Last night, with several thousand others, I attended The Washington Ballet’s performance of the Nutcracker.  While the show was very good, what most impressed me was their use of grassroots communications strategies to pack the house.

Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker has been entertaining audiences worldwide since 1892.   Each year, one can find multiple dance companies performing it in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  One reason is because The Nutcracker is a proven money maker.  Because many dance troupes rely on it for the bulk of their funding, strong ticket sales are vital.

Last night’s performance at the Warner Theater was packed, as were most of the 20+ performances.  How did they do it in a down economy?  Artistic Director Septime Webre will get much of the credit.  And The Washington Post’s stellar review certainly didn’t hurt.  Without a good product, no amount of marketing or salesmanship can help.

But I have a feeling that a grassroots marketing tactic is the real reason for the crowds.

Each year, The Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker relies on local schoolchildren to fill secondary roles.  From toy soldiers and mice to clowns, Chinese dancers and mushrooms, young dancers are constantly on stage.  And because they cannot perform their cameos in each performance, multiple dancers are needed for each role.  How many?  The program listed approximately 300 “Alternate Cast” members performing in this year’s Nutcracker.

Any idea who is filling all those seats?  Proud parents and siblings.  Beaming grandmothers and grandfathers.  Aunts, uncles and cousins.  Friends, neighbors and schoolmates.  Not to mention me and my family, who attended largely to see a friend’s daughter perform.

This is a real stroke of marketing genius.

The biggest challenge in grassroots marketing is engaging consumers.  By involving a large amateur cast, you automatically engage 300 dancers, their families and friends in the performance.  Not only do they each buy multiple tickets, they become “evangelicals” and spread the word in their community.  You just can’t buy that kind of advertising.

The end result?  A crowded house.  More specifically, if each “Alternate Cast” member is responsible for selling an additional 10 tickets (our little friend “sold” at least 14), that means an additional $150,000 in sales and invaluable word-of-mouth exposure about the performance.

Talk about a real Christmas present.

This is our next to last post choosing the best players at each position by jersey number. If you have quibbles, leave a comment and we’ll update this post. And please have patience – this is a big job.

We started this project with wide receivers in this post and then with tight ends in this post and quarterbacks in this post and running backs in this post and offensive linemen in this post and kickers/punters in this post and defensive linemen in this post. Now we move to linebackers, who can wear numbers in the 50s and the 90s with a few exceptions. If a number is omitted, it’s because no linebacker who has played this season wears those digits.

46 – Vinny Ciurciu, Lions – Ciurciu is the only linebacker currently wearing 46. He has played in six games this year, seeing most of his action on special teams. Now with his fourth team, Ciurciu also has a good locker-room nickname (see the bottom of the linked post).

47 – Brit Miller, 49ers – Miller is the only linebacker currently wearing 47. The rookie out of Illinois has played in two games this season.

49 – Zack Follett, Lions – Follett is the only linebacker currently wearing 49. The rookie out of Cal has played in nine games this year, mostly on special teams.

50 – Curtis Lofton, Falcons – Lofton, a second-year middle linebacker, has emerged as a tackle machine for the Falcons. His growth allowed the Dirty Birds to let stalwart Keith Brooking leave via free agency, and now it’s Lofton who will lead Atlanta’s defense for years to come. Lofton is tied for second in the NFL with 118 tackles. We give him the nod over OLB Mike Vrabel, who had great years in New England and is now a veteran leader in Kansas City. Other notable 50s: Russell Allen, Jaguars; James Anderson, Panthers; K.C. Asiodu, Rams; Antwan Barnes, Ravens; Eric Barton, Browns; Monty Beisel, Cardinals; Rocky Boiman, Steelers; Diyral Briggs, 49ers; Isaiah Ekejiuba, Raiders; Vernon Gholston, Jets; A.J. Hawk, Packers; Erin Henderson, Vikings; Lance Laury, Seahawks; Matt McCoy, Buccaneers; Marvin Mitchell, Saints; Rob Ninkovich, Patriots; Ernie Sims, Lions; David Thornton, Titans; Erik Walden, Dolphins; Philip Wheeler, Colts; Will Witherspoon, Eagles

51 – Barrett Ruud, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ruud has emerged as a do-everything middle linebacker for the Buccaneers, and he’s one of the few bright spots on the team’s defense. He’s fifth in the league with 113 tackles and also has six passes defensed. He gets the nod over Jonathan Vilma of New Orleans, who may be better in pass coverage. Also worth mentioning are long-time veterans Keith Brooking of Dallas, James Farrior of Pittsburgh, and Takeo Spikes of the 49ers; youngsters Jerod Mayo of the Patriots and Paul Posluszny of Buffalo; and injured Seahawks MLB Lofa Tatupu. Other notable 51s: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens; Akin Ayodele, Dolphins; Tim Diles, Chargers; Ryan Fowler, Jets; Tony Gilbert, Falcons; Alex Hall, Browns; Clint Ingram, Colts; Ben Leber, Vikings; Corey Mays, Chiefs; Joe Mays, Eagles; Gerald McRath, Titans; Brady Poppinga, Packers; Dan Skuta, Bengals; Chaun Thompson, Texans

52 – Ray Lewis, Ravens – This is a loaded number that features Pro Bowl-caliber linebackers in Carolina MLB Jon Beason, San Francisco MLB Patrick Willis, and Jets ILB David Harris, but Lewis gets the nod for his long, productive career that continues at a very high level. Other notable youngsters include rookie Clay Matthews of Green Bay, Kirk Morrison of Oakland, Daryl Smith of Jacksonville, and injured Browns ILB D’Qwell Jackson. Other notable 52s: Xavier Adibi, Texans; Eric Alexander, Patriots;  Michael Boley, Giants; Cody Brown, Cardinals; Jonathan Casillas, Saints; Channing Crowder, Dolphins; Chris Draft, Bills; Larry English, Chargers; Cody Glenn, Colts; Chad Greenway, Vikings; David Herron, Chiefs; Abdul Hodge, Bengals; D.D. Lewis, Seahawks;  Rocky McIntosh, Redskins; Jamar Williams, Bears; Coy Wire, Falcons

53 – Keith Bulluck, Titans – Bulluck has long been the emotional leader of the Titans’ defense, and he remains a solid sideline-to-sideline player. His three interceptions tie him for the lead among linebackers, and his 10 passes defensed place him second at the position. He’s also among the top 10 in tackles for linebackers. That’s enough to give him the nod over Atlanta’s Mike Peterson, another long-time, solid performer. Other notable 53s: Marcus Buggs, Bills; Derrick Burgess, Patriots; Khary Campbell, Texans; Na’il Diggs, Panthers; Moise Fokou, Eagles; Clark Haggans, Cardinals; James Holt, Chargers; Thomas Howard, Raiders; Larry Izzo, Jets; Rashad Jeanty, Bengals; Bryan Kehl, Giants; Niko Koutouvides, Buccaneers; Paris Lenon, Rams; Jameel McClain, Ravens; Tyrone McKenzie, Patriots; Steve Octavien, Cowboys; Nick Roach, Bears; Matt Roth, Browns; Mark Simoneau, Saints; Bryan Smith, Jaguars; Reggie Torbor, Dolphins; Jeff Ulbrich, 49ers; Demorrio Williams, Chiefs

54 – Andra Davis, Broncos – This number lost its stalwart when Brian Urlacher of Chicago was knocked out for the season. So among a group of solid if unspectacular inside linebackers, we’ll give Davis the nod for his contributions (72 tackles, 3.5 sacks) in reinvigorating the Denver defense. Other contenders were Chargers ILB Stephen Cooper and Titans MLB Stephen Tulloch. Other notable 54s: H.B. Blades, Redskins; Jasper Brinkley, Vikings; Prescott Burgess, Ravens; Bobby Carpenter, Cowboys; Brandon Chillar, Packers; Blake Costanzo, Browns; Kenwin Cummings, Jets; Zac Diles, Texans; Troy Evans, Saints; Andre Frazier, Steelers; Jonathan Goff, Giants; Nic Harris, Bills; Geno Hayes, Buccaneers; Gerald Hayes, Cardinals; Will Herring, Seahawks; Freddie Keiaho, Colts; DeAndre Levy, Lions; Stephen Nicholas, Falcons; Jeremiah Trotter, Eagles; Tracy White, Eagles; Sam Williams, Raiders

55 – Terrell Suggs, Ravens – This is a tough call, because Suggs has just 3.5 sacks this season and has missed three games. But on the whole, he’s the most complete linebacker at this position, because he can be a dynamite pass rusher and also do well against the run and in coverage. I’d rather have Suggs that Miami OLB Joey Porter, who has eight sacks thus far this season, or Chicago’s playmaking WLB Lance Briggs, who stars in the featured position in the old Tampa 2 defense the Bears run. Other solid vets wearing 55 include Detroit’s Larry Foote and Denver’s D.J. Williams, while youngsters Clint Session of Indianapolis and James Laurinaitis of St. Louis deserve mention as well. Other notable 55s: Jon Alston, Raiders; Patrick Bailey, Steelers; Desmond Bishop, Packers; Alvin Bowen, Redskins; Stewart Bradley, Eagles; Ahmad Brooks, 49ers; Danny Clark, Giants; Dan Connor, Panthers; Scott Fujita, Saints; Stephen Hodge, Cowboys; Kawika Mitchell, Bills; Kenny Onatolu, Vikings; Keith Rivers, Bengals; Justin Rogers, Chiefs; Junior Seau, Patriots; Reggie Walker, Cardinals; Jamaal Westerman, Jets

56 – Brian Cushing, Texans – It’s hard to imagine giving a rookie like Cushing the honor at a highly populated number like this one, but Cushing has earned it. He’s sixth among linebackers with 116 tackles and also has 2.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and a safety. That’s huge impact that earns him the nod over Shawne Merriman of San Diego, who isn’t the same after last season’s knee injury, pass-rushing stud LaMarr Woodley of Pittsburgh, and solid all-around players Nick Barnett of Green Bay and Bradie James of Dallas. Other notable 56s: Colin Allred, Titans; Charlie Anderson, Dolphins; Robert Ayers, Broncos; Quinton Culbertson, Panthers; Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Saints; Justin Durant, Jaguars; Keith Ellison, Bills; Tavares Gooden, Ravens; Tyjuan Hagler, Colts; E.J. Henderson, Vikings; Leroy Hill, Seahawks; Derrick Johnson, Chiefs; Akeem Jordan, Eagles; Kaluka Maiava, Browns; Scott McKillop, 49ers; David Nixon, Raiders; Chike Okeafor, Cardinals; Rod Wilson, Buccaneers

57 – Bart Scott, Jets – New Jets head coach Rex Ryan brought Scott with him from Baltimore as a high-dollar free agent to be the emotional leader and scheme expert in the middle of Gang Green’s defense. Scott has played fine for the Jets, but over the year it’s been fellow ILB David Harris who has emerged as a top-tier player. Still, Scott gets the nod over veteran Dhani Jones of Cincinnati and David Hawthorne, who’s having a terrific season as a fill-in starter at middle linebacker for Seattle. Other notable 57s: Stanley Arnoux, Saints; Kevin Bentley, Texans; Chase Blackburn, Giants; Ricky Brown, Raiders; Victor Butler, Cowboys; Chris Chamberlain, Saints; Jon Corto, Bills; Jordon Dizon, Lions; Keyaron Fox, Steelers; Chris Gocong, Eagles; Mario Haggan, Broncos; Adam Hayward, Buccaneers; Jordan Senn, Panthers; David Veikune, Browns; Matt Wilhelm, 49ers

58 – Karlos Dansby, Cardinals – It’s hard to imagine a better physical specimen at outside linebacker than Dansby, who is a leader on a strong Cardinals defense. He gets the nod over Gary Brackett, an undersized middle linebacker at the heart of the Colts defense. Other notable 58s: Marcus Benard, Browns; Quincy Black, Buccaneers; Thomas Davis, Panthers; Marques Harris, Chargers; Robert Henson, Redskins; Rey Maualuga, Bengals; Slade Norris, Raiders; Antonio Pierce, Giants; Scott Shanle, Saints; Tim Shaw, Bears; David Vobora, Rams; Jason Williams, Cowboys; Pierre Woods, Patriots

59 – London Fletcher, Redskins - Fletcher doesn’t have ideal size, but year after year he is a leader, a reliable tackler, and a playmaker, no matter what team he’s playing for. He’s a great success story as an undrafted player. He gets the nod over Julian Peterson of Detroit and DeMeco Ryans of Houston. Other notable 59s: Spencer Adkins, Falcons; Jovan Belcher, Chiefs; Angelo Crowell, Buccaneers; Aaron Curry, Seahawks; Dannell Ellerbe, Ravens; Heath Farwell, Vikings; Larry Grant, Rams; Gary Guyton, Patriots; Ramon Humber, Colts; Brian Iwuh, Jaguars; Brandon Johnson, Bengals; Landon Johnson, Panthers; Brad Jones, Packers; Cato June, Bears; Stanford Keglar, Titans; Ashlee Palmer, Bills; Brandon Siler, Chargers; Pisa Tinoisamoa, Bears; Gerris Wilkerson, Giants; Brandon Williams, Cowboys; Wesley Woodyard, Broncos

74 – Aaron Kampman, Packers – Kampman, who moved from defensive end to outside ‘backer this season as Green Bay implemented a 3-4 defense, kept his old D-lineman number. Kampman didn’t have a great transition season, with just 3.5 sacks in nine games before suffering a season-ending injury. But he’s still a good player, and he’s the only linebacker wearing 74, so he merits a mention.

90 - No linebackers wearing 90 have played a game this season.

91 – Tamba Hali, Chiefs - Hali is emerging as a solid pass rusher in Kansas City, with 7.5 sacks thus far this season. He gets the nod at this number over Cameron Wake, Miami’s CFL import who has 5.5 sacks in his first NFL season.

92 – Elvis Dumervil, Broncos - In one of the toughest calls of this whole project, we’re going with Dumervil, the NFL leader with 15 sacks, over 2008 Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison of Pittsburgh. Both guys play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, and both add the fright factor to their respective defenses. But while Harrison may be a better player in pass coverage, Dumervil is having a defensive player of the year caliber campaign in Denver, and so for 2009 we have to opt for him. Other notable 92s: Bertrand Berry, Cardinals; Hunter Hillenmeyer, Bears

93 – Anthony Spencer, Cowboys - Spencer has been a disappointment at outside ‘backer since the Cowboys made him a first-round pick three years ago, but as a full-time player he gets the nod over Jason Trusnik, who has moved into the starting lineup in Cleveland after a midseason trade from the Jets.

94 – DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys – Ware is a preeminent pass rusher with nine sacks this year and 62.5 in five seasons so far. Also deserving mention is Lawrence Timmons, an emerging inside ‘backer for the Steelers. Other notable 94s: Arnold Harrison, Browns; Marques Murrell, Jets; Jyles Tucker, Chargers

95 – Shaun Phillips, Chargers - In a close call, the nod here goes to Phillips, a pass-rushing outside ‘backer who has seven sacks for San Diego, over Cleveland OLB Kamerion Wimbley, who has 6.5 sacks. The six fumbles Phillips has forced was the determining factor. We’ll also shout out to Baltimore’s Jarret Johnson, another emerging pass-rusher. Other notable 95s: Tully Banta-Cain, Patriots; Ali Highsmith, Cardinals

96 – David Bowens, Browns – Bowens came with Eric Mangini from the Jets to Cleveland. He has long been an above-average pass-rushing outside ‘backer, and he has five sacks in that role this season. He gets the nod over declining Patriot Adalius Thomas. Other notable 96s: Omar Gaither, Eagles; Andy Studebaker, Chiefs

97 – Calvin Pace, Jets – Pace missed the first four games of the season due to a performance-enhancing drug suspension, but since returning he has continued to provide pass rush off the edge with six sacks. Other notable 97s: Clint Sintim, Giants; Pierre Walters, Chiefs

98 – Brian Orakpo, Redskins – Orakpo, Washington’s first-round pick, has 11 sacks in his rookie season, including four last week against Oakland. That’s the kind of defensive jolt Washington was hoping for when it drafted him. Other notable 98s: Shawn Crable, Patriots; Parys Haralson, 49ers; Darrell McClover, Bears

99 – Jason Taylor, Dolphins – Taylor spent most of his career as a 4-3 defensive end, but he has seamlessly made the transition to a 3-4 outside linebacker over the last few years. After a slow season in his one campaign in Washington, Taylor has six sacks this year for Miami, giving him 126.5 in his 13-year career. Other notable 99s: Kevin Burnett, Chargers; Paul Kruger, Ravens; Manny Lawson, 49ers; Bryan Thomas, Jets; Jeremy Thompson, Packers

Mais uma banda muita boa que por motivos que eu desconheço, é pouco popular. Talvez o vocalista de metal que eu mais gosto, Russell Allen dispensa comentários; basta ouvir uma faixa para perceber o inegável talento. Michael Romeo por trás de todas as músicas desse disco – além de outros componentes da banda -  e na guitarra (o vídeo fala por si), Michael Pinnella nos teclados, Michael Lepond no baixo e Jason Rullo na batera. A banda é normalmente caracterizada como metal progressivo e, especialmente nesse disco, lançado em 2002, traz uma sonoridade agressiva. Precisa ser ouvido pelo menos uma vez por qualquer um que julgue gostar de metal. Para não dizer que eu só falo bem, eis uma crítica: em meados de abril desse ano, a banda marcou um show aqui em Salvador para outubro e esse show foi desmarcado (como eu suspeitei desde o princípio, era muito bom pra ser verdade). Sim, uma grande (em qualidade, não em fama) banda de metal viria pra Salvador. Uma “curiosidade”: a última faixa é baseada no épico Odisséia, de Homero. Por meu inglês não ser muito bom, não costumo me apegar à letra e apesar de levar em conta, não costumo recomendar os discos por esse critério.

Segue a lista das faixas do disco com link em algumas delas.

1. Inferno (Unleash the Fire)

2. Wicked

3. Incantations of the Apprentice

4. Accolade II

5. King of Terrors

6. The Turning

7. Awakenings

8. The Odyssey

- Part I: Odysseus’ Theme / Overture

- Part II: Journey to Ithaca

- Part III: The Eye

- Part IV: Circe (Daughter of the Sun)

- Part V: Sirens

- Part VI: Scylla and Charybdis

- Part VII: The Fate of The Suitors / Champion of Ithaca

Bear with me I am going to attempt to put together a list of prospects that are being invited to Halas Hall for further review beyond just their Pro-Day and combine evaluations. The list will be a constant work in progress and I can promise it won’t be 100% accurate because lists like these are kept pretty quiet for the most part. Some information has been leaked so I’ll attempt to keep a running tab on who is coming and who has been here. The Bears are allowed 30 private workout visits per draft scouting period and are currently at 20.

If there is any player that I missed that you have heard is coming to visit Halas Hall feel free to share you comment in the comment section of this blog post.

Updated April 1st to include WR Mohammed Massaquoi and OL Lance Louis
Updated April 2nd to include WR Derek Kinder
Updated April 4th to include WR Juaqin Iglesias, DB Sherrod Martin, DB Anthony Scirrotto, DT John Gill, WR Brian Robiskie
Updated April 5th to include RB Aaron Brown DB Ellis Lankstser
O-Lineman

Rich Ornberger
Phil Loadholt
Eben Britton
TJ Lang
Lance Louis
Louis Saucedo
Dennis Conley
Mark Lewis

RBs

Aaron Brown
Ellis Lankster

WRs/TE

Hakeem Nicks
Kenny Britt
Brian Hartline
Taurus Johnson
Brandon Myers
Jason Chery
Brandon Gibson
Mike Wallace
Mohammed Massaquoi
Derek Kinder
Juaquin Iglesias
Brian Robiskie
Julian Edelman

QB

Todd Boeckman

D-Lineman

Henry Melton
Jamaal Westerman
John Gill

LBs

Maurice Crum
Nathan Williams
Russell Allen

DBs

Michael Mitchell
Al Afalava
Anthony Scirrotto
Sherrod Martin

Inspired by Steven Jay Schneider’s book “1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die”

# 985
Artist: Star One
Title: Space Metal
Year: 2002

This album I believe was the first I heard by the Dutch multiinstrumentalist Arjen Anthony Lucassen. In my opinion it is a pretty good place to start.  The music can be describe as melodic and straightforward metal with its roots in the 1970s.

Nearly all the songs are based on science fiction movies situated in space and for some that might sound a little corny and be a turn off… But if you like heavy rock this might be an album for you.

The album features some very heavy guitarriffs and spacey keyboards all backed up by some thunderous and very impressive drumming from Ed Warby, Lucassen’s drummer of choice for the last years.

After having listened to this album for a while I bought some of the other releases from Lucasen. He has produced some incredible progressive rock under the name Ayreon and I can recommend anyone of them.

The Star One project features some very impressive vocal contributions from the singers Russell Allen, Dan Swanö, Damian Wilson, Robert Soeterboek and Floor Jansen.

If you like your rock heavy and your science fiction, you can check which movies were used as inspiration for the different songs go here.

Preciosa canción de la banda de New Jersey. Pertenece a su segundo disco de estudio llamado ”The Damnation Game” de 1996. Por supuesto totalmente recomendado.

Como curiosidad, este fue el primer disco que grabó con la banda el magnífico cantante Russell Allen y el resultado no podía ser mejor.

In other news: Hell freezes over and scientists discover that you actually CAN divide by zero.  The Aztecs avoid their first season without a conference win.

AZTECS 42 REBELS 21

I am really happy that the seniors, especially Russell Allen and Corey Boudreaux, got to finish their college careers with a big win. I’m sure both will be playing on NFL rosters next season. Allen had 8 tackles. Boudreaux had 7 tackles and a 83 yard interception return for a touchdown that sealed the win. Junior Luke Laolagi had 12 tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, and 1 Interception. The Aztecs had nothing to play for and the Rebels had everything to play for, needing a win to be bowl eligible. The Aztecs showed that they had more heart than the Rebels, winning their fourth straight over UNLV.

Redshirt Freshman Quarterback Ryan Lindley continued to impress with 387 Passing Yards and 2 Touchdowns agaisnt Zero Interceptions for a 148.2 NCAA Passer Rating. Sophomore Reciever Vincent Brown had 8 catches for 119 yards. Running back Atiyah Henderson caught 5 passes 55 yards with touchdown and added 64 yards on the ground. QB/Reciever Darren Mougey also had a rushing TD taking a direct snap at QB. Check Goaztecs.com for the full stats.

Overall, this was an inspiring game for the seniors. While they finished the season at 2-10, it was great to go out with a win over a team that needed a win to make the postseason. We didn’t just give up or roll over, we played with heart and beat a team that probably had more talent than us. We will be losing our best defensive players to the NFL next season, but hopefully we can heal up all of our injured players and come out next season using this game as inspiration and win some ball games.

Russell Allen + Jorn Lande

If you’re like me, you like rock and metal, but you’re tired of all the same sounding tracks that most American bands face today. In response, I turn to a duet album featuring Jersey’s Russell Allen, and the storm-voiced Norwegian metal master Jorn Lande.

Unlike most traditional metal you might like, both Allen and Lande have a very methodical approach to the genre and many of their projects have been labeled “Power Metal” or “Melodic Metal” since shredding guitars take a backseat to their powerful voices and overlaying rhythms and sounds that rise above all the mediocre radio play you’ve ever heard.

This may sound wild, fanboyish and sensationalist to any mainstream rock or metal listener that is reading this. I assure you that the production values and vocal quality demonstrated on this album are far above anything I’ve heard in today’s scene in the same genre.

For only 7.99 available on iTunes or Amazon MP3, this is a great bargain and I can’t recommend the album enough.