Is Dan Marching?
My partner, Dan, has become more and more involved with the Minnesota Freedom Band and the LGBA national group over the years that I’ve been a member. The first time I recall him performing with us was when the MFB hosted the national group and we marched in Superior, Wisconsin for their Pride parade and, then, at the State Fair. Dan was in the colorguard, which twirls colored flags in choreographed routines to the music being played by the band. He has also marched with the MFB in Minneapolis Pride parades and Holidazzle parades, wearing a variety of “hats,” including colorguard, sleigh bell player and, recently, tri-tom player. He marched with “Team Band” on Soldier and Wrigley fields for Gay Games VII in Chicago, carrying one of the rainbow flags. And, this past October, Dan was in the colorguard for LGBA’s performance in NYC’s Halloween Village Parade. This parade probably represented the most involved role he has played. Colorguard organizers sent a training video that taught the routines to all five of the songs we would play in the parade. Dan played the video on our laptop and learned and practiced the routines using a broom to simulate a flag — first, in our office/music room and, then, out in our back yard, where he had plenty of room to twirl and didn’t have to worry about knocking stuff over or off the walls! Dan also helped out the MFB’s percussion section in November, playing tympani and accessories, when our numbers dwindled to just a couple for our most recent indoor concert. The section could not have successfully pulled off the pieces we did without his help; THANKS, DAN!
So, we tried to register him to be a member of the colorguard but, alas, the available slots filled before we could get him in. But, we’ll both still be traveling to DC. Given the high cost of flights, we’ll be driving out to DC. The 20th lands on a Tuesday, and I have Monday, the 19th off for MLK Day. So, that gives us the weekend to drive out in time for my first rehearsal on Sunday, from 1 pm to 6 pm. Then, I’ll take Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off from work to allow time to travel home. We’ll be staying in Fairfax, Virginia, at a hotel just 5 miles from a Metro train stop. So, we’ll be able to park at the train station and take the train into DC for rehearsals and the parade.
Other Details
All participants in the parade will, not surprisingly, undergo a background check by the U.S. Secret Service.
The 2009 inaugural parade will begin at the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building and proceed along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. The route is about 2 miles in length.
We will be marching using a 28″ stride, which is mandated by the government to allow as many bands as possible to pass the reviewing stand. This stride is longer than most bands use. Typically, a stride of “8 steps to 5 yards” is used. When I do the calculation for comparison, this would be a stride of 22.5 inches.
Tim
Tags: Dan, inaugural, Obama Inaugural Parade, parade, route, stride
timdan2
I can’t tell you how jealous I am that you will be at the inaugural parade. Have a great time!!