Planet Fitness “Judgement Free Band”

New Year’s Eve is an exciting time. But in New York City, the excitement is heightened as over a million people descend on Times Square for the Big Ball Drop. New York’s Times Square performs an annual confetti test a few days before the New Year’s celebration, where an estimated 1.5 TONS of confetti is dropped from the rooftops at Midnight every year. To accompany the 2016 test, a local New York drum line provided some awesome beats to pump up the crowd and get in some practice as they prepared for their performance at the biggest party of the year.

The Marching Cobras, an after-school music program based in New York, had been preparing their routine for months. In two days’ time, they would take the stage in front of millions at the Times Square celebration and put on an electrifying performance. The Marching Cobras would be representing Planet Fitness as the “Judgement Free Band” during the 2016 New Year’s party, sporting Band Shoppe custom uniforms.

SEE MORE: Watch the confetti test before New Year’s Eve 2016

The Marching Cobras are no strangers to Times Square. In 2014, they worked with the NFL to produce a spectacular performance during the Super Bowl 48 pregame presentation. In addition, the group lead the Vince Lombardi Trophy into MetLife stadium that year. They have also been in the movies, appearing in Birdman with actor Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, and Emma Stone, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2015.

Marching Cobras CEO, Terrel Stowers, began the non-profit organization in 2008 with a mission to enrich lives of youth by providing opportunities for artistic expression and leadership development through music, marching band, step, dance, and much more. Culturing teens through music and the performing arts, the staff takes pride in developing the lives of their members by helping them become responsible and respected members of society. The organization services the 5 boroughs of New York and the New York Tri-State area, with outreach programs in Connecticut and North Carolina. All with the hopes of improving the mindset and behaviors of the kids involved.

The organization offers several programs for students and parents to help prepare them for the challenges of life, while bringing families together. “There are transitional programs that we offer as far as job readiness. There are other options with parents coming to meetings and getting involved,” said Stowers.

As the Cobras organization continues to grow, Stowers looks to one day expand the reach of The Marching Cobras to other areas where togetherness and the lessons of music and dance education would impact communities in a positive way.

READ MORE: Learn about The Marching Cobras on their website

The Marching Cobras outfitted in Band Shoppe custom uniforms as the Planet Fitness "Judgement Free Band."

The Cobras have participated in some extraordinary opportunities over the organization’s 9-year existence. But performing on stage at Times Square for New Year’s 2016 would be the experience of a lifetime for current members.

Planet Fitness kicked off a new campaign New Year's Eve 2016 – “The World Judges, We Don't – At Planet Fitness, Be Free.” As the title sponsor of New Year’s Eve in Times Square, a concept was developed to give Planet Fitness their “halftime moment” by producing a New Year’s Eve show halfway through the night, leading up to the drop of the ball. With a Planet Fitness branded stage, they wanted to have a marching band come out and get the crowd amped before the final count down.  After several emails and phone calls, The Marching Cobras were signed to represent Planet Fitness and become the “Judgement Free Band” on their stage. The next question was, were do you get uniforms?

“Call Band Shoppe ASAP! Band Shoppe will get you quality uniforms,” Stowers told representatives with Civic Entertainment Group, A Seacrest Global Group Company.

READ MORE: View an Ad Age article about Planet Fitness campaign

Band Shoppe was contacted by Civic and was tasked to provide a unique, custom uniform that was in line with Planet Fitness, and would also look great worn by The Marching Cobras. The team at Band Shoppe quickly went into action to give them an excellent uniform worthy of the Planet Fitness brand.

“Band Shoppe was great and an absolute dream to work with! Planet Fitness has very distinct colors and Band Shoppe was able to match the uniform colors and the shako. You just really delivered!” said Tiffany Wagner of Civic Entertainment Group.

The Planet Fitness “Judgement Free Band” Custom Uniform Design Features:

• Pantone Matched Digitally Printed Fabric on Jacket: Get your school or group’s color match
• Sublimated Applique Patch on Back of Jacket: Print most anything onto a patch and apply it to the garment
• Custom Shako: Pantone Color Match with Jacket
• Side-Zipper: Non-standard Jacket Entry

Band Shoppe was honored to be a small part of the New Year’s festivities, working with Planet Fitness and Civic to provide quality, custom uniforms worn by The Marching Cobras for their performance. They looked great and the performance was amazing. But we also celebrate the work that Terrel Stowers is doing, providing communities with safe and healthy alternative activities for at-risk youth, while growing music and dance education, and fostering positive relationships.

SEE MORE: Watch The Marching Cobras perform on New Year’s Eve