Band Night and a Barn Burner of a game

This week Waycross covered Walnut Hills vs. Winton Woods in high school football. Unlike the other football games we've covered this year, which were blowouts, this game actually was exciting right up to the final minute with the lead changing a few times in the 4th quarter. In the end, Walnut Hills held on to win, 31-28, which unfortunately leaves Winton Woods' postseason prospects highly doubtful.

In addition it was Band Night at Winton Woods High School, in which the High School Marching Band was joined by the 7th and 8th grade bands, in a halftime show that featured a tribute to the Beatles. Click here or on the images for a bunch of pics of the band, with longtime Waycross volunteer and WWHS Marching Band Field Commander Jason Dudley dressed in Sgt. Pepper garb.

A Midsummer Night's Dream for an autumn evening

Click either image for more pics

A lovely September night for a Shakespeare in the Park performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Burnet Woods in Clifton, near the UC campus. The rain fortunately held off until well after the show ended, so the show went off without a hitch. Afterwards, it was off to the Clifton Skyline Chili at Ludlow and Clifton with friends Nancy, Charles and Dick, as well as Luigina and Rob.

Click either image for more pics

And a great show it was. Burnet Woods, in my opinion, provides the perfect setting for a play set largely in a forest, the cast was energetic (not to mention hilarious; you really get an idea of where Monty Python was getting a fair chunk of their material), and the costuming added the crowning touch. If the CSC ever puts on a production of Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass, Cary Davenport, pictured here playing the part of Francis Flute (who is in turn playing the part of Thisbe), has to play the part of the Red Queen. A tip of the hat to Heidi Jo Scheimer, the CSC's Resident Costume Designer, for inspired work on all the costumes (though in Cary's case, it's the beard that really completes the look, not to mention his facial expressions).

Alas, this was the final performance of MSND for the 2011 SitP season. There is a final performance of Julius Caesar next weekend, but I  don't think I'll be able to make that.

I just wish this company had been around in the early 70s when Mrs. McCann, my ninth-grade English teacher, was trying to make me read Julius Caesar. Apparently she, along with my dad, a college English professor at UC, were of the opinion that Shakespeare was writing for them (i.e., English teachers) and that these plays were meant to be read, rather than seen. I strongly disagree. Reading these plays just doesn't do it for me. To truly appreciate Shakespeare, you should see the plays performed, by a company as talented and enthusiastic as the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

Week 4

Click image for more pics

Week 4 of the High School football season, this week was Finneytown vs. Taylor. As usual, I wasn't able to take pictures during the game (I'm generally pretty busy wrestling with an approx. Year 2000 Windows computer, using Excel 97 (97!), to keep the score, down & distance, etc. up-to-date.). But it was a beautiful night (partly cloudy, temps in the 50s), and I did manage to get some pictures of the Marching Band as they marched past the production truck.

Caesar on the River

Click either image for more pics

Went to another production of Julius Caesar, put on by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, this time at Bellevue Beach Park. The park is right on the Ohio River, approximately across the river from Eden Park. A rousing performance as far as it went. Unfortunately, a drenching shower started shortly after intermission, forcing the players to cancel the remainder of the performance. All the players were scheduled to perform in A Man for All Seasons at CSC in downtown Cincinnati later in the evening, and hence couldn't wait out the shower. Naturally, the sun came back out shortly after that decision was made, but then again, the rain returned while we we walking back to our cars. So it was a good call, after all.

Click either image for more pics

Afterwards, we went to York St. Cafe in Newport for light dinner and dessert. A wonderful outdoor dining experience, with wonderful company, and desserts to die for!

On the Road To Morrow...

Click image for more pics

Today, we at Waycross were on the road to Morrow. All our teams were on the road (except St. X at Colerain, which we couldn't cover because ONN preempted us), so we packed up and went to Little Miami High School in Morrow, OH (near Lebanon) for a game between Northwest and Little Miami. Northwest won by a lopsided score of 42-7, despite getting penalties what seemed like every other play. But a very fun shoot, and a very solid crew, even if the game itself was a bit boring.

...and the start of Fall

And with Fall, comes the start of the High School football season. Actually, the season started last weekend, but I missed that due to Context 24.

Last night, Waycross covered Colerain vs. Ryle at Colerain High School's Cardinal Stadium. And a very hot night for  September, as the area was under a heat advisory. On the way over, my car's overhead indicator said it was 100°F outside (actual temp — not a "feels like" index!)

As usual, I was in the truck updating the Deko graphics computer with the score, down & distance, etc. during the game, so I was ony able to get pictures before the game. Oh, and the final score: Colerain 37, Ryle 0. Pretty much a blowout from the start, plus the fact that Ryle's quarterback suffered a knee injury in the first quarter.

The end of summer...

Click image for more pics

The end of summer brings with it the end of another fantastic season of Greenhills Concert on the Commons. As usual, the American Legion Post #530 Concert Band provided a most enjoyable evening of patriotic marches, show tunes, and other standards. And the Concert on the Commons has had great luck with the weather this year -- another beautiful evening for an outdoor concert, the last of the summer to be covered by Waycross. :)

Context 24

Click image for more pics

Went to Context 24 in Columbus last weekend; great fun,  as usual. The surprise Special Guest was John Scalzi, who graciously agreed to appear and do several panels, readings, signings, etc on Saturday afternoon. He was the last-minute substitute for the scheduled Guest of Honor, L.E. Modesitt, who unfortunately had to cancel when his wife became seriously ill the previous week. But Scalzi was available, for Saturday afternoon anyway, so it was all good. All in all, a very enjoyable weekend!!