2Hot2Handle: Up In Smoke
Climate Change is coming, fast and furious.
Last summer was the third hottest summer on record for the US. Every. Single. Show. in the state of Texas on the 2022 DCI tour, as well as some in Oklahoma, had their start times pushed back due to heat-related concerns. Some corps ended up performing in rehearsal gear instead of their uniforms, and the Lawton, OK show became a standstill exhibition due to the brutal heat wave. General Effect Media published an article about this issue last summer, highlighting the problems it caused and the potential for impact on future seasons.
Future seasons are here, and the heat is back with a vengeance.
2022 Redux
Last summer, the issue was a phenomenon called a “heat dome” over the Central US. It is a large area of High pressure that sits over a specific area for an extended period when it is already extremely warm. Because the area of high pressure has so much air in such a small place, it rushes outwards to areas of lower pressure. The air above tends to be very dry, and any areas of moisture (and potential rain to cool down the area) are pushed away by the outgoing air.
Additionally, there was another phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean called La Niña that those in hurricane-prone areas may be familiar with. La Niña affected the tour by causing droughts in the western US in the winter and spring of 2022. This reduced the available moisture in the ground. When things heat up, this moisture usually evaporates, which carries some of the heat energy away. Without that evaporation occurring, one of the most significant ways to keep temperatures from skyrocketing is gone.
Astute observers of the climate may note that there was just a change from a La Niña state to an El Niño. This was declared just this month, so that not only increases the likelihood of volatile weather events worldwide but also means that there hasn’t been enough time to offset the effects of the La Niña significantly. That all, combined with another heat dome, this time located further south, means that we will likely see a significant amount of heat-related events again this summer.
Smoke Signals
On the heat-related events this summer, we saw the tour affected at the first show. The 2023 Canadian wildfire season is already the worst season on record, with, as of 7/11/23, an area larger than the state of Indiana burned so far. The Northeast and Midwest have already seen the impacts of this, with significant air quality issues for days and weeks.
It was bad enough leading up to the Tour Premier Event in Rockford, MI, that the Cavaliers withdrew and used the day for Walmart and laundry runs, keeping their members primarily inside. Other corps opted to rehearse inside to minimize member exposure to the poor air quality. Until the show actually started, some still insisted it should be canceled.
This was just the latest instance of fires affecting the tour, as the California corps have dealt with wildfire concerns for years before this. That said, this made the issue hit home much more for corps and fans outside the West.
How Will All Of This Affect Tour?
2023
Provided that the forecasts for the next week or so hold, it looks likely that a few upcoming shows will be pushed back at a minimum. Hopefully, none get outright canceled, though member safety is undoubtedly at the forefront of that decision-making process.
All of this is done in the name of member safety, as there is significant consideration nowadays of heat sensitivity, as well as avoidance of heat-related illness. Extended exposure to heat as well as high heat index values can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and hyperthermia. Additionally, fans can be subject to those issues in largely metal or concrete stands that can serve to trap heat and act like an oven.
As a result, we should see corps doing inside rehearsals during the afternoon, taking more water breaks, and rehearsing later and later than they generally do. With any luck, the late rehearsals and performances will not run afoul of local noise ordinances. This has become standard during this part of the swing.
The more interesting question is whether or not there will be adjustments in the long term.
Beyond
San Antonio became one of the biggest parts of the DCI calendar in the 2000s and has typically since then been the first place that all, or almost all, of the top division corps square off at the same show. When you combine all of those corps in one place with the strong high school band scene in Texas, it makes sense to get as many of those corps performing at as many shows as possible for the gate revenue, the merchandise revenue, and the potential for recruiting.
The problem with that expansion now is that the delays affect many more corps, fans, and shows.
There have been various ways that DCI has done Texas in the past, including season-opening events there in 2011. That avoided the worst of the summer heat, though the tour did still swing through a month later for the San Antonio show. Moving the tour back in any way, shape, or form would only worsen the heat impacts.
Potential Changes
There have been rumors among the corps that DCI as a whole would like to shift the season slightly forward, which would surely help out to some extent. However, that proposal has apparently hit roadblocks. Even so, that only lessens the impact and pushes this issue down the road.
Another idea that many have been pushing toward, primarily to reduce costs, is moving back toward a regional model. There are many issues with that, including impacting longstanding shows such as DCI East in Allentown, competitive concerns stemming from corps only getting to see each other for the first time during the late season or potentially even finals week, and fan concerns, like not being able to see their favorite corps unless they make the trip to Championships or if that corps decides to tour in their region for whatever reason.
With Championships in Indianapolis for the foreseeable future, that does limit how creative scheduling can get, with all corps having to flow into Indy. That said, this situation is not sustainable. With a new CEO stepping in after this season concludes, there will be opportunities for new schools of thought and an injection of new blood. Will DCI be able to adapt? Or will they fly too close to the sun?
Matthew Carstensen is currently GEM’s Managing Editor. He has been involved in the Pageantry Arts for over a decade as a performer at the highest level, an instructor, and a fan. You can find him on Twitter and Threads at @SatNightLites. He currently lives in Florida with his dog.