Willie (l) and Jon Dee Graham Credit: Photo By Todd V. Wolfson

In Step

Last weekend’s Alvin Patterson Battle of the Bands, sponsored by the Eastside Story Foundation, brought some 9,000 people to Nelson Field to watch high-schoolers from Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee strut their stuff. The Leadership Louisiana band out of Baton Rouge took first place in both the overall and drumline categories, with the Memphis All-Star Band placing second and Austin All-City Band third. All the bands, including the Dallas-Fort Worth All Star Band (pictured), marched in Saturday’s Juneteenth parade, which drew 10,000 onlookers along its route from Disch-Falk Field to Rosewood Park. With the weekend such a success, event coordinator Derrick Norris wasn’t wasting any time getting ready for next year. “I’m working on the sponsorship letter right now,” he said Monday.

This article appears in June 24 • 2005.

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