IF YOU GOWhat: Southern Association for Performance Arts Championship.When: 7-11:30 p.m. today, 9:45 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday.Where: McKenzie Arena, corner of Fourth and Mabel streets.Admission: $15 (armband allows admission both days).Website: www.sapaonline.net.SCHEDULE OF LOCAL COMPETITORS• Cleveland Middle School Winter Guard, 7:58 tonight• Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School Winter Guard, 9:22 tonight• Cleveland High School Winter Guard, 10:35 tonight• Chattanooga Independent Drum Line, 3:44 p.m. Saturday
Members of 108 winter guards and percussion ensembles are converging on UTC’s McKenzie Arena today to compete for top honors at the Southern Association for Performance Arts Championship.
Winter guard is indoor color guard — all the precision drill and colorful choreography seen with fall’s marching season, only without the band. Units perform to taped accompaniment. At SAPA, winter guards will enhance their choreographed performances with flags, sabers, mock rifles, streamers and other colorful props.
Indoor drum lines march highly synchronized drills while playing creative, syncopated rhythms.
Every unit has nine minutes to get their floor mat down, set up, perform a routine that impresses not only judges but the crowd, remove their gear and leave the arena floor.