Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Water Break Weekly: Inside Pride Guards, Parade Performance & LGBTQIA+ Marching Bands
180 Plays1 month ago
🎙️ Welcome to On A Water Break — your sideline pass to the world of drum corps, marching band, color guard, and the marching arts!
This week, we’re turning the spotlight on LGBTQIA+ performers, educators, and community leaders who are making Pride not just a celebration—but a statement.
🫶 Host Ricardo Robinson-Shinall and co-host Whitney Stone are joined by an all-star panel:
- Cameron Elliott, former Artistic Director for the World Pride Marching Band and longtime leader with Charlotte Pride Band
- Chad Greife, director of the St. Louis Pride Guard
- Danielle Young, co-director of the Indy Pride Guard and national adjudicator
Together, they share heartfelt stories, hilarious moments, and hard-won lessons from building Pride Guards and Bands across the country. From battling heat exhaustion on parade routes to coordinating hundreds of performers with just a few rehearsals, this episode dives deep into the passion, logistics, and legacy behind these vital community groups.
💬 Topics include:
- How Indy Pride Guard and St. Louis Pride Guard were founded
- Behind-the-scenes stories from World Pride and local parades
- The role of color guard and marching band in queer visibility
- Superstitions, glitter, flag swaps, and... serving face when the hottie walks by
👀 Plus: A viral-worthy 60-Second Tech Block from Cameron, Water We Doing?! rants on parade policies and superstition, and a round of Gush & Go that’ll leave you smiling.
🎧 Sponsored by
Guard Closet – your one-stop shop for all things marching arts.
Website: guardcloset.com | IG: @guardcloset
Peak Group Travel – travel planning for your next band trip, competition, or parade.
Website: peakgrouptravel.com | IG: @peakgrouptravel
📬 Have a story or want to be a guest?
Email: onawaterbreakpodcast@gmail.com
Guest Sign-Up: https://forms.gle/7GcpYZLfY8Uo54pp9
📱 Follow us @onawaterbreak on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Recommended
Transcript
Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Marching Arts
00:00:00
Speaker
Hey everyone, and welcome to a special bonus episode of on a Water Break. This week, we're celebrating the power, visibility, and inspiration of LGBTQIA plus marching arts groups around the country.
00:00:13
Speaker
We'll find out what made Chad say. I always hug Britney before I go out, and I didn't hug Britney before. So if I don't, I'm going to have a bad show. And why Whitney said, we did Shazay, double stag, double stag, low Shanae, high Shanae, Calypso. All this and more right here on this bonus episode of On a Water Break.
00:00:37
Speaker
Adolph the Met and go. Welcome to On a Water Break. The podcast where we talk everything marching arts.
00:00:49
Speaker
Everyone, bring it in. It's time for a water break. Hey, everyone. It's Ricardo. And this is an extra special episode because there's some extra special people on this episode.
00:01:02
Speaker
And today, we're honoring the amazing work behind being done by LGBTQIA plus pride marching arts groups around the country. But first, joining me on the sidelines this week is, of course, my home girl, Whitney.
00:01:18
Speaker
Hi. How you doing, girlfriend? I'm good. Went paddle boarding. Yay, summer. Look at you being a nature gay. I love that.
00:01:32
Speaker
Now, before we get started, you need to make sure that you subscribe on your favorite podcast app, write us a review, share this with a friend or guard or band family member.
Roles and Leadership in Pride Bands
00:01:42
Speaker
If you want to be a guest, fill out the form and the link on our bio or email us at onawaterbreakpodcasts at gmail.com. So we are joined by three amazing people who have brought the marching arts to pride all over the country and What the world?
00:01:59
Speaker
Please welcome Cameron Elliott, who is the Associate Director of Charlotte Pride Bands and was recently part of the artistic leadership for the Lesbian and Gay Band Association's World Pride Marching Band. Hi, Cameron.
00:02:12
Speaker
Hi. How you doing? for I'm good. i want to clarify real quick. The associate director of Charlotte Pride Band has been several years has Pride.
00:02:24
Speaker
So that was in 2019. Oh, okay, so what's been some time? I'm current, but former.
00:02:32
Speaker
We've moved on, i've got more stories since then. But yeah, just wanted to clarify that. They've got two awesome people filling in now. Love it, love it. We also have on the sidelines one of my dearest dears and one of my favorite humans on this earth who shared a field with me way back in the day, Chad Greife, director of the St. Louis Pride Guard.
00:02:54
Speaker
How you doing, Pappy? Unmute yourself. I am wonderful.
00:03:04
Speaker
you kids on this technology. aid I know. Right. I am absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for having me. I'm so glad you're here. When they told me that you were going to be on this episode, I teared up just a little bit because, you know,
00:03:17
Speaker
Oh, you know, I love you so much. And so I'm glad to get to spend a couple minutes here chatting with you tonight. Yeah. Yeah. And we have one more very special, special lady in the house. We actually share a husband. Not really, but her husband is one of my emotional support straight men. Okay.
00:03:37
Speaker
Danny Young from Indie Pride Guard. Hello. hello everyone. just I am so grateful to be here. Thank you so much for having me. And I also wanted to provide some clarity. I am one of three administrators for Indie Pride Guard. Del Duke and Ty Zastrow also are key to making the whole thing happen. So I'm happily here to represent all of us. Yes, it takes a village, don't it?
00:04:04
Speaker
It does. Yes, it does. So time to get to know our guest, the On a Water Break way. It is time for the 32 count life story. So friends who are joining us today, here's how we do this. You get eight counts off the mat to tell us your life story from birth all the way up until today.
00:04:24
Speaker
You want this to be fast, fun, but there is no pressure. You all know what 32 counts on the mat sounds like. So we're going to start this off with Cameron. Cameron, you ready to do it?
00:04:34
Speaker
Do I to count and talk at the same time? You don't have to count. Not at all. All right. Here we go. Eight off the net. All right. So my sister was inked out first. I was inked out 30 seconds later. So I'm a twin.
00:04:47
Speaker
I grew up in North Carolina, just outside of Raleigh. I'm a recovering Southern Baptist. Bless my soul. And... Went off to do the music thing in college.
00:04:59
Speaker
ah Loved March Man all through high school. Loved March Man and Color Guard in college. And as a teacher, was a band director or whatnot in North Carolina and Utah. I got Charlotte Pride Band in 2019.
00:05:12
Speaker
World Pride Band in 2019. Yes!
00:05:17
Speaker
That was pretty good with the timing and the tempo. I'm here for Not bad. Not bad. And now I'm in Winchester, Virginia. Love it. Love it. All right, Chad, you know the drill. You're going to get eight counts off the Met, and we need to know everything about you. You ready?
00:05:33
Speaker
Let's do it. All right, let's go. So I was born and raised here in Washington, Missouri, about an hour west of St. Louis. I then moved to um Indianapolis, Indiana.
00:05:45
Speaker
had March Cavaliers from a Dubuque Corps, where then i did Independent A-Guard, and then I really wanted to do Open Guard, and went to World. And in World, I did Cytoco, and Pride of Cincinnati, and Onyx. I did all the Ohio's, and then traveled around the world for a long time in Australia, and then moved back home and now i ah judge guard and I run St. Louis to Pride Color Guard.
00:06:08
Speaker
Yes!
00:06:12
Speaker
That's how it works in Color Guard, right? If you get the choreography faster than anybody else and you win. Yeah, well, as long as you get the entire phrase out there, I mean, it's fine. It doesn't matter how long it actually takes you to get there, you know?
00:06:25
Speaker
Sometimes you eat that little hangover. We call a
Pride Performances: Impact and Challenges
00:06:27
Speaker
little lang-yap, you know, a little something for them, okay?
00:06:33
Speaker
Okay, Dani, so you've got the guys going before you. You got a chance to stretch and warm up just a little bit before we do your 32 counts. You ready to do this? Yeah, let's do it.
00:06:45
Speaker
All right, here we go. So I grew up in Carmel. I got to do Color Guard there. That's how I got introduced to Color Guard. um i got bitten by the Color Guard tick. I don't say bug, it's a tick. like It just like sticks in there.
00:06:57
Speaker
ah So I marched a bunch of Color Guard, taught a bunch of Color Guard. Now I mostly spend my time in the pageantry area. judging i judge for boa i judge for ihscga and then just sit in the little pockets of the country ah really enjoy still being involved in the activity in the way that i can be with the indie pride guard so that fills but big space for me and i love doing it yeah it's nerve-wracking oh my gosh the metronome is like anxiety inducing i can't
00:07:29
Speaker
and You know, it always takes me to flashbacks of when I was like marching drum corps and you would inevitably have those like dreams at night where the Dr. Beat was chasing you around the field. like Yeah. and That's why I'm sweating. Oh my God.
00:07:44
Speaker
It's that. You nailed it. It's exactly what it is. It's that. It brings back all of those crazy memories. you know Listen, before we go to commercial, I just want to hear from the panel about your most memorable Pride performance. And I will start with mine. um you know We just had the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting um a few days ago.
00:08:03
Speaker
And the actual last time that I was able to perform ah with a group in Pride was that long ago, because I'm always usually at um the Bands of America camp in the summer.
00:08:14
Speaker
And that Pride performance was so special to me because had so many friends that were in the club that night. I lost really good friend of mine. And as we were warming up and getting ready to go, they had um these giant posters with everybody's faces of all the victims um of that shooting that night.
00:08:31
Speaker
And it Pride at that moment took on, i think, the true meaning of what Pride was. It wasn't just a party. It was a way for us to say how strong and resilient we are as a community.
00:08:47
Speaker
And I remember just stepping down the street that night, just kicking my legs up just a little bit higher for those people. And so that has always stuck with me.
00:09:00
Speaker
That's one of my favorite pride performances. Whitney girl. What about you? who gosh. So Heather and I actually started the indie pride guard and Chad was in it for a long time.
00:09:14
Speaker
most memorable. don't know. I think maybe the first one. Cause we wrote like, we just didn't know, like we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. That was 2012. Yeah. And it was like, honestly, it was it was like just a lot of like younger people that had just marched Winter Garden, that were still literally marching and just had just aged out. So it was a really talented group. There was only like 20 It wasn't wasn't like a really big group at first, but I think that first time was probably the most memorable just because we were just like, what are we doing?
00:09:47
Speaker
that That was cool. And then it kicked off 12 more years of it. yeah.
00:09:52
Speaker
And that parade route in Indy is the narrowest in some spots. We're like, all right, get cute, y'all. We got to get close. Yeah. but You know what i love about that performance is because the rest of the country was still doing like drop spins and slams in the Pride Parade and a little booty shake in here and there.
00:10:11
Speaker
And then this Indy Pride color guard comes out and it's like all these Onyx people, all these Pride Cincinnati people, all these Juxa people And they're doing like full on phrases across the floors, sitting in And I was like, oh, so y'all just elevated the game for the rest of us. Thank you. Was this before the fire? didn't mean to. We just did.
00:10:32
Speaker
but Because we did, oh my God, Harry Styles band, One Direction. We did What Makes You Beautiful. that Yes. We had a tumbling pass, if you will. We did Chasse, Double Stag, Double Stag, Low Chine, High Chine, Calypso. And we did it. We had six exchange. We did back to back, throw a six, exchange, grab each other's.
00:10:54
Speaker
It was insane. It was insane. We're like, okay, sure, why It's insane. The jumps were so exhausting.
00:11:02
Speaker
the jumps were a bad idea, so we made sure to take note. The jumps, no jump combination. How long is the parade route? Like a mile? it's not that long, like in terms of actual mileage, but it moves really slowly. And like, everyone wants to see you do the thing, but you can't like, it's really hard to take more than a few steps and then not just run it again. Uh-huh.
00:11:29
Speaker
we love So it's incredibly exhausting. yeah he learned a lot the first year. You know what's funny? It's like here in Florida, like pride, it is like 9 million thousand degrees ah outside when we do the parade. And so it's all cute when you get started. That first, like, you know,
00:11:47
Speaker
30 minutes or so of the parade is nice. And then all of a sudden the sweat just doesn't stop and you get the bigger crowds of people and they're all screaming for you to do it. And they build you up and you want to do it for them. And it's like, oh my God.
00:11:58
Speaker
I remember getting to the end of the parade and literally collapsing in the grass and just having to lay there for an hour. Yes. could So I could not imagine been doing all those jumps and stuff y'all did in that routine.
00:12:10
Speaker
You guys, I have to tell you too, that I actually marched in the Indie Pride parade this year for the first time in like five years. And so I marched rifle and, you know, the night before we're, we're practicing the routine in a gym because it was raining.
00:12:26
Speaker
Right. So I got a false sense of confidence. I was like, I'm good. I still got it. like It's totally fine. And then the next day we're outside. It was so humid. So humid. I didn't feel like I had to warm up, so I did it.
00:12:41
Speaker
I can't believe I survived, y'all. I can't believe I did it. I was so ill prepared. I have so many things I will do better for next year. But that idea gap was meaningful.
00:12:56
Speaker
that that was' at get That was too long. Pride will get you, honey. She'll have you cute in the beginning of the parade. She did. And at the end of it, you will be questioning your life, honey. Yeah, those first two reps, you're like, oh, this is okay.
00:13:09
Speaker
Tenth rep later, you're like, I can't anymore. I'm taking a water break. ah Ugh. You're climbing into the truck. Right? And riding on the sound system.
00:13:23
Speaker
Just so you catch a breeze from the vibration on the speaker.
00:13:30
Speaker
That human. um just my brain A little gay delusion in there, knowing that you can get in there and be like, this is going to be fine, isn't it? i got this.
00:13:42
Speaker
Glitter will not get you through. Glitter. I need that on t-shirt. Glitter will not get you through, honey. Yeah. Trademark it, Whitney. Trademark it right now.
00:13:54
Speaker
It's already making, I'm making it on my cricket already. and it all.
00:14:01
Speaker
Chad, what's one of your favorite memories from Pride? Oh, it was the first year we did the St. Louis Pride. i had done the Indie Pride for several years, and so I was like, all right, let's we need to do one here in the STL, in the Loo.
00:14:15
Speaker
So I started getting that going, and of course, if yeah everybody who's directed any guard, which was a Pride guard, the first time that it's like, okay, here we go, we're walking down the street,
00:14:26
Speaker
And then to see the arch in the background, was like, oh, this is awesome. This is a lot of fun. So yeah, that was that was that was really good. and I definitely know the most exhausting was when Whitney, or Indie Pride, thought that we should exchange equipment, and we'll put all the a like rifles, we'll then move the flag, and we'll have all on the back of the truck, the flags. So in the middle of the song, the rifles would have to run to grab flags and then exchange.
00:14:53
Speaker
And then we probably did about five or six reps of those. And we were like, no no equipment exchange anymore. We're not changing equipment. That's done. Yeah, that was the most exhausting. Yeah, it was. Oh, my God. I forgot about that. Also a learning experience.
00:15:07
Speaker
We, when I was marching St. Petersburg Twirling Project, which was the first Pride Guard that I did when I moved here to Florida, we had helpers that marched along with us. And so we did a little switch out, but they actually came into the block. Like they brought us our equipment into the block. I don't know how handle having to run up to a truck, child. I would have ran up to that truck and laid down.
00:15:26
Speaker
And that was back when I was skinny and still running around doing this all the time. There is no way I'd do it now. Karen, what's one of your favorite Pride... think my favorite Pride memory was my first Pride, which happened to be in 2015 when I was a VigTech for Carolina Gold All-Age Corps.
00:15:47
Speaker
And they had us marching in the Pride Parade that year. And it was just the first time gained experience what a parade was like. um I felt like i was such a latecomer to it. I should have been there so many years before. But this was at Charlotte Pride in 2015, or think it was maybe 2015.
00:16:02
Speaker
hi Honestly, just seeing the support for the group and how much like everyone enjoys a band and a parade, no matter what parade it is, um and seeing something that like I loved so much contribute a part of me that you know I hadn't expected to see it ever contribute to one day when I was a kid.
00:16:19
Speaker
So yeah, that was my most memorable one. Yeah, you said something that everybody loves a band and a color guard, and it's true. Everybody else gets mad at me because I love parades. I think parades are the best exposure that any band program can do.
00:16:34
Speaker
It's just people are happy at parades. Like little kids are looking up to you. i love seeing the little kids like trying to march in step with the band and all that stuff. But Child Pride just hits different. Like, honey, the girls will make sure that they are giving you all of your flowers when you coming down that street, living your best life. It's just, it is a game changer.
00:16:56
Speaker
It's a game changer. Danny, what is your favorite Pride memory? Yeah, I mean, you just teed it up perfectly for me because what my first Pride experience was so impactful because it was, I believe in 2013 was the first year that I marched in the parade. And it was because my friend Jacob Colimbo told me that it was just like this fun little twirl club thing.
00:17:21
Speaker
Like you do like a couple of rehearsals and then we do a parade and it's super fun. We can spin safer.
Commercial Break: Guard Closet
00:17:27
Speaker
And I was like, oh, that sounds like a cute time. And so like, you know, I went to the rehearsals and learned the parts. I had no expectations.
00:17:35
Speaker
And like being a kid that grew up in Indiana color guard scene, like you're just so used to having to be like so close to perfect to get a reaction out of people.
00:17:46
Speaker
You know what I mean? Like there's just this like highbrow nature to color guard. And so like being that Indiana kid and then getting to be in this parade situation where people are just losing their minds.
00:18:00
Speaker
I mean, grant back then we're throwing like sevens and stuff and doing crazy nonsense. Of course they should be losing their minds, but like it was just the coolest experience for color guard period I ever had. And it's the coolest one I ever have.
00:18:14
Speaker
Like hands down, there's just no other color guard experience that I enjoy so much. And like, everyone just loves it. There's no judgment. Just show up and have fun. Like do your best sis. Like have a good time. It's not about being perfect, you know?
00:18:29
Speaker
No. And they're really cool about that. you You tapped along one of the things that I think is also cool about Pride because like Pride Guards are made up of people that are competing with each other from January until April. you know They're having to work on being perfect, and they're trying to be the best and fight all of that stuff and fight each other. Not that we actually fight in Color Guard, but you know what i'm saying?
00:18:52
Speaker
And then we get to these Pride Parades, and you have all of these members in these rival Color Guard groups, and they're just having a blast. it It's family. It's like it's what it's supposed to be.
00:19:03
Speaker
But we will return in just a moment after this commercial break with some more On a Water Break, The Pride episode.
00:19:21
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 drum line?
00:19:37
Speaker
We have thousands of sets of consignments in stock and ready to ship. 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?
00:19:51
Speaker
We take in more than 600 sets of consignments each year and return hundreds of thousands of dollars to our consignors for their sales. Do you need to have your students order shoes, gloves, and other equipment?
00:20:03
Speaker
We can set up a microsite for easy student ordering of a wide variety of items. Do you need custom costumes or flags? We can help get you great designs from our team through top vendors like Shodei Designs.
00:20:15
Speaker
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.
00:20:27
Speaker
Check us out at GuardCloset.com or follow us on social media.
00:20:44
Speaker
Okay, friends, let's get into it. Pride guards and bands have become a staple in pride parades, performances, and communities all over the world.
Growth and Community of Pride Bands
00:20:54
Speaker
With World Pride just happening in D.C. and band and guards coming together to take a stand, what we do is more important than ever.
00:21:02
Speaker
So let's talk to our panel about their groups and the challenges and rewards they have. So, you know, Whitney, here is the thing. I love... this conversation today because we have two other people with you that are all connected to you and then they're also connected to me in another way but they're connected to you because of this pride guard thing like how did the whole indie pride guard get started and danny and chad jump in and like talk about like what that was like getting that going
00:21:35
Speaker
um So we started in 2012. um It was Philip Whiteloff and Heather and I, we decided to make a pride guard. I don't remember why, like what the reason was. I think we were just like, let's do it.
00:21:50
Speaker
So we grew one together and made it happen. We got tank tops and did a ditty that was um maybe a little extreme, ah but so much fun. um And we just wanted to like be a space where, um, LGBTQ people and allies could come and do color guard together. And a lot of us had marched together or taught each other or you know, like it was cool to invite our, um, like recent graduate students to, to come and do it. Um,
00:22:25
Speaker
you know, whether they are they're in the LGBTQ community or not, um a lot of them are allies. So it was um just a ah really good time, honestly. And then we just didn't stop.
00:22:38
Speaker
um And it just got bigger, I think, by year three. we had about 60 people. um And then it was usually in like between the 40 to 60 range.
00:22:48
Speaker
And AJ Smith and Wren, what is Wren's last name now? Married name? but It's Labed originally, ah but I don't know his married name now. Anyways, they are two members that have been in it every single year.
00:23:06
Speaker
They're the only two and they've done it every year for a while. Yeah. Yeah. Give it up for longevity. Since 2012, those two have been every year. Chad was another, like for the for a while, it was me, Heather, Chad, Ren, and AJ were in it every year. And then Chad um started doing St. Louis Pride. And then Heather and I moved to Texas. So that was harder to...
00:23:30
Speaker
be involved. And then we were just kind of running it from Texas, but didn't get to come all the time. And then, um, like last Danny, was it last year that we passed it on to you guys or two years ago, two years ago, this was our third year. Yeah.
00:23:44
Speaker
So we passed it on to Danny and Dell. Dell Duke had been doing it with us for a long time. And he he was always great about like um getting the the rental um speakers and stuff.
00:23:56
Speaker
So that was like always kind of his thing. And then um just like the the rest of us just organized and choreography, um put the Facebook group together, got a rehearsal scheduled and T-shirts, all that stuff like there. I mean, there were a lot of people involved. And then I think by like maybe a year three or four, we had like a board of directors kind of thing. like Yeah.
00:24:20
Speaker
We had like a separate, a separate smaller group of people that were more interested in organizing because it just got to be too big for just Heather and I to do. And then Philip moved and he wasn't really involved anymore. So um it's been, i mean, it's been a a long time and,
00:24:36
Speaker
you know Obviously, COVID was like the only time we didn't do it. but even twenty I think in 2020 was when we we still made a video. um We just recorded parts in our and our backyards and stuff and like put a video together. but um yeah i mean I'm i'm proud that it's still a thing and that Danny and Ty and, and, um, Dell are still doing it.
00:24:59
Speaker
Um, but yeah, I mean, again, it was just a ah good place to, to support each other and be involved. And I think it's still the only color guard in the indie pride parade.
00:25:10
Speaker
Um, so that used to be true until last year. Yeah. Um, but we, we are hoping to have a conversation with that, with the other group and see if there's a way we can, we can combine and combine efforts. But, um, it's still, I mean, Whitney, it still works the same way as, you know, how, how it was set up, right? Like,
00:25:31
Speaker
there's still very separate kind of roles. And it's like Ty is choreography, you know, teaching the parts on video, coaching the night before. He's very education and choreography forward.
00:25:44
Speaker
And then Dell is still sound system. i'm logistics and insurance. And, and, you know, what happens if it rains? We found a gym so we could rehearse inside. Like, That's kind of my little compartment.
00:25:55
Speaker
um But without any of the three of us, we just couldn't do it. We are like almost at the place where it's like we might need another person to like help, you know, keep the cats hurted. Growth is good. Yeah.
00:26:07
Speaker
Oh yeah. It's incredible. It's, and they're getting younger, which is awesome. um The average age of the guard this year was really, yeah that's encouraging. I mean, it has to feel good thinking about like you know how this idea that probably started in your living room has turned into something that is now like becoming a fully-fledged organization that's thriving. And as Danny said, it's growing to the point that there needs to be more people working the admin side of it. like that and And for what it is. You know what I'm saying? It's it's for the community, by the community. like That's got to be a great feeling.
00:26:43
Speaker
No, it it is awesome. and We're definitely proud of it. I think it's it's really cool too because we we got to the point where um businesses were sponsoring us. and like um I know Eric Sabock, maybe 2018 or 2019, made us flags. so We got a brand new set of flags. we had I think it was...
00:27:05
Speaker
Dance Sophisticates or somebody sponsored a ban some banners for us. So we've had like different things be sponsored. So, you know, like, and I think um maybe Franklin Community High School donated some some flagpoles to us, you know, because it's like,
00:27:20
Speaker
you got to have, you have to have like a supply of those things. Cause like um a lot of people ah own their own weapons, but not a lot of people own their own flags. So we had to like have those things that we had to keep in someone's garage. And for a long time, that was Rachel Harcourt. She was like the keeper of the things and we would keep all the supplies in her garage. But like, those are things that you have to think about. It's like, okay, well we, we need,
00:27:46
Speaker
um We need flags. We need, what are we going to wear? We need um speakers. that Like there's, there's a lot of things that go into logistically and you got to pay some, you got to pay to be in the parade.
00:27:57
Speaker
And some trades are more expensive than others. um Patty, Patty Simmons, um, may her May she rest in peace. Love her so much. She sponsored us to be in the parade multiple years. I know there was like one year it was like $500 to be in the parade. So you have to charge everybody a fee to be in it most of the time. Like there's there's so much that goes into it. But yeah, um we are we are really proud that it's still going and it's still thing.
00:28:25
Speaker
And I um got those, still have the exact same silks from the very first year. um Because I would borrow them, because St. Louis was always the last weekend in June.
00:28:35
Speaker
So I would borrow the Indy flags and then take them with me. We would use them. And then I would bring them back to, because i would come to Indy three or four times a year. And they'd be like, all right, here's the flags return. And then you guys got new flags. I'm like, I'll just keep these.
00:28:48
Speaker
um So good for y'all for like... it's I feel like so unorganized when I hear these other people. I'm like, i mean, we still get it all done. We still get the speakers and the things, but I'm just like, I'm like, I do it all now. um and And I just feel like I'm like, eh, we'll figure it out. We'll get down the road. um So, but I'm just like, oh God, should I have like a board? Like good for y'all. I love that so much.
00:29:15
Speaker
So Chad, how long have you been doing the St. Louis Pride Guard? um I think if I remember correctly, it was 2015 was the first year that we did that one.
00:29:26
Speaker
um And it was the same situation. i mean, I literally took it from the Whitney playbook of we're going to release the videos online, um learn them on your own. We're to have one rehearsal. um The only thing that I still hate is that St. Louis parade is on a Sunday morning, ah which is not fun. um we But we just do a rehearsal Friday night. um So I took everything from that playbook and have not teetered too much from it. I tried some different things like, let's do choreography. Let's do like diamond patterns. they were like, no, that doesn't work. Don't do that. um
00:29:59
Speaker
But everybody still really loves the whole like, oh yeah, saber, rifle, flag, dancer. And then, cause then they're like, okay, I get to, I get to do what I love, um which is I want saber, I want to dance or I wanted to do rifle or whatever. um And and everybody everybody gets that opportunity. um So it's been so much fun. have absolutely loved every single bit of it We always go to Hooters right before we step off and um have some cocktails. And I think that's the biggest thing that I love about doing Pride is it takes me back to what made me fall in love with Guard, which was just...
00:30:32
Speaker
messing around in my friend's backyard um before we even had flags with like bed sheets and broomsticks and just spinning and just geeking and you know of course the older we got let's have some cocktails while we spin um and it gave it returned it back to that the competitive guard is great i love it but sometimes the competition takes you out of the artistry of it and the joy of it because you're so focused on that number and popping that good number oh my God, I didn't make finals. So that means I'm just a bad person.
00:31:03
Speaker
um And it's like, no just go create art and have fun and do wonderful things. And that's the best part about Pride and having a good time with your friends. As we say in the administration world of education, remember your why.
00:31:19
Speaker
Pride makes you remember your why. Right. and My why is to be cute and do cute things. Yes. So Cameron, talk to me about what it's like on the band side of this whole thing. Because, we you know, all of us color guard people, we know, you know, it's a little bit easier, I say somewhat to just kind of, you know, get your friends together and throw some flags and some rifles out.
00:31:43
Speaker
and do a little eight count. But, Van, I feel like that would be a little bit more, a little bit different commitment.
Logistics and Musical Challenges in Pride Events
00:31:50
Speaker
You know, yeah, to ah two degree. It depends on on your what your situation is, your setup.
00:31:56
Speaker
Yeah. I think, you know similar to what Chad was saying, it it draws people in. It's a bit easier to get people together for a pride band than you think, a marching band, just because they enjoy the not having to be competitive about it. They can enjoy just getting together to to march and great music and like sharing in the fun and the festivities.
00:32:15
Speaker
ah But of course, you know, in Color Guard, you have people that often spin multiple things. you know Anyone can jump on rifle or flag or saber and rifle or dance or whatever. And you can kind of switch people around depending on who you have in front of you.
00:32:30
Speaker
In a band, we don't always have ah people that play multiple instruments. And so i think the hardest part is just getting a balanced instrumentation together for what you need. um And then making sure that like the music is ah kind of appropriate for like everyone that's there.
00:32:48
Speaker
You know, in in the guard world, you can kind of choreograph to the group that's in front of you um for better or worse. And in the band world, it's like when you're, purchasing music or trying to program, but unless you have someone that's composing or arranging for you, it's like buying you know pre something pre-choreographed, right?
00:33:07
Speaker
Okay, and I'm to say this because i you know like I don't know that a Stan's Tune version of a Gaga song hits the same way.
00:33:16
Speaker
It depends on what you get. like Some arrangements are better than others. um I know when I was i like directed World Pride, I actually had a a custom arrangement made for us of Bloom by Troi Sivan, which had just come out that year. and It's like the gayest song any of us had ever heard because it's about bottoming. like You know...
00:33:39
Speaker
yeah
00:33:43
Speaker
So like this perfect for World Pride. This is what all these gays want. Especially, I mean, that that experience was just crazy. We had people flying in from all over the country. And I think I came into it with my my own expectations too high. I was a bit of an asshole as a director. And I'm like, if I could go back and like fix this, I would take this way less seriously and have more fun. But I was young and I didn't know any better.
00:34:05
Speaker
um But bringing people together from all over the country at the time, I think, was was one of my favorite aspects of it. Just getting to meet people that were also involved in other Pride bands ah that wanted to come and and march in the parade.
00:34:17
Speaker
um I may add this in one of my favorite Pride ah you know memories from the earlier segment of when we were in lineup for World Pride, the Fab Five walked right past us, like maybe three feet in front of me.
00:34:31
Speaker
And like, by the time I realized it, they already walked past. I got their attention enough to like wave, but I was like, it's real. um It was a lot of fun. So.
00:34:46
Speaker
um I'm going to pull focus for just a minute on the celebrity end of that. I got to the Hollywood Pride Parade years and years and years ago. um And my hero, Andy from Bravo, was like in front of us.
00:35:01
Speaker
And I swear to God, he is such a zaddy. He is such a zaddy. I performed so hard because that man kept looking back at me. Lord, today. God. So speaking of World Pride, how many members did you guys have this year, Cameron?
00:35:17
Speaker
and I'm not sure how many they had this year or if they had an LGBT group in there. i But i one thing that was cool that I did see in World Pride for around this time was the Warped Tour just came through D.C. about the same time as Pride.
00:35:31
Speaker
And they called in, what was it, ah ah one of the group one of the bands on stage called in the DC's different drummers, like get up on stage with them during the War Corps performance, which is DC's Pride Band.
00:35:44
Speaker
um And so they had a whole, like, they had a color guard up there, they had the marching band up there, like on stage. Gosh, who is this group? I feel like I just looked this up and I'm already forgetting. So like five seconds from now, I'm remember.
00:35:56
Speaker
I apologize for the intrusion when that happens. Yeah, we definitely need that for a news segment. So friends, tell me what are some of the biggest rewards about Pride Groups?
00:36:10
Speaker
Obviously the camaraderie, the friendships. I told this story last year when we were doing our Pride episode of when I moved to Florida, I literally moved here and did not know anyone.
00:36:21
Speaker
And the only person that I had some type of relationship with was Chuck Henson, who used to be the voice of VOA. And he was in a group here called the St. Petersburg Twirling Project.
00:36:35
Speaker
And I reached out to him and he's like, oh yeah, come spend with us. And I started getting together every Sunday with this group of older gay men spinning my rifle in a park in St. Petersburg. And that's how I made friends.
00:36:46
Speaker
And i live in St. Pete now because of them. And, you know, i it it gave me a safe space because I was able to do the thing that I love doing with people who understood that whole thing and they love doing it too. And it was, I, I feel like that was my biggest reward. What did you guys think that some of the rewards are for your particular groups?
00:37:08
Speaker
um I personally just love kind of taking the piss on um um just basic color guard culture. um i feel like ah sometimes drag queens do that, you know, where you're like, we don't live in, we're kind of making fun of reality. And um and I just like, you know, we if we just make jokes like, you know, if you drop or whatever, it's be like, oh like that was not box five girl, um you know, and just kind of giving each other hard time for that. agree. I so agree.
00:37:40
Speaker
That's why I fell in love with it. Yeah. Just have fun. Who who cares? Just have There's no equipment judge out there. Even if you do drop, they're still going to love you. Or if you catch a half, they don't care. They're drunk in a parade. They're going to just have a great time just for four. If you throw a triple instead of a quad, no one cares.
00:37:58
Speaker
No one's not your rotations. No, they're not, honey. No one's releasing together anyway. It does not matter. Right.
00:38:07
Speaker
just saying they like they like when you throw it in the air and they like when you shake your butt yes yes yes absolutely absolutely um one of my favorite things i also loved was uh like we would all bring our equipment to the actual pride festivities and lay out the blankets and then we jackass challenge each other like all right uh seven cats behind your back and And just like, put we should not be doing some of these stunts after how much we had to drink. um But we're like, sure, I've got no beer. I'll do this.
00:38:37
Speaker
And so you start doing this stuff. But it's like, oh, no, these are people who have trained by the top people in the world and have competed at high velocity that, yeah, they can we can totally do this. And it doesn't matter whether you're 22 or 46. Go out there and you can still you can still pop that stuff out there. You've still got it.
00:38:57
Speaker
People just come up to us the um at the festival and be like, oh, you guys were in the parade. You were so awesome. like that That part of is cool, too, that you still get like random people, not color guard people, like actual random people that are like, oh, we saw you. Yay.
00:39:13
Speaker
And it is a bit of a celebrity factor thing that happens because everybody remembers the color guard people. Like, you know, there are other people that are just in the parade. And it's like, whatever. and the but And the band, you know what i'm saying? But like, they recognize you because you're wearing the shirt. They're like, oh my God, I saw that. That was great, you know? And the majority of it's like, how many people go up to the Bank of America float and be like, you guys were amazing. We've really loved you. You were great. It's like, you were there. i for You know, nice.
00:39:44
Speaker
it's nice to to just be able to perform for like, for the gays, you know, in the at least in the band world, it's, don't know if, if this carries over in the pride guards, but in the pride bands, but most of them are year round organizations. I mean, let's be for real. We're color guards are performing. We're using performer for the gays anyway. So I mean, fair.
00:40:05
Speaker
But the you know the band is performing year-round, and so we get a mixed crowd at our like concert band performances. So getting to do the marching experience, which brings us back to our roots and do it in front of the people that like really get why we exist, um I think makes it that much better and that much more rewarding.
00:40:23
Speaker
Yeah. Agreed. Well, we will finish this conversation when we come back in just a few minutes to On a Water Break.
00:40:44
Speaker
Ready to elevate your travel game? Welcome to Peak Group Travel, the ultimate adventure creators. Whether you're planning an unforgettable class trip, a once in a lifetime parade experience for your marching band, or a choir tour full of memorable performance venues, Peak Group Travel handles it all so you can focus on making memories.
Commercial Break: Peak Group Travel
00:41:02
Speaker
From breathtaking international destinations to amazing adventures right here at home, Peak Group Travel customizes every journey to your vision. We're not just planners, we're your partners for the trip you want for your students.
00:41:15
Speaker
Our online registration portal makes managing your pre-trip experience smooth and convenient. We even collect your payments if you'd like. Picture it. Effortless planning, unmatched experiences, and smiles that last long after the journey ends.
00:41:28
Speaker
That's the Peak Group Travel difference. And if you choose to partner with Peak on your next tour, and you mentioned that you heard about us on the On a Water Break podcast, you'll earn a $100 trip credit. Discover why groups everywhere trust Peak Group Travel.
00:41:41
Speaker
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And be sure to visit peakgrouptravel.com today. You pick the date and we'll make it great.
00:42:00
Speaker
Okay, everyone. It's time for 60 Second Tech Block. 60 Second Tech Block. 60 Second Tech Block.
00:42:15
Speaker
This is the segment where one of our hosts or guest clinicians is put on the spot to deliver a nonstop 60 second text session on a topic that needs some serious attention after the last run.
00:42:27
Speaker
Our special tech this week has come prepared with three topics that they think they can talk about for a full 60 second straight. No hesitation, no pauses, just pure technical gold.
00:42:40
Speaker
And this week, let's You know what, Cameron? I think that I want to hear from you. all right. So, Cameron, you said that your best topics were how you perform when the hottie is walking by, maintaining proper technique while doing pride, and serving face for several
Masterclass and Superstitions in Marching Arts
00:43:04
Speaker
miles.
00:43:04
Speaker
Okay, panel, what are you guys voting on? I'm definitely going to go for the, when the hottie is walking by because you want to be cute. I think that'll be the most entertaining.
00:43:16
Speaker
ah I definitely agree with that. Danny, you good with that? I mean, I'm here for any of these topics, but I was here to get the sermon on face because there's technically just always hot people walking around. So like, you just got to blur out the hotties, you know what I mean?
00:43:34
Speaker
Do your thing. Okay. well No, I still want to hear about the hottie walking by for the entertainment value. I agree with you. I think we're going to go with that. We're going to how you perform when the hottie is walking by. Dani, do you have your phone geared up to 60 seconds for us?
00:43:54
Speaker
I do. Okay, Cameron, this is all you, my friend. You are going to give us a masterclass in technique on how we are going to perform when the hottie is walking by.
00:44:06
Speaker
Are you ready to do this? I'm ready. All right, here we go. Dani, it's on you. All right, ready in three, one, So when the hottie is walking by, the first thing you need to do is make that hottie stop walking.
00:44:23
Speaker
If they keep walking, they're not going to see you. They're going to miss you and the opportunities mass or is passed. You're going to end up on like Craigslist miss opportunities after that. Okay. So you have to start with something that's like flamboyant and like the full phrase, the full extension.
00:44:40
Speaker
I'm a fan of, you know, legally blind. So I think of like bend and snap. You don't want, you know, a half-assed bend and snap. You want like a full like extension and then come up, you know? Oh, yes. yeah You got 20 seconds left.
00:44:54
Speaker
Experience. Okay. So something big and grand is going to catch your attention and then you got to make it a little seductive. So are you know, are you gyrating in the right places? Are the hips loose? Are the shoulders moving? Are you licking your lips a little bit? Like what are you doing to get them to say, Ooh, I want a piece of that happy meal right in front of me. Right.
00:45:14
Speaker
ah do um That's a minute. Wow. wow I feel very informed about this now. Absolutely incredible. I'm so informed.
00:45:26
Speaker
All of my flabbers are gasted right now. Because that was... That needs to be talked to all guards ever, forever and ever. Now accepting like clinician booking with all the front guards around the country.
00:45:41
Speaker
Absolutely. And you know what's funny? I do use that analogy a lot when I'm teaching the kids, like especially when we're doing Across the Forest to get them to perform. I'm like, imagine that person that you think is just the hottest person in the world. They're on the other side of the room.
00:45:55
Speaker
How are you going to walk over to them? And that honestly brings kids out of their shell. And I think that you know my experience of doing Pride Parades, when I saw, before I was married, okay,
00:46:07
Speaker
but When I saw the hottie walking down the street, I would do those things, Cameron. And I just, I'm so glad that you explained it technically to us. so Well, the best part was now that you have their attention, give them something to look at Right, right. We could flip it around and say, what if you're the hottie walking down the street in the Pride Guard?
00:46:28
Speaker
How do the other people get you to stop and stare? Okay, exactly.
00:46:35
Speaker
Well, that was a solid 60-second tech block. Hopefully, someone out there just got the tech advice that they didn't know they needed. I know I did, child. But now it's time to switch things up. don't think anyone needed that.
00:46:48
Speaker
We all needed it. But it's time for everyone's favorite, What Are We Doing? What are we doing? are we doing?
00:47:04
Speaker
What are we doing? Okay, this is the part of the show where we let loose a little bit or maybe a lot. This is your chance to rant about something in the marching arts that just does not make sense.
00:47:17
Speaker
Maybe it's a tradition that needs to go. Maybe it's a habit that performers can't seem to break. Maybe it's something that makes you think, why are we even doing this? Or why haven't we started doing this yet?
00:47:30
Speaker
Whatever it is, this is your moment to call it out. So who's got something they need to get off their chest? Sister Whitney, I know you got some what are we doing, honey.
00:47:40
Speaker
Can you come back to me? actually don't have anything negative to say for once. i Oh. Write this down. girl Listeners, listeners, write this down on this date.
00:47:55
Speaker
Whitney Stone says that she has nothing negative to say, okay? Put it in the minutes. Put it in the gay agenda. All right. I got something for water. Water we doing. Okay, come on, brother. Superstition.
00:48:08
Speaker
Superstition. my God. I didn't and i didn't sp throw this very last toss before I went on the floor. I always hug Brittany before I go out, and I didn't hug Brittany before. So if I don't, I'm going to have a bad show. That's what that means. Girl, that has nothing to do with it. Get that out your hand right now.
00:48:26
Speaker
Stop being so damn superstitious. Just trust your technique, trust the training, and go out there have good time. Knock it off. Just calm down. so I want that to go. want that to go.
00:48:38
Speaker
um But what I wish they would do, I want lights. I want them to shut off the lights in UD Arena. I want LEDs. I want a light show. I want like, oh, I need to pull focus to that back corner.
00:48:49
Speaker
Girl, there's a spotlight. Oh, okay. And then want to change we've got sound. We've got all that. I want lights. And then I want to see those lights reflecting off some nice lumet. Yes, I want the full theatrical expression. Absolutely. I know it'd probably be difficult to program all those lights, but we could work this out. Just you know press play in a computer format with a light board and it'll be fine.
00:49:11
Speaker
We could have rotations under a spotlight. that' Ask the the blast people about that. It'll be fine. Okay, I have spun on stage before with stage lights in my face, and I'm just going to say that whereas it seems like it's a good idea, it is probably the scariest thing in the world because you really do have to trust your technique, child, because the minute you open up your hands, honey, it is a prayer and a Hail Mary.
00:49:39
Speaker
You know? And you know what? Here we go. So speaking of the superstitions, listen, there's one superstition because I am Southern, y'all. I know that y'all don't believe this, but The walking through the same door. do that anyway in my normal life. I don't split poles. And so I do want to keep that superstition just because I know that my grandmother would roll over in her grave if we were splitting poles places. so All right. You're allowed to have that one.
00:50:06
Speaker
There you That's the only one I want to keep. That's my least favorite. Sorry. and love you. I literally physically cannot.
00:50:18
Speaker
Yeah. I literally, I physically cannot split the pole when I'm watching walking with Jeff and we walk all the time. Yeah. I literally physically can't do it. It's so it's, but I'm not like, I'm not going to like hold up my show.
00:50:32
Speaker
I'm just going to not split the pole on my way to where I'm going. You know what mean? Like it's a different kind of superstition in my opinion. Oh, I have physically grabbed Matthew and pulled him around a pole when we were just walking like out downtown somewhere. I can't do it. I just, mm-mm, mm-mm.
00:50:49
Speaker
No, I can't do it. Well, I would always do the, I carried over Rosie's tradition of the Altoids before ah performance and hand those out, your performance pills. And then the one time I forgot to get Altoids before a show, the guard was like beside themselves. They're like, that's it.
00:51:04
Speaker
We might as well just fold. You know, let's just go home. Let's just don't even perform. I'm like, girl. All right. Let's calm down a little bit. if We did it with Tic Tacs and the kids, if I forgot the Tic Tacs in car or whatever, they were just like, we had a bad show because of you. I'm like, no, girl, you had a bad show because your hands were bad.
00:51:22
Speaker
That's why. Do not put that on me.
00:51:28
Speaker
Cameron, what are we doing? So if we're still gonna have like gendered cores and groups out in the world, Chad, no offense, I know the Cavaliers runs deep, but like, why haven't we had like the all female core since like the 70s or 80s?
00:51:46
Speaker
Where's our like, oh, non-binary core? Where is our all transgender core? Like if we're going to keep the cavaliers around, be like, all right, two can play that game. Like, I want to see that.
00:51:57
Speaker
um want to see
Diversity and Innovation in Drum Corps
00:51:58
Speaker
that. Like, so the, my trans friends that I know are like some of the most like creative, like go-getters that I know. And to see a core of like performers full of that energy and like that creativity, like, come on, the male thing is tired.
00:52:18
Speaker
fired, honey. but You know, i have to agree. i remember back in the day when we did have some all-girl courts and they were sickening.
00:52:30
Speaker
Like, they were sickening. And I also remember the Phantom Regiment when the Phantomettes were all-girls. I love that, too. That was kind of my jam. So, i you know what? I'm going to get on board with this one. Yeah, let's do that. I do want to point something out in this conversation, though, that I think is important, just as what I'm thinking about the dynamics of this.
00:52:47
Speaker
A lot of all-male drum corps have been propped up because of generations of alumni support. And if you think even back in the day, 30, 40, 50 years, it would have been a lot more difficult for women to generate that kind of ongoing generational wealth support.
00:53:05
Speaker
just because of how socioeconomics work and economics. yeah I don't think it's because anyone doesn't want that. yeah what Yeah, right, right, right.
00:53:17
Speaker
But I will say, yeah the most entertaining thing is getting on the alumni Facebook groups, because where's my popcorn? I've seen the Madison Scouts just finally becoming co-ed, and we're in what, year you're three or four of that now?
00:53:36
Speaker
I think it's year four, right? Four or five. Since COVID. So, yeah. The majority of the guards I marched were co-ed, and I loved, loved marching co-ed. There's something about the energy, you know, with your best Judy, that just, it was fun.
00:53:51
Speaker
I loved it. See, I've had experience on both ends of it. I mean, the first year I marched drum corps, I was the only boy in the color guard, and then the next year I was in, ah was the only girl in an all-boy color guard.
00:54:03
Speaker
Exactly.
00:54:07
Speaker
You know, I have seen both sides of it. And my personal feelings behind it was I had fun in both of those experiences, but it was great for me not seeing males represented in the color guard activity, like in my home state of Mississippi to go in organization with 30 something other guys doing color guard.
00:54:27
Speaker
Like that was just a cool dynamic to me. But yeah. I am not opposed to everybody having their own flavor and having their own space to be able to do the same thing because it is worthwhile and it is 2025, y'all. Let's get it together.
00:54:40
Speaker
We can do this. We can make things. Well, and piggybacking that with that, especially with Pride and connecting that to Pride, that was what made me come out. Like, after going to Cavalier Auditions, I was still in the closet. The second I got back from Cavalier Auditions, I'm like, no, no, no.
00:54:56
Speaker
These are my people. This is my tribe. This is where I belong. And it really made me feel like, oh, I'm not alone in this small town in Missouri, that there are other people all throughout the country that are going through the same struggles that I'm going through. um so I think that's the whole point of pride.
00:55:13
Speaker
um And that's where I kind of like where pride is even going now. where yeah of course it started off as gay pride for gays lesbians bisexuals transgender but feel like more even heterosexuals are enjoying going to pride just about being proud of who you are whatever that might be love who you want to love be who you want to be with and then just that's why it's just pride uh and of course there's the history great danny what are we doing You know, i parsed through a few ideas in my head about this today.
00:55:46
Speaker
um and I decided on the one that i wanted to talk about, which for me is I've spent a lot of time in front of lots of what I would call developmental color guards in the last few winters as a judge. And so I have just seen much incredible work that people are doing you know on a sheet that none of us maybe have ever even seen before. like There's just an unimaginable amount of colored yards in Indiana that are just scrapping to try and get through a season.
00:56:19
Speaker
And thing that I don't understand is why we don't see more design innovation in those lower groups like i don't understand why i just don't understand how many times we're gonna watch like not i'm not calling anybody out specifically right but like ah a motif on a parade a motif on a rainbow maybe there's a motif on clowns and there's always a crazy person show there's normally two of those there's a germ show a disease show like you know what i mean like
00:56:53
Speaker
ah can't. What are we doing? Because those kids still deserve to have an experience that makes them feel cool. You know, like, do you think these 17 year old kids, even though they're in like quadruple AAAF, like, you know, they still deserve to have an experience that makes them feel like their work is interesting, you know? So I don't know. I wish challenged our friends in this space.
00:57:17
Speaker
Like, you know, it's okay to get creative down there. You don't have to do. i also understand those programs are probably fewer programs that are operating with leftovers from other things. So I get that. I get that part. Yeah.
00:57:28
Speaker
But I still think you can be innovative on a budget. Amen. Amen. All I got. So I am just going to say this, okay? As someone who lives in Florida, where 11 and a half out of 12 months of the year, it is hotter than the devil's ass crack.
00:57:47
Speaker
What are we doing still having Pride parades in the month of June? Can we push it to like, and just do our own thing in like January when it's like a comfortable 50 degrees outside and I don't have to. We can rotate Pride month.
00:58:04
Speaker
You know what I mean? We should. We should. We should do Pride Month in the North. It doesn't have to be in June. Okay. Right. So we should do it in the North in June when it's like cute to be outside in the summertime. But then here in the South, yeah we need to do it in the winter when it's comfortable to be outside. i just I'm going to put up a petition for that. Okay.
00:58:25
Speaker
Yeah. So all we have to do to get that done is just we'll go to New York to the Stonewall Inn in like a nice crisp November day. And then we'll throw stones and we'll start riot again. And we'll just but start a new tradition.
00:58:38
Speaker
I have it. I have it. Here I come. It's Jeremy. I'm jumping. You want this cute little pride around the country. I'm here for it. If you all can get engaged to come to a cute little Philadelphia for our fest in the fall, cute little fall festival, right?
Debate on Timing of Pride Events
00:58:54
Speaker
Like in the fall, have that come out in 2026, come to Philadelphia in June and have a cute little time because it's going to be 2026 and it's going to be the 250th birthday and all those kinds of things.
00:59:08
Speaker
I agree. Understand is hot in those other parts of the world. However, it's June, darling, and it's Pride Month. So I don't know what to tell you. Get over it. Get into Pride Month. It's June.
00:59:22
Speaker
And on that- Papaw came. Papaw came and stole your joy. I'm going to jump on the Carter stack for a moment. June can still be Pride Month, but this way you extend Pride Month throughout the year.
00:59:36
Speaker
Right. Any month, Pride Month, right? They will love that. They will love that. Let's do it. Yep. It's nice to wear your really short, short booty shorts and a crop top in June.
00:59:52
Speaker
Girl, we can do that in Florida in January. Great job, everyone. stick your equipment down. I can only imagine. it just move to miami i can only imagine All right, we got that off our chest. So now let's bring some positive energy into the room. Welcome to Gush and Go.
01:00:09
Speaker
This is your chance to shout out something awesome that's happening in your life, marching arts related or not. Maybe you're excited about a performance, a student success, a big life event, or just something cool you want to brag about.
01:00:22
Speaker
No negativity here, Whitney. Just pure, unfiltered hype. So Who's got something to gush about? Dani, I'm going to start with you. How did you know that I had something to gush about?
01:00:35
Speaker
Hey, call it intuition. Intuition. Yeah. So actually
Future Plans and Excitement in Marching Arts
01:00:40
Speaker
have two things. So the first is that a good friend of mine named Sarah Field and are directing the color guard for the MFA Honor Band, the Bands of America Honor Band in the Rose Bowl parade ah for the coming new year. So we're, yes, we're very excited about it.
01:00:57
Speaker
Jeff and I were on staff at that parade four years ago, last time we did it. And it was a wonderful time. and this time there's no COVID or like, you know, minimal amount, whatever you So it's going really cool.
01:01:08
Speaker
We're still accepting applications for Color Guard students. So if you are a Color Guard student who would be interested, you need to talk to your band director or your Color Guard director, have them nominate you on the Music for All website. So...
01:01:22
Speaker
that's That's one. And then the other one that I'm going to be teaching with my good friend, Michael O'Neill at the TBA Student Summit sponsored by Bands of America, Ultimate Drill Book and Sassy.
01:01:33
Speaker
That's on July in San Antonio. And that registration is still open. You go through TBA for that. We're excited. This is the first time for the color guard for that. Nice. Nice. Congratulations.
01:01:45
Speaker
Cool deal. Thank you for letting me gush. Oh, of course. Whitney. What you cussing and going on about, girl? I'm living in this house for about two more weeks, and then we are moving to Houston.
01:02:01
Speaker
um home i never thought I would move to Houston, but here we are. I will have lived in Austin for almost exactly 10 years, like a week short of 10 years.
01:02:14
Speaker
And I'm going to be the new color guard director at Bridgeland High School. Get it.
01:02:22
Speaker
So proud of you. Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. Cameron, what are you gushing and going about? Similar to Whitney, I also have just moved.
01:02:33
Speaker
I mentioned I was in Winchester, Virginia now. I just got my first college professor job at Shenandoah Conservatory, so I'm teaching musical education. Nice.
01:02:45
Speaker
Congratulations. I'm excited. Everybody's just got such great things going on. Happy. What you guys are the going to go into that? love that you still call me Pappy. So many people are like, who's Pappy?
01:02:55
Speaker
i was the oldest person in the Cavaliers Color Guard because my birthday is one day after the cutoff. So my nickname was Pappy. Pappy! So, no, I just found out I'm pregnant. So, no, I just always wanted to sit down.
01:03:08
Speaker
I know you've been trying. but For years, years and years, girl. i just I just opened up my sixth company. um So I now have a boutique hotel. Thank you.
01:03:20
Speaker
A boutique hotel, a bar arcade. We're literally just opening up Lasertag at the bar arcade. And i have a construction company, a holding company, and with all my...
01:03:31
Speaker
ah properties on it and now we just are opening up a med spa um so i'm learning all sorts of wonderful things about red light therapy and cryotherapy and all sorts of wonderful things and i leave for scotland in two days honey my my sister is a mogul okay oh go what
01:03:49
Speaker
what I can't even. So you know what? I'm going to go ahead gush. um I am very excited because i am about to start packing my bags to get ready for the Bands of a America summer camp. This is year 22, 23, 23.
01:04:06
Speaker
twenty two twenty three twenty three This is year 23 for me. So i' am super excited about that. And then I get to go on the road with the Academy for a while and get to see my babies. It's been a few days since I've been with them. and I'm really excited. I'm really excited for everybody to see this show because it is going to be, it's going to be good. It's good. Can you talk, are you allowed, but have they announced it? Yeah, we announced it. It's called London Fog.
01:04:31
Speaker
And it's basically, it's set in Victorian England and it's what happens in the fog that covers the city of London. Like, you never know. Is the fog good? Is the fog bad? Like, do you embrace the fog? It's just going to be fun, honey, with some pretty colors and some cute swirls.
01:04:53
Speaker
I love those shows. It's called Gush Go, not Gush Go. Let's go. Well, thank you to my good sister, Whitney, for joining me for this bonus Pride episode and to our amazing, amazing guests, Danny, Cameron, and Chad or Pappy.
01:05:12
Speaker
Hey, where can folks follow your groups and yourselves on social media, Danny? So I'm actually off social media because I ah need to heal my brain because I started using it obviously as a teenager.
01:05:26
Speaker
So I'm completely off of social right now. I get back on at some point in my life. But if you need me, ask Whitney or anyone on this podcast knows how to get hold of me. Yeah. Cameron, what about you?
01:05:38
Speaker
I'm on Facebook, Instagram. Folks can find me there, Cameron Elliott, two L's, two T's, or I won't pop up. Charlotte Pride Band, for anyone in that area that's interested, should be on Facebook and Instagram as well. If you're in the Raleigh area of North Carolina, the Triangle Pride Band is there. Alex Alberti is fantastic.
01:05:57
Speaker
And then I think when I did World Pride, it was the Lesbian, Gay, Bands, LGB organization, but I think it's now Pride Bands Alliance. is the name of the group that oversees all that, and they should also have full socials.
01:06:12
Speaker
think it's pridebandalliance.org, I believe, is the thing for that. ah Business mogul, how can people check you out? You can find on Facebook and Instagram at Chad Greifey.
01:06:26
Speaker
And then, yeah, if you're ever in the St. Louis area and you're looking for a cute place to stay, rivershyrnshotel.com and a nice little barcade called The Alley. That's at washmoalley.com.
01:06:39
Speaker
And if you want some nice spa treatment, it's called the collective River Sirens Collective. So if you're looking for a nice little staycation, we're right off the Amtrak. So you can have a nice little staycation. Or if you're anywhere in the Midwest, come check us out.
01:06:53
Speaker
Oh, and St. Louis Pride Color Guard. If you're a color guard person St. Louis area, do we usually have about 100 people in our guard. So come join us. Oh, I love Well, thank you again to our wonderful guests. But one more thing, subscribe, rate, and review us.
01:07:10
Speaker
Send us a video or an email if you want to be featured on the show. And you can follow us at On A Water Break Podcast. So we'll see you next time on A Water Break.
01:07:23
Speaker
The On a Water Break podcast was produced by Jeremy Williams and Christine Rehm. The intro and outro music was produced by Josh Lida. To learn more, visit LidaMusic.com.
01:07:35
Speaker
And until next time, thanks for tuning
01:07:42
Speaker
she