Food Etiquette At A Drum Corps Show
Don't Do What Donny Drum Corps Does
"I am going to teach them some lessons in manners, etiquette, and hygiene." - Andy Kaufman, screaming at a wrestling crowd in the Mid-South.
Alright. We all love drum corps. We all love food. It's only natural to combine them! Whether it's pierogies in Allentown or BBQ in San Antonio, there is plenty of chow down on during the DCI Summer Tour. I'd love to take a few minutes and discuss some Pinky Up tips needed to navigate your food consumption at a drum corps show.
Behold, The Lone Vending Machine Inside The Alamodome!
Know Before You Go
In the Fall, I make it a point to purchase as many goodies from the concession stand as possible. Why? (Because Waco) Most contests are hosted by a drum corps or a local high school. That particular marching ensemble usually gets a good cut of the concession sales. If you want to be a good person and support the arts, find out who's hosting the event so you can make sure they get all that delicious cash money. Also, the concession money at the really large venues probably goes to some heartless corporation that makes their workers pay for their own hair nets so do whatever you want with that information.
Eat Before Or During
Ohhhh yes. The ultimate dilemma. If you're anything like me, you hate missing any ensemble that takes the field regardless of what you think of their program/unit/second assistant caption head twice removed. I like to grab some grub BEFORE the shows start and then take my chances during INT. If I really want to challenge myself, I will go Full Zoomies down the hallway between marching ensembles. I hate bragging about myself, but my one claim to fame is having the fastest concession stand sprints in the Pageantry Arts. CUE THE FILE FOOTAGE!!!
The Alamodome Back Hallway, 2021
Excuse The Shaky Camerawork
If you do decide to eat during the contest, please be mindful. People are trying to listen to the music on the field and not your failed attempts at scooping out the last jalapeño from that silly paper cone they serve it in. Jalapeño paper cones should be immediately outlawed! STAND WITH ME, NACHO FAMILY!!! And by the way, clean up after yourselves. I know you can do it. I believe in you.
Eliminate The "Hot Dog Corps"
I get it. Not every program that steps on the field is going to be your cup of tea. Most everyone has their reasons for choosing a Hot Dog Corps. Maybe they cut you a long, long time ago and you never handled it with professional help. Maybe an ex-partner marched with that unit and…you never handled it with professional help. Whatever the case may be, I am making an emotional plea to eliminate choosing an ensemble to skip. Look within yourselves and stick around for all of the units!
If the Lovey-Dovey approach doesn't work for you, maybe some simple economics will do the trick. You are literally paying money to NOT see a drum corps!! You are intentionally missing out on a product you already paid for just so you can buy a bag of peanuts that you will absolutely not finish. No one has ever finished a bag of peanuts. Ever!
I hope this has helped guide you to better food decisions at your next drum corps show. And by better food decisions, I do not mean healthier decisions. Let's face it. Your arteries swell shut at the contest. And you thank the activity for it.