage.
00:11:11
Speaker
It's the right thing to do, Ann said, when she received the word of the all call. We have the resources available to give them most everything they will need to have a successful season. On Friday, January 31st, Ann and her husband delivered the equipment to an office park in Santa Monica where the ensemble will be rehearsing while damage assessments are ongoing. Additionally, Ann will be donating a used floor for Polly to use for the season.
00:11:38
Speaker
Poly High School's Peter Yee was thankful for the equipment and several students were on hand to move the instruments from the trailer to their storage space. This is more than I could have ever asked for. We are so grateful for the community coming together in these difficult circumstances, she said. On Monday, February 3rd, Poly High School had their first rehearsal since the devastating fires on the roof of a car park as they worked to prepare their program Scheherazade for competition.
00:12:04
Speaker
Participating in Percussion Scholastic A and the Southern California Percussion Alliance, SCPA, Polly hopes to be prepared to perform in just three weeks in time for the um Monrovia High School event. ah SCPA administrators have waived the two-show minimum for Polly High School to qualify for SCPA Championships in April. They'll be a part of a future episode where we're planning to talk about and what to do in a crisis.
Safety Measures & Board Actions
00:12:33
Speaker
All right, Tony, I believe you have the next big story that's happening right now. Yeah, we, I was actually out in at the SCPA Southern California Percussion Alliance. ah Judging when all of this news broke and we were, we were kind of getting bits and pieces from our friends that were at the show, but fathers with military background subdue active shooter at Pasadena Memorial High School within 60 seconds. So yeah, this is in Pasadena, Texas.
00:13:07
Speaker
An 83-year-old man accused of shooting up Pasadena Memorial High School over the weekend told authorities that he was worried he was under attack and feared for his life. So obviously I think this was kind of a mental health crisis that happened. Police had identified the suspect, and I won't say his name, and has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
00:13:29
Speaker
Authorities say that this person entered Propasadena Memorial High School through a back door around 6 p.m. while the Texas Color Guard ah circuit drumline competition was taking place. Authorities say the man told the police he was being chased by someone and he feared that he and his wife were going to be killed.
00:13:50
Speaker
According to police, he left his home in spring and entered Pasadena Memorial and fired at least one shot at a male victim. And Angleton ISD confirmed the victim was a technical consultant. So he was a tech for a high school drum line. He posted on social media. He had a fractured bone, but is now back home from the hospital. peace Police do not believe that.
00:14:14
Speaker
No, they didn't know each other thiss this this was an altercation that you know that they had it was just a ah random accent accident and this man just picked a random person when shots rang out several parents jumped into action to stop the man and And there were six dads that took them down. And they were all, i from what I understand, from the Maryland High School Band. And the I've always talked about band moms. We always talk about band moms, band moms. Because we know in that backpack that band moms have, they can you can deploy them in any kind of war theater. And they would have everything needed to not only help
00:14:58
Speaker
the wounded in war, but they can end the war with all of what they have in their backpacks, but not in the the head about the dads. The dads are there. you know making props and and doing chili cookoffs and now security. So a big shout out to these men that that jumped into action and you know we we will do anything for our kids and I'm i'm a dad and ah I understand this, you don't think you just act. So a shout out to those brave men and I'm glad that no one was seriously injured.
00:15:34
Speaker
and um you know ah And also you know thinking about the person who did the shooting, obviously this was a mental health crisis. And and we don't want even though we don't like the results of that, we don't want to see someone struggling with that. Yeah, absolutely. you know It kind of hit close to home for all of us. It's like you know this is this happened you know in our safe space, where we normally would assume that it's a safe space. But you know the sad part of this is is that we live in a time and place where these types of incidences are happening more and more often. um A lot of the chatter that was happening was talking about you know what could circuits do and all of that. WGI did release a statement
00:16:17
Speaker
um to all of the circuit partners. And I'm not going to necessarily talk about that specifically, but, you know, as a board of directors member, I will tell you that our circuit here in Florida, the FFCC went into immediate action. We had a board meeting and we have started making sure that we're reviewing our policies on that. So much that we set out for a whole new task force on the board to to just really dive into safety and security.
00:16:43
Speaker
I spent some time today, since I and am a school district administrator, I spent time with some people who are in our risk assessment office um and kind of talked through some plans and tried to formulate that. So there's going to be a lot of information I'm pretty sure coming out from circuit to circuit in the next couple of weeks, um just addressing this because in the end, we all just want students to be safe, you know.
00:17:08
Speaker
Alright, so we're going to be working on speaking with those involved in this news story as well. Hopefully we'll get them on the podcast so we can get some some one on one feedback about what happened.
'We March' Project Introduction
00:17:20
Speaker
But I am going to go on because everyone, we have got some exciting news for those who are still looking to march this summer. Jeremy, the creator of the Instagram page, Drum Corps Today, has teamed up with Drum Corps Link on a brand new project called We March, their mission to help performers who will cut the season find a new home on the field.
00:17:44
Speaker
Right now, they're building a database that connects open spots and cores with performers still looking for a place to march. They're also working hard to get the word out to cores so that they can fill their last-minute vacancies with talented, motivated members. If you or someone you know is still searching for a spot, Jeremy has put together a Google Form to collect basic information and streamline the process. The link to the form is available in the bio of the Drum Corps Today's Instagram page.
00:18:13
Speaker
This is amazing initiative to make sure more performers get to experience the season. So spread the word and let's help as many people as possible find a home on the field. Y'all. Hey, Michael, the next story is yours. So DCI tickets go on sale on February 10th next week. So you want really good seats like me. I'd like, I'd like to make a point somewhere in push a button, and get a drink, you know, so I don't have to walk anywhere. Get those tickets early, especially if you want to try to go into, you know, if you want to go to DCI itself, get them early. Me, advocate for a DCI ticket ever.
00:19:02
Speaker
Anyway, but if you're a Jump Force fan like I am, like, just just jump on an early plan Get in there, have fun, enjoy all the great performances and great shows, and get in there and enjoy yourself. Listen, I am on a staff for a drum corps and a caption head, and I get all of like the you know perks of going in the backstage areas and all this other stuff. I'm still going to buy a ticket because I want to watch finals. yeah I'm hoping my corps is going to make finals, first of all. I'm going to say that. But I like to sit with my friends and watch finals and and have like the best seats in the house.
00:19:38
Speaker
thou yeah You know, it is what it is. Tony, you got the next story.
HBCU Bands at the Super Bowl
00:19:46
Speaker
Yes, it is. Dynamic Black Marching Bands are Super Bowl Star Wars. HBCU bands have been a part of the festivities since the first halftime show. This year's Southern University's Human Jukebox will perform before the national anthem.
00:20:06
Speaker
Long before there was Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Rihanna, there was Freddie Calston. And basically what this article kind of does was is is following Freddie Calston when he was a 20-year-old student from Fairbanks, Louisiana.
00:20:23
Speaker
when he traveled to Los Angeles and ninth in January of 1967. He had grown up in a home without indoor plumbing, but now he was staying in lavish accommodations with about 180 other members of the Grambling College marching band. Soon they would high step onto the field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to perform in the halftime show of the very first Super Bowl.
00:20:49
Speaker
so you know If we saw last year Jackson State University, Sonic Boom in the South was oh yes we was done it. And you know i we're all here in pageantry, which is a completely different style. But I can tell you right now, my love for marching band,
00:21:12
Speaker
is started from Mississippi Valley State University and it had been in Mississippi watching the Delta Devil. um The man who put the drumsticks in my hand for the first time was Don Sias and he was the section leader of the Sonic Boom of the South And the cadence sequence that they play to this day was written by that man. And that's how I started. He recently passed me two weeks ago, but he started me as a nine year old at East Elementary, ah East Elementary in Greenwood, Mississippi in the Delta.
00:21:48
Speaker
But one of the things that I'm very much an advocate for, even though I didn't attend an HBCU, it's very much in my heart because all of my family did. I took a different route. But what they bring to the table very much is as artistic as we think pageantry is. And when it comes to athletic,
00:22:16
Speaker
and athletic and discipline. if If you have never witnessed or been a part of an HBCU band camp, you would you would you would see that DCI is a bit of a... the it it's It's on the same level. And, you know, as far as the style of what HBCUs do, it is more accessible to everyone around the world. And and and I think not enough has been said about that.
00:22:43
Speaker
and So yeah, i I definitely think we're in a season now where I'm thinking, you know, we just kind of shine a spotlight on our HBCU brothers and sisters, but the the they bring the the they bring the spotlight to themselves. And I can remember taking my daughter to see Jackson State University for the first time because they came to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. And she was sitting on my lap and they marched in the Martin Luther King parade.
00:23:14
Speaker
And I had never seen this before, but they were rehearsing at Hattiesburg High School. And I don't know why, but all of a sudden they burst into Susan marches from memory and they ran about 10 of them down from memory. And it sounded just as good as anybody's went on some of them standing there. And I was like, this is just on another level.
00:23:39
Speaker
Listen, I have said on the podcast many a time that my whole existence in this world was because I wanted to be a J set from Jackson State University. And i my grandfather used to take me to those games on Saturdays and we got to see Mississippi Valley and Alcorn and Grambling and Southern University and Alabama A&M, ah all these people.
00:24:01
Speaker
And I love the fifth quarter concert because that fifth quarter concert, they're going to play some some good old school R and&B music and then they're going to give you a good old school like Sousa March or something from the classical repertoire. And they are proving that they are fantastic musicians every time. Absolutely. Absolutely. And, you know,
00:24:23
Speaker
I swerved off of the article, but I had to give my testimonial there, you know, that, you know, I think it's just an important point that needs to be highlighted whenever we have the opportunity. You know, it's funny, I originally, I was going to be a music major at Florida A&M. All my cousins and my family went to Florida A&M in Tallahassee. And my original goal in life was to go there and be a drum major, but change the identity of the Black Chords. I always felt like HBCU's Black Chords are always like the last dance line. You get everybody else, but it's always felt like, I always felt like the color guard, what do they call it? Black Chords. It's always the last to get their love. And just like you, so I ended up going for him because my mom was like, well good, you saved your grandmother. I'm like, what, what, what, what? No, I'm not doing that.
00:25:22
Speaker
and but The idea of what they do and how performance-wise what they bring is unmatched. No drum corps. I don't care who you are. To Cap Napa's bag. Just drip. No other bag. No tea, no shade. Ohio State can't touch it. Michigan can't touch it. None of that. Y'all can't touch it. USC Trophy.
00:25:57
Speaker
facebook fan is is just a thing that we just it just seeeps out of their skin is so amazing to watch. Yeah. I love Tony. You said that said that it's so accessible for everybody to be able to come to the table and be able to enjoy a performance by an HBCU u band. so yeah Go ahead. I sorry um was just saying, in any and you know In speaking and advocating for that style, I also want to say in the same breath that it doesn't have to be a zero-sum game. you know This style can exist the way it is. it can be it's It can be loved by people just as much as the Big Ten marching style, just as much as what we do in pageantry, just as much as indoor.
00:26:43
Speaker
I think our competitive spirit sometime, because we're trained to be opportunist and hop on, you know, highlight what we do at every every turn, that we feel like something has to be less for us to be more, but it all can be more at the same time.
Honda Battle of the Bands Spotlight
00:26:59
Speaker
Oh, oh, preach. Preach.
00:27:03
Speaker
So speaking of HBCU bands, six historically black colleges and universities marching bands delivered unforgettable performances because Nick Cannon hosted the inaugural West Coast Showcase with Grammy performance, with a guest performance by Grammy-nominated recording artist, Glowrilla. And each of these participating HBCU u bands were awarded $50,000 in grants from Honda for music education and career development. This was at the Honda Yeah, clap for that. This is at the Honda Battle of the Bands, the nation's premier showcase for historically black college and university marching bands. They marked a milestone this weekend with its first ever West Coast appearance at SoFi Stadium on February 1st, drawing tens of thousands of fans, students, and alumni to celebrate the rich culture and traditions of HBCUs.
00:27:56
Speaker
Attendees were thrilled by dynamic performances from six HBCU marching bands dance teams during the HBOB Invitational Showcase, now celebrating its 19th year. For the first time ever, this year's Honda Battle of the Bands brought the incredible talent, passion, and culture of HBCUs to the West Coast, said Jasmine Cockfield, Honda Battle of the Bands project lead at honda American Honda Motor Company.
00:28:21
Speaker
She said, Honda is proud to celebrate these exceptional students and institutions, and we look further forward to further driving the legacy of HBCUs through our ongoing support of the HBCU community. This year's event theme, Driving the Legacy of HBCUs, honored the heritage of HBCUs and their critical role in fostering higher education and opportunities for advancement within the Black community.
00:28:44
Speaker
Posted by multi hyphenated entertainer and entrepreneur Nick Cannon, the 25 HBO B showcase feature performances by Alabama A and&M University's Marching Maroon and White Van, the Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets,
00:29:01
Speaker
Hampton University's The Marching Force, North Carolina eight A and&T State University's The Blue and Gold Marching Machine, Southern University's Human Jukebox, and the University of Arkansas at Palm Bluff, Marching Musical Machine of the Mid Sound. Capping off the showcase.
00:29:21
Speaker
yep Having off the showcase, Grammy-nominated hip-hop star, Gloria, brought the house down with a high-energy performance that had the audience on its feet. If you want to find out more about this and you want to relive it, visit the website at www.hondabattleofthebands.com or following the official HBOB social media channels on Facebook at facebook dot.com backslash Honda Battle of the Vans on Instagram at the underscore Honda and on X at the underscore Honda. I think it it it warms my heart.
00:30:04
Speaker
and simultaneously blows my mind that a Japanese automaker is highlighting African-American excellence in the United States. That's so awesome. Yeah, that's fantastic. OK, everyone, we've got to get back out there for a dance block, and then Tony is going to take us on the hand clap part, and we'll be back with some more.
00:30:40
Speaker
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Guard Closet was founded as a consignment shop in 2000. Since then, it has grown to become your one-stop shop for the marching arts. Do you need consignment uniforms and flags for your color guard, marching band, or drumline? We have thousands of sets of consignments in stock and ready to ship.
00:31:00
Speaker
Do you need show design and custom choreography? Our designers have years of experience in the marching arts. Do you need to sell your items and clear out your storage areas? We take in more than 600 sets of consignments each year and return hundreds of thousands of dollars to our consigners for their sales. Do you need to have your students order shoes, gloves, and other equipment? We can set up a microsite for easy student ordering of a wide variety of items.
00:31:26
Speaker
to unique custom costumes or flags. We can help get you great designs from our team through top vendors like Show Day Design. Have you listened to our podcast on a water break? Weekly episodes and bonus content keep you entertained and informed with what's going on in the marching arts. For over 25 years, Guard Closet has been here to help. Check us out at guardcloset.com or follow us on social media.
00:32:02
Speaker
And we are back. everyone put your equipment down because we are about ready to fill you all with some knowledge.
DEI in Marching Arts
00:32:10
Speaker
So I want to start with where the activity is today. And I know that we had the WGI Roundtable for DEI a few days ago. That was a great conversation. you know We know and understand that there are not that many performers of color. We know that there are not that many directors and designers and judges.
00:32:32
Speaker
of color. you know But that's kind of a baseline. We also know that there are red states and blue states and there's politics involved in all of that stuff and there's conversation happening on DEI all around and trying to paint DEI in a negative manner.
00:32:47
Speaker
You know, like that doesn't, that that' that's not about us. We are a pageantry organization and we have always been open and accepting of everyone. So I just kind of want to open up the floor to my friends on this podcast right now to just talk about like, where are we
Challenges in Pageantry Arts
00:33:05
Speaker
now? Tony, I think you have some great words on this. Yeah. Right after the summer of 2020,
00:33:14
Speaker
and all events surrounding George Floyd and and you know kind of America's reckoning with race and race relations and all of that. I wrote an article for the Percussive Arts Society, Percussive Notes, and the topic was this. you know what Where are we?
00:33:34
Speaker
in our music communities. and i you know And I think pageantry is a niche of a niche. And you know i I think because we have such a diverse in terms of our race, ethnicity, are who we choose to love, all of how we identify ourselves and us being artists, we're gonna get there faster in pageantry and And the rest of America is kind of a lagging indicator. And so what I saw was that we're in a place where we get it. We know those things that you talked about. they and and And the way we are in pageantry is that we want to stop talking about it. We want to do something about it. that that's we We are used to dealing with condensed time frames and having to do
00:34:32
Speaker
20 years worth of work in two days. that That's just how we're wired. So what do we do? I think there's just not a lot of us out there, you know, who have developed into being able to build our crafts and, you know, all of the things that everybody on this podcast had to do to find those mentors, to to fight negativity, not only from, you know, walking into a room of people that don't look like you, but your own people that don't understand why you've chosen this path. There's a lot of sacrifices and self soul searching that we had to do just to get to this point. And it's just not a lot of us that would endure that. Look at me, I look like a junior college football coach.
00:35:18
Speaker
And no one understood why I was listening to Puccini. That was just what I developed into. And I had to fight a lot. of negativity all around me to go. This is who I am. So this is a finite group of people and to to beat people over the head and go, well, why don't you have this many blah, blah, blah? what There's there's black people and people of color are like 13 percent of the nation overall. And then you pair that down to who fought through all of that to be who we are. That's an even smaller group. So the point of my article was
00:35:59
Speaker
We need to turn our focus away from the now and go to what we can do to build a future. And it was something that that, you know, everybody is looking at someone else. Something Terry Sanders said to me that meant a lot to me. I remember we were in the parking lot. I was in the parking lot with Petal High School in 2019 for the world ah scholastic world finals. And he just walks up to me and his eyes were like puffy. And I've never never seen Terry as emotional. Terry is one of my mentors. He goes, you need to stand out front. He's like, I know you don't like taking credit for things, but you need to stand out front.
00:36:40
Speaker
Because in this crowd someone some in this crowd somewhere, there's a future Tony Lyman out there that needs to see that you are responsible for doing this and that it's possible. And it changed my whole way of looking at all of this.
00:36:57
Speaker
That's where we need to focus our attention is where are the future? Michael James is where are the future Sabine's where where are those people? They need to see that this can be created because I know for myself um There weren't a lot of every room that I entered it was all people that didn't look like me And i whether it was the case or not, I constantly felt underestimated. um I felt like I had to overachieve to start at zero. And you know it and and from that, you know i just I just did it. Failure was not an option. It's like that scene from from Apollo 13 where they had like a a home from a radiator and a couple of
00:37:46
Speaker
a pair of gardening shears. And it's like, we got to get them from outer space to here in you know on earth. And failure is not an option. And that's kind of how I operate it. So I think that's where we focus our attention. I think we have everyone's attention right now. I think everybody who is operating in good faith is, it it is the I think that's the majority now.
00:38:13
Speaker
I feel like pageantry has gotten into a place where if you're not on board with this kind of thing, and if you're not operating in good faith, you're not going to last very long. So we have the you have the opportunity. We have the people. We have the environment. Let's look at the kids we can pull up from here.
Expressing Black Experiences
00:38:33
Speaker
Yeah. You know what's funny? It's like i when I started this whole journey, I did not look at myself as a Black instructor. I was just trying to do something that felt good to my soul. And along the way, I started, and it wasn't and it was a long time before I even realized, you know, what, and I hate the word legend and all that kind of stuff. It just feels like a feeling. For me personally, it feels a little bit self serving. I don't want to call myself that, because I still feel to this day that I still have to like prove myself, even though I felt like I've done plenty, you know, to,
00:39:13
Speaker
whatever that is, people to notice my work or whatever. But on the side of like, yes, the pageantry world has accepted me and allowed me to flourish of who I am. But there was always that side of me that I felt like I had to make sure that they understood. Like when I was in high school and my friends would give me a ride home from band practice,
00:39:40
Speaker
they were scared to come onto my side of the town. in St. Petersburg is north side and the south side. And I grew up on the south side. I wasn't in like the worst part of the south side, but those white kids were not used to going anywhere past Central Avenue. Now it's way more better now, obviously, but for them to like get on the other side and just say and vice versa, as a black kid, you didn't want to get on the north side of town after a certain type of thing.
00:40:08
Speaker
unless you were with your white friends so they could protect you. So it was just one of those things when I started, you know, really digging in and wanting to be a designer. It wasn't because I didn't, probably I noticed people like Pete Dawson and like, wow. And I realized that he was a world-class instructor. It was possible, right? But it was not something that was in my head. It was just something that I felt like I had something to say from my perspective.
00:40:36
Speaker
that no other white designer could do. And it's still to this day, I have to choose and be very mindful, and demure, about what shows I want to do. About what shows I want to do, because, especially the joining community, there's nothing wrong with it, but they don't have this thing experiences as I do as my white colleagues or counterparts, if that makes any sense. So last year, I literally did a show about this painting that my mom had in one of her bedrooms in our house growing up. And I just remember the painting and I and i thought to recreate that. Every judge that I talked about, they they had no idea. So I can't pull from Black experiences
00:41:34
Speaker
because they can't relate. I have to pick and choose when I want to. Which is awful, but it is what it is. You can't ask a white judge to understand where where I'm coming from if they've never experienced it. It's easier on the other side. you know So sometimes I'll just, okay, I'll just do this because it's easier for them to digest. Should it be that way? No, it's just easier because, you know,
00:42:04
Speaker
That's what it is. So. I will say this, Michael. I think one of the things why, you know first of all, backtracking and saying, you know looking at legends and standing out front, Tony, you know you are always one of my heroes. And then I worked with you forever. But Michael James was my color guard hero and getting to see him and do the stuff that he does. So just know that you were my person that I looked up to. And I tell you this all the time. But you know I think that you, as an artist,
00:42:33
Speaker
are educating more people on parts of the Black experience because even not knowing the true backstory of that painting from last year. So that the original version of that with Tiana dancing for a whole minute straight in the beginning, like that brought everyone into that experience.
00:42:50
Speaker
And I think that sometimes we are able to use this art form, if we do it smart like you do, to make people curious about it, to make them go and do their research. Because it's no longer a time for us to constantly say, you should know this, you should know this. It's like, hey, this is what this is. And if you want to know more about this, take a look take a little bite of this. Take a little more smell of it. Yeah. And trust me, I grappled with that the first half of the season because of the arena that we're in.
00:43:19
Speaker
They didn't want to deal with watching her for a whole minute. They couldn't deal with it. And my my argument was, would you go to a dance concert and tell them, I don't like that person. of to being half by himself that I I just, I need something else. I say, you call yourself the sport of the arts, but you really are trying to like dilute the artistic part of it. That's the artistic expression of it. And it's not like she couldn't hold her.
00:43:46
Speaker
okay So I had to have that conversation. go when like Yeah. But when this happens against oranges, and you know, another team is already from like 13 sevens. It's only been in a minute and a half. Okay. Yeah. So you have to like, yeah. yeah and And I think speaking to that point, I think ah assuming or or kind of brow beating people for you should know this or you you should have done the work. I think that's something that we need to let go. I think we need to meet people where they are. Yeah. If they're operating in good faith and and we have their attention, we need to use our voice and use our platform and use our art to educate them on our experience.
00:44:39
Speaker
And just assume that everybody's operating in good faith until they give you a reason not to. Correct. Absolutely. But on the latter part of that, I know they're not understanding because I don't want to talk about just the 60s or civil rights or, you know, it's easier for you to judge me because I have to look like African to put you on African dance. That's easy. That's been done a million times.
00:45:06
Speaker
i I'm making you understand something completely on a different level that forces you to think on a more intellectual level, not something for you, that's easy for you to digest. I'm not trying to do it. I'm not trying to do it. No, I'm still trying to get it. We're not monitoring. We get so many other things other than the civil rights movement. Allow us to do that. That's my thing. That's all. You allow other scientists to talk about
00:45:37
Speaker
Hell, they can come out and say, we're we're just sun goddesses. You don't sit there and go, well, I've never seen a sun goddess, so I don't really know that. No, they just take it. You understand what I'm saying? So make sure that you're giving us the same feedback. Like, yes, I you know i get that. And you know judge it for what it is, artistically. Yeah, I don't really understand all of that, but I get it. When George Zingali did Candide or whatever,
00:46:06
Speaker
I've never seen Kennedy, the actual opera, but I didn't care because visually and what they were doing, everything. That was everything. But no one said, yeah, but are you really Jewish?
00:46:21
Speaker
you don't know you There was no. So and I was saying they're doing that to me. I'm just saying, yes, I want them. I will meet them halfway. but I can't meet you halfway if I'm already reaching past the halfway point before you win. Oh, wow. It's heavy. It's heavy. I digress. Sabine, you know, you are new and not new. You've been around the block for a while now, but you know, you're you're the young blood on this on this ah podcast today. You know, what are your thoughts and your experiences?
Inclusivity & Representation Journey
00:46:57
Speaker
Yeah, my experiences have been very interesting to say the least.
00:47:03
Speaker
I'm thankful that I had Michael James as my instructor, right? To start off in that. Yeah, that really helped mold what I wanted the activity to be like for myself and what I wanted it to be for my future students, right?
00:47:24
Speaker
so Thankfully, he when when I was under his direction as a student, he made sure to talk about, you know, be yourself, right? yeah Get the training, especially as an African-American woman that my parents were also immigrants. I never had dance training. I never had that kind of exposure into that. So it was really vital and important that somebody was like,
00:47:51
Speaker
Let's open up these avenues and open up these opportunities to you, and this is how, right? But with that being said, our instructors too, he chose wisely. He chose instructors that valued what we would have as far as dance type tell, how our hair would be, and how it would be inclusive to us, right? So that our hair was also not, I wasn't gonna strip my hair to make it look, you know,
00:48:21
Speaker
a certain way to match. Like, yes, we can all have a bun, but I'm not going to straighten my hair and damage my hair, my natural hair to form to the look, right?
00:48:33
Speaker
And I thought that was important. I've also been to other organizations where they gave me a pair of jet black tights and they said, this should match, right? And I looked at them like, what? Like be so for real. Thankfully, and right at that point in time, I had already started bringing, producing my own products. Like I was bringing my own dance tights that match my skin because I didn't know that maybe when I step outside of an organization that it maybe doesn't have that.
00:49:03
Speaker
that would be exposed to the point where I needed to bring my own because maybe I was the only one, right? And there were organizations where I was the only African-American female in that organization. So maybe they didn't know how to cater to that, right? But also with my job, I felt like at the time, too, to educate.
00:49:26
Speaker
not to only just be like, hey, well, that clearly that doesn't match me and obviously be upset about it, but also educate them and say, hey, well, this is why it doesn't match. And then this is why that would look a certain way. And so that's where I felt I started to see a shift and a dynamic change, because after some time I brought that to my students. I made sure that each student, if I had girls with curly hair, even now, my team is very like diverse.
00:49:55
Speaker
i bunch of diverse students. I even tell them like, hey, I want this look, but can you add gel? Can you do these X, Y, and Z factors to get this look that I'm trying to achieve? And we will give them five different hairstyles just so they can all feel beautiful in their skin, but also still as an instructor and director, produce the results that I want, right? And some work organizations don't do that. Yeah.
00:50:25
Speaker
And so it got to the point where I think a few organizations, it was shortly after george flord George Floyd, some organizations reached out and there was one marching band started doing the no shake-o's. And they said, hey, but we want to be able to cater to our friends that have the braids. And how do I tell them, you know, their braids are not neat? Or if they take their braids out, what's the next style it can to have them do where it's going to look nice without a shake-o on?
00:50:54
Speaker
And so I made like, you know, I was thankful that those instructors reached out because I thought i thought that was important because they they don't know how to have that conversation with Susie, right? Because they might feel uncomfortable with saying, hey, your hair doesn't match the vibe, right? But if it comes from somebody else that is another African-American person in the community and says, hey, these are your options. You took your braids out. You can do twist. You can do a braid. You can do this with your natural hairstyle. I gave maybe like five or six different Shaco options and a video a how to YouTube video on how to do that and provided it to that band. And they still use it to this day. But I know that
00:51:43
Speaker
It took a band director to say, hey, this is what I want for my program. So everybody feels comfortable. And I thought that was super important because when I was marching, that wasn't the case. Nobody was coming out and saying, hey, for being very comfortable. So now it's trending in the right direction where we're so we're starting to, you know, people are starting to say, hey, what can we do to make sure all of our kids feel comfortable in their skin, but also feel confident on the floor or out on the field with what we're asking from them. And I think that's where I'm excited to see that, you know, trend forward. And i it's nice to see. I'm like so passionate about it. So, yeah.
00:52:27
Speaker
Yeah, Sabine, it's nice that you say, because that kind of links to back to what Tony was saying. like you know As an activity, because we are so forward thinking and we are so accepting of everyone, the sheer fact of when this conversation started happening in the color guard world, it was like, hey, this is something that's kind of bothering us. And people have started reaching out. I know I've i've had several people you know that reach out to me and say, hey, I have a person with this type of hair in my color guard. What's something that you would do with that?
00:52:55
Speaker
or you know the question of what's the best place to buy tights from to match all of my my performer's skin tones. I will tell you when I was back back in my day when I was marching you had the nude color gloves that did not match my skin tone especially after being outside in the sun for drum corps or you have black. And I remember being at, I'll call it out by name, I remember being at the Pride of Cincinnati and there were several other black performers there and we got new gloves and they said, we're going to teach you how to dye these gloves with tea.
00:53:30
Speaker
And we had a tea dyeing party to match our skin tone. That was before companies had those colors. And just that it was the simple thing of like that, of one having a community of people there with me and being able to say, this is how we're going to mold it. And so the people at the Pride of Cincinnati at that time were definitely forward thinking. And that was an option that they presented. They were like, you know we want your your gloves to match you. we want We don't want you to have these like crazy color hands.
00:53:57
Speaker
If you're using that and doing all the stuff with it, we want it to look like you. So I'm glad to see that the activity has moved itself and moved shifted the needle so that when you don't know, do you feel comfortable enough to go and ask someone who does not? Oh, absolutely. Anybody else got anything else they want to say while we're in here having church, honey? Because I feel like we are just just solving the world's problems just by having a conversation.
00:54:22
Speaker
um so what i Yes. Okay everyone, so let's get back out onto the floor so the guest clinicians can get into sectionals.
00:54:45
Speaker
Marching by Montez is a visual design business based out of Raleigh, North Carolina, but provides services to ensembles all across the country. Our services include custom drill and staging for marching bands, indoor winds, indoor percussion, and winter guards, as well as custom band and guard choreography for all three winter idioms and marching bands.
00:55:06
Speaker
We now offer program coordination for ensembles throughout the U.S. and custom graphic design for all of your uniform, props, flags, and floor needs.
00:55:19
Speaker
In-person and virtual program consultation options are now available through Marching by Montes, as well as custom sound design for your indoor winds backing tracks, winter guard soundtrack, and show soundscape needs.
00:55:32
Speaker
visit us at marchingbymontes.com, contact us at joey at marchingbymontes.com, and check us out on social media at marchingbymontes.
00:55:56
Speaker
Okay, everyone, we are starting a new segment called 60-Second Tech Block.
Performance Preparation Tips
00:56:02
Speaker
Each week, one of our hosts or guest clinicians will be forced to give a 60-second tech session with the section needing it the most after the last run. So basically, our special tech this week has to choose three topics they think they can give a 60-second nonstop speech about and maybe help some people out there.
00:56:21
Speaker
Michael James, this week, my friend, you are up. Are you ready for this? So, Michael, you said that your best topics were movement versus compulsories as movement, the importance of an all flag feature, and Sabine, as a former student who has a backstory for something and she has always wanted to know, is how to keep a weave in while spinning.
00:56:47
Speaker
okay so Panelists, what do you think? What topics should Michael talk about? I think he should be. He should be unbelievable. and I believe in his answer. So yeah. Hands down, Michael. We need to know how to keep a weave in while spinning. Michael James, are you ready? Yeah. Hello, backstory.
00:57:13
Speaker
Oh yeah, go ahead. so being The back story on this one. OK, so this person claims OK that the weave fell out. During a hard toss, OK, but I understand that some other people claim that the weave was pulled out. Out of frustration. So let's talk about how to keep it in for performance. Which one was it?
00:57:43
Speaker
All right, Tony, can you give me a 60-second timer on your phone? I am ready. All right. 60 seconds on the clock! First of all, you need to have a good sew-in for a lot of body pins. And first of all, if you don't rehearse with the weave, don't have the weave without a performance deck.
00:58:13
Speaker
And all of a sudden, you got made out of one eye. You can't see your equipment. I say, stick to a weave that can move around the head by my ear so you can see your equipment. Period. And I can do that in less than 50 seconds.
00:58:29
Speaker
yeah
00:58:35
Speaker
She pulled it off. Second take block. You're gonna have to, you have to change the segment now. 60 seconds, 10 seconds. I am here for the definitive fact that he said in 30 seconds, I'm gonna tell you exactly what you need to do to keep that weave in. And it is factual based information.
00:59:06
Speaker
And basically it was, it was you gotta to just get yourself together before you show up to the dance. so
00:59:15
Speaker
Absolutely. Don't be putting that on other people. Now listen, it I'm gonna say the words of wisdom, the best part of that, and I hope that this clip is pulled up on the clips, is if you don't practice with the weave, don't come to the show with the weave on. I love that one, okay? Okay. This is seriously, we practice how we perform for this very reason. It doesn't even look like a Dollar General parking lot at the end of the performance. Right.
00:59:48
Speaker
a Oh, well with that, I think it's a perfect time to talk about what are we doing?
Percussion vs. Color Guard Debate
00:59:55
Speaker
What are we doing? What are we doing? All right, let's move on to our host, Tony, or as I like to call you, Sugar Mama Daddy.
01:00:12
Speaker
There's a whole story behind that. All right, so here's my what are we doing? And I'm coming after Color Guard for this one. This is a world championship. First of all, in UD Arena, y'all coming out the wrong, you're coming down the, coming on the wrong side. That's not the correct side. First of all, second of all, I feel like y'all are trolling the percussion because y'all come out there with your floor and you're like,
01:00:41
Speaker
And you pull it out, you're like hugging each other and like got secret handshakes and y'all just all relaxed. Meanwhile, in the percussion world, we're trying to make sure that our light show and our main stage is working and that all of this, and and we just like. yeah I feel like y'all are trolling us by how relaxed you are coming onto the floor. So that's what are we doing? It's a different vibe. Hold on to the vibe.
01:01:11
Speaker
that first of all i've been regard of world championships, y'all is literally like being 50 more. When they pulled that, cause I was there with infinity world, they pulled that curtain back on side two, which number one is wrong. And it's like, it's clearly like, no, everything goes to slow motion and they got to plug everything up and everything's running, running, running. It was like, do go, go, go, go. This is a lot.
01:01:41
Speaker
Yes. It's a lot. And, and we ain't trouble y'all because VTube is watching our own shows when it's world class finals. Those percussion kids are not, they, those percussion kids paid $100 to go to world class finals, but where are they? In the parking lot. In the parking lot. In the parking lot. So now, it's a token. Oh man, I just got wasted. It's all sent to me. Everyone's watching everybody.
01:02:13
Speaker
Sorry, Tony. Yeah, I guess we we brought this on ourselves. It's so weird. Oh, God, it's live. I'm going to chime in on this one, too, because I'm like, why do y'all go if you just like, why why do you even care about what the show music is or whatever? If you're just standing out in the parking lot watching people do eight on a hand for hours, hours.
01:02:39
Speaker
I just realized when I brought this up that I'm outmatched right here. i have I'm in the wrong house. There are my grievances. As the kids say, you tried. I tried. I will say this about indoor percussion. They will try anything. Like who is it? striking Did some show that came common arms come in at the end of the show? I was like,
01:03:08
Speaker
who they miss such percussionists because they don't see, well, we can't do that or that's not gonna, they don't care. Y'all just shows that I'm like this. They care about, they don't care about what people like. Honestly. We thinking it, we doing it.
01:03:31
Speaker
Yeah, there's such an innovation that comes from that percussion world. And like, especially when it comes to props and stuff like that, in color guard world, we used to have a little curtain in the back. And that was it. And now I mean, because the drum line out there with all this crazy stuff, like we feel like we're trying to keep up with all that stuff. Y'all y'all are doing it. I will say this about color guard, the amount of energy of appreciation of every moment is electrifying. I mean,
01:04:03
Speaker
I feel dumb when I'm in the color guard room because everybody starts clapping. I was like, what what happened? i What just happened? Oh, OK. All right. I get it now. They just did a back flip and you didn't really need to. but and Exactly. But but just I can only imagine as a performer getting that instant feedback of something that you've just done and just have it come at you.
01:04:28
Speaker
moment after moment after moment. You know, with us, there's a there's a we have kind of ah a dual vibe. We have some of that, but we're also playing our soundtrack. So there's some of the stuff that comes along with being in a concert where you don't want to usurp the moment with, you know, you don't want to interrupt the moment.
01:04:47
Speaker
with your appreciation. Sometimes your appreciation is silence. But that's really hard when you're a 13-year-old freshman and and you're struggling with that base four. It's probably good to get a little little applause there. Absolutely. Michael James, since you were so quick to roast Tony on his what are we doing? What are we doing? God, there's so many things. What are we doing?
01:05:17
Speaker
um Are we still doing across the floors as this dance combinations in a color art show? Yeah. In the show or before the show? In the show, as your choreographer.
01:05:29
Speaker
oh or It's okay to like make yourself learn some moves or teach your kids actual choreography, not something that they've been doing across the floor in the gym since August, because we can all tell.
01:05:48
Speaker
If you're going to tell a pot of beret into a sine, into what they call a calypso that rolls to the ground, we've all seen it. I feel so exposed right now. That's fine. Let's go. Don't fall to the ground. 90.8, 90.9, I know you're going to roll to the ground. That's all. Listen, it's Michael James just came for me. Explore who's next.
01:06:20
Speaker
They don't grow as performers. They literally learn the same thing every year. They don't grow as movers. So your program doesn't grow. It's just like if I was a drummer. I don't want to just do peridials all the time. I want to do some five-stroke rolls. I want to do some rim shots. See, I've done a couple of things, right? I want to start giving them deeper choreography and movement.
01:06:46
Speaker
Because you never know, that kid can go on to take dance class in college and they'll just grow as a human being. Because performing arts is very essential to everything we do as humans. Preach.
01:07:02
Speaker
Not just sachets and sautées. Thank you. Amen. C'est bien, presso. What are we doing? What are we doing?
01:07:14
Speaker
you Okay, so this one I thought about it a few times. um It's got to be with the costuming. Okay.
01:07:30
Speaker
Okay, there's some things out there, a little scandalous. Okay, so ah ah yeah less tops for our man. So what are we doing? okay I know it's a little out there. It was risque, but now it's time to get rid of risque.
01:07:55
Speaker
i I have been teaching for a long time. And I will tell you, like you can tell regionally where people are from by what they're wearing. Yes. Because 90% of the time, I'm going to expose my friends down in South Florida and Miami. If you see a color guard come in and you got thighs out and sides out and everything else, chances are they're going to be from Miami.
01:08:25
Speaker
They are. They're going to be from Florida. Florida don't care, man. They coming out. Or California. What's going on? Why don't we do it? Yeah, but the Midwest girlies, they're going to be covered up, baby. They're going to give you a skirt, a robe. It's cold.
01:08:44
Speaker
but Yeah, it's too cold to do that. Speaking of, what are we doing? Dude, right? But what are we doing is, why is it February and I'm rehearsing outside and getting eaten up by mosquitoes and no seeds? That's what are we doing. but awesome um like we We had that whole conversation the other day, Michael. we You definitely don't do outside.
01:09:08
Speaker
i And mosquitoes in February. ah Mosquitoes in February. It was so hot tonight at rehearsal. My hands are, you know, I'm wearing but i'm wearing a sweater because it's cold in my office, but I did have outside rehearsal because we don't have anywhere else to rehearse. But I am eating up with mosquito bites tonight. And it's February.
01:09:29
Speaker
Over it. Great job, everyone. Set your equipment down. Gun and go.
01:09:36
Speaker
All right, my friends, we are in the final realm of this. We have talked about what are we doing. So now I wanna know what all of you are gushing and going about. Tony, you have a big one right now. Huge gush and go, and we wanna hear all about it.
01:09:53
Speaker
Yes, I am have in production with for a YouTube channel. And the YouTube channel is something that I'm very passionate about.
Demystifying Design on YouTube
01:10:04
Speaker
It's called a Zero to Hero Pageantry Design for the Left Behind. And just in my travels throughout this entire pageantry. The Michael James is a Sabine's and the Ricardo's are in the 1%. And, you know, Ricardo, you and I worked at Petal High School together. And I always called that starting a lemonade stand in the desert. We had none of the things that all of these other schools had. And we just had to figure it out. We had to build a community around it and and lift it up from that.
01:10:41
Speaker
And but, you know, I we were fortunate enough to have people in the pageantry arts that were at some of those places that we could bring in and get offer different perspectives. But what I see a lot is a lot of schools that other 99 percent struggling. They see they'll go and they'll see an Avon or they'll go see Chino Hills or they'll go see, you know, all these schools that that have rich tradition and pageantry and they have no idea how they got to it.
01:11:11
Speaker
And so what they wind up doing is either paying some designer who that's not right for them and or they have a bake sale and they go buy all of the things that they think they need and they don't know how to use them or they wind up choosing a show because they saw Ayala High School do this esoteric dark demon show or whatever they think. Well, that's what people are doing and they wind up getting in trouble.
01:11:40
Speaker
So what I want to do is bring the design community to those people to demystify some of that and to bring some of that.
01:11:52
Speaker
but could show people what it is, how they can take what they, seeing something that they love and design, seeing something that they like and designing something that they love and understand the fundamentals of it. So that's what I'm doing with it. It's going to be a lot of, um, uh,
01:12:11
Speaker
i've ah I'm patterning the channel after my friend, like when i I used to be in a rock band before my pageantry career and decided that wasn't a life for me. But my producer back then was a guy named Rick Beato. And I've been friends with him for the past 20 years and he has a very, very robust YouTube channel. So I'm going to kind of pattern my channel after his and he's actually helped me out with this.
01:12:36
Speaker
so that ah I can do for pageantry what he's done for that world of music. So um the channel is going to be zero to the number two dash hero pageantry arts. It'll be um I'll probably provide all of this stuff when's podcast come or when this podcast comes out. But that's my passion is to make sure that you know, the Little Creek High School bands in nowhere, United States get the same thing as the kids in Southern California, Florida and Indiana and Texas. I love it. After doing the work, my friend, I'm so proud of you. I can't wait to see this and collaborate with you some on it and get it out there in the world.
01:13:20
Speaker
One of the segments I'm doing is called Dinner with Designers. I'm going to reach out to everybody on here, and we're going to go out to dinner. I'm going to film the whole thing, and I'm going to ask questions.
01:13:33
Speaker
and and just see like I want people to see how you arrived at being a struggling freshman you know, with your, you know, flag tape wrong to what you're doing now. And so that people, the future designers of the world can see the pathway. And so that the people who might hire you understand that you're human and that you you care about what they're doing.
01:14:00
Speaker
You know that my episode, when I do that with you, it's going to have to be at Crescent City Grill in Hatties Park, Mississippi. When I said that, that's what that's the restaurant I had in my mind. Michael James, what are you guessing it going about?
Self-care & Inspiration in Arts
01:14:15
Speaker
It's not, it honestly doesn't have anything to do with color gardening, but just making sure that I take time out for myself to go be inspired by watching dance companies or In the end of 2019, I actually started to think to myself, I'm like, wow, you really work really hard. And doing this, would you don't ever take time out for yourself or you just treat yourself? So we all know what happened in 2020, but you know I started you know trying to go to New York more, or if I see a dance company that that doesn't come to Florida, but I mean, unfortunately, we don't get a lot. We do get we we do get some. but
01:14:56
Speaker
Not a lot. It's Orlando, it's Florida, right? So you you have to go to Atlanta or you go to New York City. So if there was somebody that I really want to see, so since 2019 or the beginning of 2020, I'm just looking forward to try to see more stuff in New York because that's pretty much the mecca of arts, right? So I'm a little upset that I didn't get a chance to see that game exhibit that was out. It's done next, it's done this week.
01:15:26
Speaker
But maybe it'll show up again somewhere. But I really want to go see Mark the Grand Bands Company. They're doing some new stuff right now. I think it's a lot of key lines, Valerie and Dallas. Amazing. um Just being inspired by that, not trying to take their concept or whatever they're doing about stage in terms of wearing our own show.
01:15:56
Speaker
I digress. But just to kind of like get get my soul filled back up. Yeah, refilling your cup. so you can't pull You can't fill other people's cups if your cup is empty. So you got to fill it. that
01:16:14
Speaker
Sabine, do you have anything that you're gushing and going about right now? I sure am. um So this past year, I've actually been working on my own company.
01:16:25
Speaker
It's called Diverse, D-Y-V-R-S. um And I was trying to make a platform to just open up a more streamlined avenue for dance types, jazz shoes, gloves, all of the above for all diversified. Yeah, so I've been working heavy on that and just really because the more I'm surrounded by my students the more I'm surrounded just by the arts in general there is no there's multiple sites for it right but there is nothing out there that is a soul site for our diverse community which it like I want it to be from your most albino girl to the most beautiful dark skin girl that you have
01:17:18
Speaker
but where they can just jump into there and say, give me my swatch, match themselves, and they will be fully comfortable in a pair of tights that they can go out there and be their best. And so that's what I've been working on for this entire year that I've been really passionate about. Oh, we can't wait to see this come into fruition. I'm so excited for you. Y'all, my friends are doing big things now.
01:17:44
Speaker
Hey, it's called Gush and Go, not Gush and Stay. Let's go. Hey, everybody. Thanks for a great rehearsal this week, and what a great way to kick off Black History Month. Thank you to our guest clinicians this week, and good luck with your season. Will you guys tell us where to find you on social? Sabine, where can we find you? Yeah, you can find me on Instagram. It's called FierceFrancois, and on Facebook, that is SabineFrancois. Love it.
01:18:14
Speaker
Michael James, what about you? You can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, or you can find me on Facebook at MichaelJamesGuides, Tony or you can dot find me on Lyman and Lyman spell with an O and Facebook at MichaelJames on Instagram at Tony underscore Lyman. Love it. Guys, as always, you can find me at Ricardo R. Robinson on the Instagram. So you got a question or a good topic to email us about at on a water break podcast at Gmail dot com or buy this on social media and DM us if you want to be on the show.
01:19:03
Speaker
We even have a new form for you to fill out if you want to be a guest. We love having people on the podcast, so check that out at our link in the bio on our social media, or you could just take out your phone, make a video, and send it to us, and maybe you'll see yourself on the podcast soon.
01:19:20
Speaker
One more thing, don't forget, we have our YouTube channel that has many of our interviews as full video editions, so go and subscribe so you don't miss those. So before you close out of your podcast listening app, go subscribe, write us a review, and share this with a friend. Follow us on social media at onawaterbreak, and we'll see you at the next rehearsal on a water break. And go crack.
01:19:51
Speaker
The On A Water Break podcast was produced by Jeremy Williams and The intro and outro music was produced by Josh Lyda. To learn more, visit LydaMusic.com. And until next time, thanks for tuning in.