The Drum Corps International World Championships, Aug. 4 - 8 2009, will mark a week-long celebration of the "very best" in the world of marching music. Featuring a high level of performance excellence coupled with an intense competitive spirit, more than 40 drum and bugle corps made up of some 5,000 young performers will take the field throughout the course of the week, creating unparalleled excitement as they vie for the World Championship title. But the World Championships are never just about the competition on the field. With thousands of fans, supporters and alumni traveling from across the country and the world to be part of the festivities, the DCI World Championships become the biggest social gathering of the year for the entire drum corps community. In and outside of the stadium venue, individuals will have the opportunity to meet up with friends both old and new to share their common passion for Marching Music's Major League. Use this guide below to plan your week and take advantage of everything Drum Corps International and the cities of Michigan City and Indianapolis, Ind. have to offer.

Michigan City Opening Ceremonies

Monday, August 3, 2009

Opening Ceremonies Where: Ames Field, 2501 Franklin St./State Route 421, Michigan City, IN 46360 When: 6:30 p.m. CT Admission: Free and open to the public About: Kickoff the 2009 World Championships with Michigan City Mayor Charles Oberlie and DCI Executive Director Dan Acheson at this event, which will feature special performances by Open Class corps Legends and Velvet Knights.  

Open Class Quarterfinals, Ames Field

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Open Class Quarterfinals Where: Ames Field, 2501 Franklin St./State Route 421, Michigan City, IN When: 2:30 p.m. CT Admission: $15 general admission tickets About: Nineteen Open Class corps will take the field on the very first day of World Championship competition, competing to earn a spot in the Semifinals competition.  

Wednesday, August 5, 2009


Indy Drum-off Press Conference
Indy Drum-Off Press Conference Where: Lucas Oil Stadium North Steps, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. ET Admission: Free and open to the public About: Emceed by DCI Field Pass host Dan Potter, this media event will pit the talents of the Cavaliers' drum line against those of local celebrities including media members, sports team personalities, and more.
 
Individual & Ensemble Competition Where: Indianapolis Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 11 a.m. ET Admission: Free and open to the public About: Experience the talent and dedication of individual drum corps members who have gone above and beyond their already grueling summer tours to prepare solo and ensemble performance pieces for this all-day event.
 
Hall of Fame Kickoff Party Where: Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. ET Admission: Free and open to the public About: Enjoy great food, drink, games, auctions and entertainment as the drum corps community comes together to celebrate the latest classes of DCI Hall of Fame inductees and to kickoff the start of the World Championships in Indianapolis.

Thursday, August 6, 2009


Indianapolis Artsgarden
DCI Promotional Performance Where: Circle Center Mall, Indianapolis Artsgarden (Illinois and Washington St., Indianapolis) When: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET Admission: Free and open to the public About: Teal Sound will be sure to rattle the glass at a special performance in the magnificent Indianapolis Artsgarden, the home to more than 300 free performances and exhibitions each year. Learn more about the Indy Artsgarden.
 
World Class Quarterfinals Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 4 p.m. ET Admission: Tickets starting at $25 About: All 22 World Class corps will begin their quest for the World Championship title at this event. The top 17 when the evening's competition is completed will advance to the Friday evening Semifinals.
 
Big, Loud & Live 6 Where: Nearly 400 movie theaters nationwide When: 6:30 p.m. ET Admission: Tickets starting at $18 About: Experience all of the excitement of the World Class Quarterfinals from any one of more than 400 movie theaters across the country in this live broadcast, coming to fans entirely in high definition for the first time this year.
 
Big, Loud & Live 6 Wrap Party Where: Hard Rock Caf?© Indianapolis, 49 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis When: 11 p.m. ET (following World Class Quarterfinals) Admission: Free and open to DCI Super Fans About: Following the World Championship Quarterfinals, DCI Super Fans can join the production crew, DCI staff and other fans at the famous Hard Rock Caf?© to celebrate the very first "Big, Loud and Live" broadcast shot and produced entirely in high definition. Learn more about becoming a DCI Super Fan.

Friday, August 7, 2009


Lucas Oil Stadium
Open Class Semifinals Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 8 a.m. ET Admission: $15 general admission tickets About: The field narrows to 17 as the Open Class corps continue their run for the gold, giving all they've got in this competition for a chance to advance to the Saturday morning Finals. The event will also feature special exhibition performances by the two corps that did not advance from the Quarters. 
 
DCI FanFair Where: White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis When: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET Admission: Free and open to the public About: Watch the World Class corps up close as they warm-up and prepare for their big Semifinals performances at this first ever public festival, complete with family fun, food, souvenirs and more. 
 
DCI Headquarters Open House Where: 110 W. Washington St., Suite C (Northwest corner of Illinois and Washington Streets, below Weber Grill) When: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET Admission: Free and open to the public About: Stop on by and have a chat with Drum Corps International employees while taking a tour through the brand new DCI corporate headquarters in downtown Indianapolis.
 
World Class Semifinals Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 5 p.m. ET Admission: Tickets starting at $25 About: See spectacular performances from the top 17 World Class corps as they fight for a chance to make it into the elusive "Top 12" after this competition. 
 
Awards and Age-Out Ceremonies Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: Approximately 10:30 p.m. ET, following the World Class Semifinals Admission: Free with World Class Semifinals ticket About: The 2009 DCI Hall of Fame inductees, winners of the Individual & Ensemble Competition, scholarship recipients, and age-out corps members will be recognized on the field during this special ceremony following the World Class Semifinals. Registered DCI Super Fan alumni will have the special opportunity to head down onto the field during this event to welcome the newly appointed age-out members into their ranks. 
 
Super Fan and Alumni After Party Where: Slippery Noodle Inn, 372 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis When: Approximately 11 p.m. ET, following the World Class Semifinals Admission: Free and open to DCI Super Fans About: DCI Super Fans will have the chance to indulge in great food and drinks while celebrating the excitement of the 2009 World Championships with friends old and new at the Super Fan and Alumni Party Headquarters, downtown Indy's prominent Slippery Noodle Inn. Learn more about becoming a DCI Super Fan.

Saturday, August 8, 2009


White River State Park
DCI FanFair Where: White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis When: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Admission: Free and open to the public About: Watch World and Open Class corps up close as they warm-up and prepare for their big performances at this first ever public festival, complete with family fun, food, souvenirs and more.
 
Friends of DCI Breakfast Where: Indianapolis Westin, 50 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET Admission: Invitation only for select Friends of DCI members About: Friends of DCI members will be celebrating the success of another year with a breakfast spread, special program and surprise drum corps appearance at this invitation-only event for the exclusive inner circle of DCI's most committed fans. Learn more about becoming a Friends of DCI member.
 
Open Class Finals Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 10 a.m. ET Admission: $20 general admission tickets About: Find out which of the top 12 Open Class corps will be named the 2009 World Champion in this final competitive showcase of incredible musicianship and athleticism.
 
DCI Headquarters Open House Where: 110 W. Washington St., Suite C (Northwest corner of Illinois and Washington Streets, below Weber Grill) When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Admission: Free and open to the public About: Stop on by and have a chat with Drum Corps International employees while taking a tour through the brand new DCI corporate headquarters in downtown Indianapolis.
 
Lucas Oil Stadium "Backstage" Experience Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (meet Missouri St. Loading Dock on west side of stadium), 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 3:30 p.m. ET Admission: Free with ticket to the World Class Finals About: Feel the anticipation and excitement a corps member does right before heading into competition during this backstage tour of Lucas Oil Stadium, which will take you from the stadium entrance tunnel out onto the field.
 
World Class Finals Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis When: 5:30 p.m. ET Admission: Tickets starting at $35 About: See drum corps "best of the best" as the top 12 World Class corps battle for gold and all the glory associated with the World Championship title.
 
Super Fan and Alumni After Party Where: Slippery Noodle Inn, 372 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis When: Approximately 12:30 a.m. ET, following World Class Finals Admission: Free and open to DCI Super Fans About: DCI Super Fans will have the chance to indulge in great food and drinks while celebrating the excitement of the 2009 World Championships with friends new and old at the Super Fan and Alumni Party Headquarters, downtown Indy's prominent Slippery Noodle Inn. Learn more about becoming a DCI Super Fan.