Reprinted from wgi.org by Jolie Henricks -- Thursday evening, 33 units began 3 rounds of competition at 1 iconic venue. Saturday night, it came down to the final 15 at the University of Dayton Arena. Here are the results: 1st Place – 97.85 - Onyx (Dayton, OH) Strongly marked in black and brown, the crowd welcomed the “Sleeping Giant”.
A clear stage of white and brown creates almost a silhouette quality for this engaging, dynamic, eerie and menacing program. While those words aren’t often associated with a guard program, the gurgling soundtrack of slumber presents a pulse-less menace that goes on and on and magnificently on. Perhaps the impetus for the show, one large man in the corner begins with one big toss. And so begins the rifle ripple that is sculptured and shaped and coupled with the incredibly textured movement program that is intriguing and athletic. Moving through its quirkiness, an incredibly complex flag ripple continues into an intense equipment segment that reshapes and reshapes and reshapes. At times the work is awkward and eccentric and uncomfortable and it is so enjoyable for all of those things. It all works. Resolving as it began with a dense movement block, it leaves two men standing. Suffice it to say…the giant won. Congratulations on the gold medal!
2nd Place – 97.50 - Santa Clara Vanguard (Santa Clara, CA)
In all of us there is something that needs “Letting Go”. Bound by brown velvet and yet magnificently filling the so clearly defined stage – you can’t help but know where they are going and you become so involved in watching SCV get there. Last year’s Independent World Champion explores this stage with subtlety, simplicity, and bravery. The performers explore the space at a pace that lets them pass through without you realizing that they have; you are so mesmerized by their progression. Truly simple and gorgeous flags created a palette of timing excellence in a very non-traditional flag feature. The constant shedding of layers is reflective and poignant and leads you on; the confidence of the performers lets you breath with them. A design appreciation for subtle and complex is inherent in the challenging choreography as well as in the substantial skill set that this program has to offer. The performance tonight was exquisite and emotional and very appreciated by the audience.
3rd Place – 97.35 - Pride of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH)
O.M.G! You could not buy the response POC received this evening…before the show, after the show…I have never heard a guard get such applause. If they could have done a reprise, they very willingly would have. These hippies owned the UD Arena tonight and though it is not quite the season yet, they brought with them the “Summer of Love”! Prayer rugs, drum circles, flower children…embracing the energy and idealism of the 60’s, and full of groovy skills and crowd wowing energy, these are no dippy hippies but a crazy-talented bunch. Using subtle symbolism that is still in your face, cleverly hidden flags in signs of the times and joyful, funky and impeccable equipment phrases, this program had an eloquence that carried you through the dynamic decade in a few short minutes. I want to see it again, man. No surprise that this group won the Fans’ Favorite vote.
4th Place – 94.4 - Northeast Independent (Jacksonville, FL)
Just as we have no control over earth’s gravity, we must also acknowledge the pull other individuals have on us. NEI’s production pulls us further in, dragging us into their “Ruthless Gravity”. The creeping energy of the track carries you along and is exaggerated by the outstanding movement skills of the members. Layer in the controlled danger of rifle tosses, the in your face sabre finesse and kaleidoscopic staging and you have one dynamic show. Articulate and colored in passionate red and jealous green, it is a performance from which the audience did not want to break free.
5th Place – 94.35 - Blessed Sacrament (Cambridge, MA)
IN“formation” is all about what you have to say. And Blessed Sac certainly said it tonight. On a floor drawn with a speaking mouth, the percussive typing sounds set the track that builds and silences and builds again. It builds through the use of lazy Susans as they spin in circles, through the speaking of the members to the audience and through the intense red flag feature that frames a lone speaking female. The repeated use of the hand over the mouth is symbolic, but they will still be heard. There is power in the silence, there is power in the word and there is power in their performance. And the audience tonight was very willing to listen.
6th Place – 92.35 - Braddock Independent (Miami, FL)
Peter Gabriel’s score of “The Passion” is iconic with Christian symbols. Using a floor and flags representing abstract images of Jesus and a movement book full of not so subtle reference to Biblical events, this story-telling is underscored by rock solid rifle skills and a growling energy. Adrenaline fueled this super-talented program and we got to appreciate to the red flag feature and even better, the non-stop rifle ripple that traveled the expanse of the floor and back again. If you know the story, you get it. If you do not know the story, you get it. The audience got it, too, and the audience loved it!
7th Place – 92.0 - Crown Guard (Atlanta, GA)
Elegant and classy in cream and silver, “The Last Dance” floods the floor with romantic silhouettes of passions young and old. If the romantic pairings and ballroom movement in the beginning didn’t get to you, the intense opening rifle toss did. It was perfection and then it only got better. The control and confidence carried through the entire program, culminating in a magnificently passionate purple flag feature. Crown’s performance embraced you and invited you in and you could only say yes to a dance.
8th Place – 90.15 - Black Watch (Mount Laurel, NJ)
“Affect-Ability” is elegant and exotic and full of absolutely the best skirted costumes of the year. The gorgeous jade fabric creates richness and a dimension that is shown at its best during the unfurling of the spiral flag feature that is coupled with a brilliant aqua silk. The palette of this show is impeccable and completely enhanced the magnificent run Black Watch had this evening - solid weapon solos, a non stop flag line and a confident performance certainly gave the audience the ability to fully enjoy this production.
9th Place – 88.30 - Cypress Independent (Houston, TX)
A brand new organization, Cypress Independent found it no problem to "Go Forth" solidly into the middle of Independent World competition. The performers embodied the deep traditions of the American pioneering spirit. Modern and folksy and full of guitar rhythms that make you smile, the simplicity of this program is what sets it apart. A warm sun-colored floor, performers dressed in a variety of crisp white costumes and single color flags all lead to a stunning flag finale that then focuses on the stunning female soloist, leading couples back onto the floor, looking forward to a strong future for this first year program.
10th Place – 86.85 - Juxtaposition (Westerville, OH)
“You” showed how lovely 3 pieces of equipment could be when that is the first thing you see. And it is all about you, the audience – from the vibrant orange and purple costuming that pops off of the floor of khaki to the thoughtfulness of the program as well. The word you is powerful and can hold the energy to hurt or heal or humor. The show is explored with poignancy and humor and strength. The cello beat box dance feature is wholly unique as is the ecru flag, lovely in its lack of strong color. Powerful solo tosses reflect the chaos in the music and the colors of the flags reflect the emotion of the words. The final thought is You changed my life and for all of us involved in this activity, I am sure that there is someone you could say that to.
11th Place – 85.60 - Alter Ego (West New York, NJ)
Staged on a sepia tinted moonscape and costumed in 1940’s elegance, “Tonight Will Be A Memory, Too” is certainly one to remember. The classy façade belies the strength of these performers as they filled the arena with their joy. Spinning ever-changing sets of flags colored as earth and sky, the complex choreography carries you to a gorgeous ripple then on to a wall of shining saber tosses and finally pulls the ensemble into an extraordinary huckleberry flag feature. Their sensitivity and strong performance qualities certainly helped the audience to make memories of enjoying this program.
12th Place – 84.95 - First Flight (Cary, NC)
This show is about movement, about travel, about growth and it is ultimately “About The Journey”. Staged on a transit tunnel of white and dynamic in costumes that contrast front to back, this program carries you through a surprisingly emotional journey. With movement choreography worthy of a dance company, they take their flag feature a step beyond, adding transitions and exchanges throughout the signature moment. The dynamics and breath of the equipment book and the simple joy of the performers makes this program such a pleasure to watch because clearly the members enjoy the direction they have been given and are truly enjoying their journey. The tenderness with which this production was presented certainly made the audience glad they got to come along.
13th Place – 84.3 - Mayflower (Billericay, England)
The grey floor is set with tables “For two…”. Dining sounds introduce the show with couples enjoying conversation at the tables, but these tables aren’t for dining. They quickly become the tools for dynamic exchanges of sabers and movement phrases and a quick stop for a soloist. A favorite was the glorious simplicity of a rock solid-standing-still-on-a-table-rifle-five. And for dessert, a fabulous sherbet-colored flag feature. Great transitions, a dynamic sabre book and a wonderful performance quality are what carried this program into finals. Welcome back to America, Mayflower!
14th Place – 83.85 - Diamante (Anaheim, CA)
Organic body shapes of strength and sabre react to the ocean noises that introduce “The Devil’s Sea”. Styled in simple browns on a floor of ocean blues, the production opens with an all sabre feature accenting the dramatic rise and fall of the music. They then set sail into solid rifle work that culminates in one of the longest rifle phrases of the night. Reacting dynamically to the chaotic music of the storm with both rifles and rifles, the use of panels matching the floor ultimately lets the sea win but the audience won as well by being allowed to share in the adventure.
15th Place – 82.25 - Opus 10 (Denver, CO)
Dynamic circles of yellow set the stage for “The Music Box”. At times mechanical to reflect the winding of the box and with a stage set as gears in the box, an exquisite soloist has been set free from her confines. This show winds up and takes off, right into an all flag feature. Follow that with a lovely rain of weapons mimicking the musical intensity of Prokofiev’s 1st Piano Concerto op.10, wind in a lovely classical ballet movement program, some comedic intensity, and challenging partnering with the sabre line and you have one well-run machine. The audience was certainly pleased we were allowed to come inside.
