|
Onyx and O2 are the 2010 World Champions
 What an amazing showing for Tri-State Units at WGI Championships held in Dayton. The day started early Thursday in Scholastic A with Kings having a very good performance. Dunbar and Milford moved on to the Semi-Final round. In Independent A, Consortio, Expressions and Southwind progressed to semis. Consortio ended up in finals placing 4th. What fantastic year for this first year group. Dunbar scored well enough to be in finals but an unfortunate penalty kept them out.
WGI review of Independent A 4th Place – 93.10 - Consortio (Cincinnati, OH)
“Strings in Three Parts” dealt with design in 3s, not uncommon in color guard – 3 pieces of equipment, 3 colors, 3 moods. The bold stripes on the floor set the palette, the palette sets the moods…you immediately see where this is going and you are still so excited to watch it unfold. In parts purple, blue and red, complementary and contrasting, aggressive and exuberant, the well-designed staging creates depth and the skills of the performers made it all work. A personal favorite – the joyful soloist leading out the purple flag finale. Technically strong and wonderfully talented, this production was a joy to watch.
O2 competed in Independent Open and after 3 strong performances over the course of 3 days, and came away as the Independent Open class Champion.
The review from WGI Website 1st Place – 95.05 - O2 (Dayton, OH) “To The End Of The Day” is an elegant production using an all black pallet for flags and costumes; a sophisticated contrast to the pink and taupe floor that is reminiscent of Victorian wallpaper. Unique is the plus shape design of the floor which takes good advantage of the tan tarp covering the Arena’s own baby blue floor. In a wonderful exploration of vertical space, umbrellas on extended poles were part of the final minute, adding whimsy and texture to this oh, so creative program. Distinctive flag work, exemplary weapon skills and an excellent performance are what allowed this program to end their day on top! Congratulations on the gold medal!
Finishing up Saturday night were our 2 world class guards. Onyx and Pride of Cincinnati ended in the top three after their semi finals run on Friday evening. Onyx was first to perform of the top three units followed by the Pride of Cincinnati. You couldn't ask for a better performance out of these talented performers. "The Sleeping Giant" is awakened and Onyx won their first ever gold medal as a World Class guard. POC production of "Summer of Love" rocked the UD Area with the loudest ovation of the night and finished with the bronze medal. Great job to the performers and staffs of all these units.
World Class review
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!
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.
|
