Water Break Weekly: Inside Pride Guards, Parade Performance & LGBTQIA+ Marching Bands

🎙️ Welcome to On A Water Break — your sideline pass to the world of drum corps, marching band, color guard, and the marching arts!

This week, we’re turning the spotlight on LGBTQIA+ performers, educators, and community leaders who are making Pride not just a celebration—but a statement.

🫶 Host Ricardo Robinson-Shinall and co-host Whitney Stone are joined by an all-star panel:

• Cameron Elliott, former Artistic Director for the World Pride Marching Band and longtime leader with Charlotte Pride Band
• Chad Greife, director of the St. Louis Pride Guard
• Danielle Young, co-director of the Indy Pride Guard and national adjudicator

Together, they share heartfelt stories, hilarious moments, and hard-won lessons from building Pride Guards and Bands across the country. From battling heat exhaustion on parade routes to coordinating hundreds of performers with just a few rehearsals, this episode dives deep into the passion, logistics, and legacy behind these vital community groups.

💬 Topics include:

• How Indy Pride Guard and St. Louis Pride Guard were founded
• Behind-the-scenes stories from World Pride and local parades
• The role of color guard and marching band in queer visibility
• Superstitions, glitter, flag swaps, and... serving face when the hottie walks by

👀 Plus: A viral-worthy 60-Second Tech Block from Cameron, Water We Doing?! rants on parade policies and superstition, and a round of Gush & Go that’ll leave you smiling.

🎧 Sponsored by
Guard Closet – your one-stop shop for all things marching arts.
Website: guardcloset.com | IG: @guardcloset

Peak Group Travel – travel planning for your next band trip, competition, or parade.
Website: peakgrouptravel.com | IG: @peakgrouptravel

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