Come one, come all...for the Rounders season finale:  

this Saturday, March 31!

Meet 10:15 AM at Tropicana Field parking in Lot 6 or Lot 8. You will need a parking permit (free) to avoid paying Tropicana Field. These can be downloaded here (Rounders website).

Buses will leave by 10:30 AM. You must ride the buses please as parking and logistics at both events will be "tight."

The band performs at 12:30 in Bradenton near the "South Florida Museum" closer to 910 Fourth Avenue West (subject to change and update). Here's a link to the event including our performance: Seafood Fest. Event parking information can be found here for friends coming to listen! Seafood Festival parking.

After our performance, we will have till about 2:15 PM to walk the festival and have some lunch (on your own). Buses will leave at 2:15 PM for Gulfport.

In Gulfport we will offload near the Casino then play in front of the Casino at 3:30 PM. Buses will leave Gulport by 4:15 PM back to Tropicana Field and our season's ending party at Ferg's by 4:45 PM.

Bring all you music as we play, twirl, and dance our way to what is looking to be a wonderful day and an annual event! 

Much has been written on Facebook the past few days and lots of discussion back and forth about the Chasco Fiesta Parade and the light attendance. It might be the right time to bring this all into focus and move on as we continue to celebrate and play through our 30th year.

Each year early in the off season, the Creative Staff and Board of Directors spends considerable time in choosing the right mix and amount of performances which will provide a varied and fun experience for our members. We try to make sure they are spaced in a schedule that will be convenient for us, so as not to interfere with work, family or personal routine. That said, we are somewhat limited by when the festivals and parades are held, and thus make choices which benefit our purposes and schedule, so our members can assimilate the Rounders season into their lives. Thirty years' experience of trial and error has helped us fine tune the performance season. Regardless of what is decided, there will be those who think the season is too long, or too condensed...too many/few performances spaced apart, or too few/many too close together.

We start by limiting the musician's practices to five. We pick music that can be learned within those five practices. The auxiliary and drum line , on the other hand must have three more for a total of eight. They can't do any less if it is to be successful. This formula has been in effect for twenty years or longer. We don't intend to change this unless we have an appearance like Macy's or Calgary, etc.

Now, we can't control or dictate what you as an individual member view as your responsibility to the band. We all have our level of where the band fits into our personal lives, and that is how it should be. The beauty of our band is its diverse membership who somehow come together to make it all work.

There is never a performance or practice where there is 100% attendance. Work, illness, emergency, or something else comes along which keep folks from attending. No one can fault people for having to work in this economy or lying in bed sick instead of marching, etc. Putting this aside, and knowing we all have different ideas on how important a particular performance is, the real issue may be the end result....what do the Rounders look and sound like when 40% of folks who practiced all season suddenly don't show up for a performance? That equates to almost 100 members spread through every section. Not a lot of good comes from that kind of surprise.

Now is the time for us to put this behind us and enjoy the rest of the 30th anniversary season and the fun Saturday that awaits us with the Progressive Concerts. Let's put this discussion off till the season is over. We have too much to be excited about with the concerts Saturday and the TradeWinds weekend in May. Chasco aside, the band has looked and sounded as good as ever, and the new shirts are an irresistible magnet for the crowd.

Bill 

A beautiful result for our 30th Year! Thanks for enduring the "heat" during set-up and photography on the steps. Your 30th Anniversary Photo is available in 8X12 (a little wider size to accommodate our BIG Band!), mailed to your home, for just a $16.00 donation. Order now...shipment in early April. Please send your check made out to the "Second Time Arounders" to:

Lee Lafleur

5334 Las Flores Via

New Port Richey, FL 34655

Need multiple photos? Simply indicate how many! Help support your band and enjoy this beautiful Rounders keepsake photo ready to frame! 8x12 frames readily available at Amazon.com (use Rounders link above and to the right!). Larger prints available for additional donation (ask Lee).