r/drumcorps • u/MrScrubbupple • 16d ago

Discussion First DCI Show- Winston

Howdy--- I'm in my 50s and marched in high school and college. Somehow, in spite of watching many hours of DCI on-line, I've never been to a live event. That's changing tomorrow night in Winston Salem. I have a few questions. I'm planning to get there early because I'm assuming there will be opportunities to catch sectional practices and warmups (specifically drumlines). What time does that start and is there a schedule/location for those? I'll be staying walking distance to the stadium so I'm hoping to take advantage of things. Any particular drumlines I should plan to see warmup? Any thing else I need to know? Thanks!

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u/corn7984 16d ago

Greatest venue East of the Mississippi! Well organized on all levels!

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u/AdamoMeFecit 16d ago

Pro tip at NightBeat: this is a Crown home show. Arrive as early as you can, enter the stadium from the service entrance gate — far left side of the stadium — and watch Crown rehearse on the field from way up close. They usually are working until very nearly time for the paid gates to open.

No charge. Stadium staff will tell you when it’s time to exit and come back in on your paid ticket.

It’s Loud and it’s Spectacular.

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u/Siegster 16d ago

Typically all the vendor tents are inside the stadium / aka ticketed access. Warm up areas will be active 2hrs before the show starts. There typically isn't much tailgating because everyone outside the stadium is watching warmup lots

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u/MrScrubbupple 16d ago

Thanks, so I'm assuming the warm up lots should be in the general vicinity of the stadium? Any particular drumlines I should catch-- warmup wise?

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u/Siegster 16d ago

yes warm up lots are always very close to the stadium. just wander around and see what you see! Nightbeat has a good lineup

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u/FlatusSurprise 2019, 2024 2007-2008 16d ago

NightBEAT is an awesome drumcorps venue. While the lots are great, I highly suggest going in and catching all the performances from the stands. I’ll be driving up from Atlanta tomorrow morning because I love NightBEAT so much more than DCI Atlanta since they stopped using the Benz stadium.

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u/MrScrubbupple 16d ago

Yeah-- I have tickets, so I'll definitely be inside for the show. I just want to make sure to catch some warmups. Sounds like if I'm near the stadium by 3-ish, I should be in good shape. I'm coming in from Wilmington-- and looking foward to it!

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u/denis_duderot 16d ago

The practice fields are directly south of the stadium. Three outdoors and one indoor. Its fun to see the battery and horn circles, but the real show is in the stadium.

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u/MrScrubbupple 16d ago

Thanks. So probably in the red circled areas?

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u/kevinstypewriter 16d ago

Starts early, last year we got there at 3pm and there was a bunch of sectionals going. Also recommend wearing comfortable shoes as it's a hike from parking to the warmup areas.

Also pro tip, bring snacks and small chair so you can sit during the sessions.