Latest news with #MarchingBand
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gets Real: Rainbow City Performing Arts
From Pride in the Park through the Parade, Rainbow City Performing Arts has been the sound of Seattle Pride for 27 years. It started with a marching band, growing into eight different performance groups and a space for people to build community. 'We're a refuge for people who come to Seattle and they don't have a place to belong,' said Damien Hall, the organization's executive director. 'We've been working for years to uplift people who use different pronouns, have different identities, and we work to make sure that we're there for the people who are most marginalized.' The Marching Band and Color Guard are some of the staples of the Pride Parade. Their Concert Band plays at Benaroya Hall, adding to the drumline, jazz band, chamber music performances, and the Orchestra. They're also the power behind the Reign City Riot, the first band for a professional women's soccer team. 'We're really excited to be getting a lot more visible here in Seattle. We've been kind of an underground organization for a lot of years.' Hall said. 'Because, a long time ago, we had to create spaces that were a little more private because we were under attack. Newer generations want us to be more visible.' All of the groups perform all around the Puget Sound region, during and outside the month of June. During Seattle Pride, their performance speaks to this year's theme, Louder. It's also close to their mission, according to Rachel Andeen, a cellist who has been in the marching band and orchestra for three years. 'I want to be visible, especially for those who really can't be visible and can't be safe. I live in a state with a lot of laws that protect me. I know people who don't, and so I want to be a visible symbol that it can get better.' Andeen said. The group has tripled in size since the pandemic, Hall says. He is always welcoming to new members of all skill levels. 'All you have to do is know how to play music, and we're open to anyone.'
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I visited the world-first Disney music festival right here in Europe
MUSIC festivals usually mean mud-spattered wellies and warm pints of cider, but this weekend I saw some of the world's best-known stars up close and personal without coming into contact with one speck of dirt. By best known, I mean Mickey Mouse, Moana and Cinderella... because I was at Disney's first ever music festival - at Disneyland Paris. 8 I went to see the first of its kind Music Festival in Disneyland Paris Credit: Supplied 8 The festival kicked off at the beginning of April and will end on September 7, 2025 Credit: Supplied For five months, Disneyland Paris is putting on its very first music festival, and over the weekend, I was lucky enough to see it in action. Heading up to the bandstand on Main Street, within mere minutes of entering the park I caught my first 'gig' - Minnie Mouse And Her Marching Band singing along to movie hits. The park feels even more magical than usual with so many musical events - there's a whopping 20 hours of festival attractions around the park, from huge performances to small gigs. It even has its own anthem for the occasion, it's called 'Viva La Musique', which translates to 'long live music' on repeat. Read More on Disneyland Paris And be warned, you won't be able to get the catchy tune out of your head. The smaller attractions include There's also Miguel's Fiesta Latina, Donald and Daisy's Accordionist and These are performed around four times a day, and it's a chance for fans to see their favourite characters up close. Most read in Family For a good view, I'd suggest going around 15 to 20 minutes before the start time. When I headed to see Moana and her Musicians, a crowd gathered very quickly. Disneyland Paris reveals its new immersive night-time show 8 Minnie Mouse leads her Marching Band through Main Street Credit: Supplied 8 Moana and her Musicians perform in Adventureland five times a day Credit: Supplied For anyone with children, they'll be invited to sit at the front and join in with the dancing too. After almost a day of wandering the park, I made sure my next musical event was a seated concert. Over in the Videopolis theatre was the Disney Music Hits Concert. The half-hour show is based around everything from modern hits to timeless classics. A band with guitars, drums, keyboard and a saxophone accompany five incredible singers, who belt out hits from Prince Ali to Into The Unknown, with lyrics sung in a mixture of French and English. To enjoy the show, you don't actually have to sit in the auditorium as the seats above are in the restaurant area, where you still get a great view of the stage, and enjoy a snack at the same time. The main event of the entire festival is The Grand Orchestra Finale and it's a real showstopper. When the day drew to a close, we gathered in the Central Plaza watch an amazing medley of songs. 8 Mickey Mouse leads the orchestra medley in The Grand Orchestra Finale Credit: Supplied Main mouse While it did get busy, the characters like Rapunzel, and the singers from the Disney Music Hits Concert use all four stages - so you will get a great view from wherever you are. Chip and Dale circle the Central Plaza on a bus so everyone can see the cheeky chipmunks. A must during the festival is downloading the Disneyland Paris app. Not only can you view ride wait times, but you can add a filter for the Disney Music Festival. Click on that and the entire showtime schedule is on your phone. 8 The Disney Music Hits Concert is performed in French and English Credit: Supplied 8 Miguel brings Coco to life with his Fiesta Latina Credit: Supplied From Timon's Matadance to Miguel's Fiesta Latina, you'll be able to see exactly when the smaller and larger performances are taking place. Along with the festival, you can of course head on the rides and see the famous character parade at 11.30am. There's also the incredible The evening show kicks off at 10.40pm and is a spectacular 20-minute show which debuted on January 10, 2025. With a fleet of 1,571 synchronised drones laser projections and fireworks, tales of Disney like Cinderella, Encanto and Lili & Stitch come to life. Even if you're standing further back, it doesn't matter, as the shops along Central Plaza light up, and there's even fake snow. The Disney Music Festival is currently taking place in Disneyland Paris and ends on September 7, 2025. To book tickets and see more information go to Here's an Plus, more on the new 8 There's 20 hours of musical attractions throughout the day Credit: Supplied
USA Today
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Metallica and EA SPORTS launch marching band competition for College Football video game
Metallica and EA SPORTS launch marching band competition for College Football video game Rock on! College football fans and metalheads alike will be coming together to celebrate this season. The legendary rock band Metallica has joined forces with the college football world to create the "ultimate marching band competition." Metallica is calling on all collegiate marching bands for their Marching Band Competition, where the collegiate Division 1 grand prize winner won't just walk away with bragging rights, but they will be IN the game... as in EA SPORTS "in the game." EA SPORTS is bringing one lucky marching band into its next edition of EA SPORTS College Football video game, offering them a chance to record both the game's theme song and a Metallica track to be featured in a future release. 'When this opportunity came up, we knew we had to jump on it,' Metallica shared in a statement. 'It's an incredible chance to amplify the competition and give college bands a moment on one of the biggest stages in sports and gaming.' How it works The band competition challenges marching bands to create the most impressive, high-energy performance of one of Metallica's songs. Bands will have access to the official charts arranged for a marching performance, courtesy of Hal Leonard, the world's best sheet music publisher. There will be a panel of professional judges who will narrow down submissions to five finalists per category. From there, one winner will be selected in each group, including a "Fan Favorite" decided by a public vote. While only the Division 1 collegiate champion will be featured in the EA SPORTS College Football video game, winners from all categories will receive high-end musical equipment for their schools, totaling more than $165,000 in prizes. Key dates and how to enter The deadline to enter is December 1, 2025, but with a cameo in the EA SPORTS College Football video game on the line, the competition is expected to be fierce. Bands interested in entering the competition should visit for full details, performance guidelines, and registration. As Metallica so beautifully says: Time Marches On, and now so does college football! This one-of-a-kind opportunity promises to blend gridiron and rock power like no other! Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
