Disappointing behavior by DJ at Spanish Springs town square

[mraines]

I have lived here for 3 years and greatly enjoy dancing at the town squares. I have made many friends and acquaintances there. Last night, I was very disappointed to see the DJ display extremely poor judgement. There are a couple of men who frequent this square and slow dance together on occasion. They are nice people and it has never been a problem. Last night, in the middle of a slow dance, the DJ switched to a very loud, fast dance. It seemed obvious to some of us, that the reason he did this was that he objected to the 2 gentlemen dancing together. It was disruptive to everyone who was dancing, in very poor taste, hurtful and uncomfortable for everyone there. The music became very loud, I assume to cover up the verbal altercations. The DJ and sound man seemed to deny this was done intentionally, but there seemed to be no other reason for the change in music. No apologies were made publicly or privately that I am aware of. I will not go to any square that this DJ is performing at again. I sincerely hope that he looks inside himself and becomes more tolerant of others. I felt this left a very bad impression on our guests.

[Bogie Shooter]

I have lived here for 3 years and greatly enjoy dancing at the town squares. I have made many friends and acquaintances there. Last night, I was very disappointed to see the DJ display extremely poor judgement. There are a couple of men who frequent this square and slow dance together on occasion. They are nice people and it has never been a problem. Last night, in the middle of a slow dance, the DJ switched to a very loud, fast dance. It seemed obvious to some of us, that the reason he did this was that he objected to the 2 gentlemen dancing together. It was disruptive to everyone who was dancing, in very poor taste, hurtful and uncomfortable for everyone there. The music became very loud, I assume to cover up the verbal altercations. The DJ and sound man seemed to deny this was done intentionally, but there seemed to be no other reason for the change in music. No apologies were made publicly or privately that I am aware of. I will not go to any square that this DJ is performing at again. I sincerely hope that he looks inside himself and becomes more tolerant of others. I felt this left a very bad impression on our guests.

You should express your feelings to The Villages Entertainment, 1070 CANAL STREET, THE VILLAGES, FL 32162 | 352-750-5411

[mumbi2]

I was there also and found the DJ"s behavior extremely rude and offensive to these two nice people. I also will never go to a square where he is playing.

[alwann]

So, who was the DJ?

Not saying you're wrong. I wasn't there. But your post contains a lot of assumptions. Mixing beats and tempos is what DJs do. If he did it only once -- when two guys were dancing -- your point is valid.

[mumbi2]

They were dancing!

[Bonny]

The DJ was Bobby Iavo. In order for him to turn the sound up, he would have to tell the sound man to do it. So they must have been in cahoots to change the song, tempo and sound because 2 guys were dancing. Hmmmmm.....

[Kahuna32162]

Disgusting and homophobic behavior, this guy is hired to entertain, not pass his own judgement on someone else's choice. IMHO he should never be hired again to "spin records" in any of the Villages squares. I'm very glad I was not there to see this, I would have made something of it.

[Kahuna32162]

I will never eat at that restaurant again, never visit that store again, never, never!
Does that make the complaint more valid?

No, it just says that we have a choice and we will choose not to go to the square if this "DJ" is working. That's all, no blanket statement, just expressing our choice.

[graciegirl]

Are you sure? Are you really sure that it was meant to single out the homosexual couple or it just happened coincidentally.

[Bonny]

My guess is this had nothing to do with 2 guys dancing. All of the bands, singers, etc. will go from one song to another. From a fast to a slow. DJ's usually have things already preset on their computer as to the order of songs. It could have even been a glitch in one of the songs. I doubt it had anything to do with the 2 guys.

[sschallon]

I was at the Spanish springs square last night when this happened and it was obvious to me that the dj did this on purpose. he showed no respect for these 2 men or anyone else that was at the square.and he wasn't trying to mix music. the dj was bobby lavo and I think he should be banned from the villages. I know I wont be going to any of his shows

[Kahuna32162]

If their just playing songs on their computers, why do we call them entertainers?

[Kahuna32162]

I was at the Spanish springs square last night when this happened and it was obvious to me that the dj did this on purpose. he showed no respect for these 2 men or anyone else that was at the square.and he wasn't trying to mix music. the dj was bobby lavo and I think he should be banned from the villages. I know I wont be going to any of his shows

Not really gossip if 2 people, who were there, witnessed the same thing and came away with the same opinion.

[rubicon]

Well this thread adds another reason I will stay away from town squares

[sschallon]

why does it matter if this is someones first post here. what matters is a lot of people who saw what happened were upset.so much so that the police were called in. If it was a mix up with the equipment then they should of announced it.and they knew the crowd was very upset

[gerryann]

why does it matter if this is someones first post here. what matters is a lot of people who saw what happened were upset.so much so that the police were called in. If it was a mix up with the equipment then they should of announced it.and they knew the crowd was very upset

what were the police called for? or...huh? what are you saying happened?

[Bonny]

why does it matter if this is someones first post here. what matters is a lot of people who saw what happened were upset.so much so that the police were called in. If it was a mix up with the equipment then they should of announced it.and they knew the crowd was very upset
The police were called for what ? Going to the next song ?

[sschallon]

some people were yelling at the dj. others confronting the soundman and letting them know that what they did was wrong.people were very upset

[gerryann]

some people were yelling at the dj. others confronting the soundman and letting them know that what they did was wrong.people were very upset

so, some immature people were upset that the DJ and sound man changed the song? and police were called? really???

[manaboutown]

Were they called to calm down the crowd or police the DJ?

[golf2140]

My guess is this had nothing to do with 2 guys dancing. All of the bands, singers, etc. will go from one song to another. From a fast to a slow. DJ's usually have things already preset on their computer as to the order of songs. It could have even been a glitch in one of the songs. I doubt it had anything to do with the 2 guys.

Bonnie,

The voice of reason, as always. :024:

[Jima64]

Do djs do this when women dance together closely or does this happen when men dance together. I was not there but I would love to see the square full of male couples dancing together wherever this dj works. Maybe someone in the audience objected to them.

[missypie]

Maybe the DJ should have been asked to play Y.M.C.A. by The Village People to keep everybody happy.

I was there last night when they played YMCA.

[rubicon]

Maybe the DJ should have been asked to play Y.M.C.A. by The Village People to keep everybody happy.

Agree

[Moderator]

All posts not directly addressing the OP topic will be removed. There were a number of posts accusing the OP and several other newer posters of being plants or trolls. In computer forums this can happen, however, unless or until there are facts or proof that a post is contrived, we allow it to stand on its own merits.

Using tools at our disposal, we see nothing to prove the OP and others are anything other than what they have claimed.

Please continue on with the topic. Any other posts, including those that quote or respond to this one, will be removed.

Moderator

[jimmemac]

too many assumptions by too many people who need to grow up!

[mraines]

As I said before, I go almost every night and have never seen a dj change the music in the middle of a slow song like that before. He also made no attempt that I could see to try to talk to the 2 men involved or anyone else. Not sure who called the police, but they were there as well and also not pleasant. All of my experiences at the squares have been very positive but not last night. Sorry, I think it was intentional.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The DJ was Bobby Iavo. In order for him to turn the sound up, he would have to tell the sound man to do it. So they must have been in cahoots to change the song, tempo and sound because 2 guys were dancing. Hmmmmm.....

That's not true. A person on the stage usually has the ability to turn up the sound.

[justjim]

why does it matter if this is someones first post here. what matters is a lot of people who saw what happened were upset.so much so that the police were called in. If it was a mix up with the equipment then they should of announced it.and they knew the crowd was very upset


What was the reaction of the two male dancers to the change in music? Did they say anything to others or to the DJ? What did the police do when they got there?

[redwitch]

If I understand the OP correctly, this was not going on to the next song. It was deliberately cutting one song short and starting another one. If this was the case and it was obvious to Al. There that it was done because a gay couple was dancing together, then the DJ's actions were morally reprehensible. If it was close to the end of the slow song, it could have been inadvertent and should be forgiven.

I wasn't there and don't know the facts but from the sound of things, it probably was good that I wasn't present. I do have a tendency to stand up and shout when I see bigotry in action.

[graciegirl]

If I understand the OP correctly, this was not going on to the next song. It was deliberately cutting one song short and starting another one. If this was the case and it was obvious to Al. There that it was done because a gay couple was dancing together, then the DJ's actions were morally reprehensible. If it was close to the end of the slow song, it could have been inadvertent and should be forgiven.

I wasn't there and don't know the facts but from the sound of things, it probably was good that I wasn't present. I do have a tendency to stand up and shout when I see bigotry in action.







I want to know why the police were called. Police are not called usually unless someone is out of hand. Who? Why? What? When" How?

[gerryann]

Can you please answer what the police were doing there? And what did they do? Was anyone arrested? What did the two male dancers do when this was all going on? Did they stop dancing? Did folks go to their defense.....for whatever needed defending?

[gerryann]

Gracie, I believe our posts posted together.....

[Lovey2]

If I understand the OP correctly, this was not going on to the next song. It was deliberately cutting one song short and starting another one. If this was the case and it was obvious to Al. There that it was done because a gay couple was dancing together, then the DJ's actions were morally reprehensible. If it was close to the end of the slow song, it could have been inadvertent and should be forgiven.

I wasn't there and don't know the facts but from the sound of things, it probably was good that I wasn't present. I do have a tendency to stand up and shout when I see bigotry in action.

Me, too, so it's hard to determine, but it seems like at least 3 people, totally unrelated to each other, felt the same way...that it was an intentional act. That leads me to believe that it WAS done intentionally. As far as the police go, apparently there was enough hostility/confusion/dismay/whatever that a ruckus of some sort ensued. If a DJ causes a ruckus among the very crowd he has been paid to entertain, methinks he shouldn't be asked to play anymore.

[Loudoll]

Gracie, I believe our posts posted together.....

..tsk tsk two females posting together :police:

[graciegirl]

I have treasured friends who are gay and treasured friends who are straight.


Do I agree with them all of the time, on everything? NO.


I am tired of people trying to stir up trouble over issues not related to a person's sexuality. Obviously there was trouble, or perceived trouble.


Sometimes people are hypersensitive. I am sometimes, to the word, retarded. But you cannot convince me that hating is right, no matter what side you are on.


A meek answer turneth away all wrath.


And getting your knickers in a hitch over something doesn't sell your idea or your values. Self righteous is ugly on both sides.

[FunwithTom]

I do not call it immature if people were protesting the fact that neighbors were being discriminated against. As residents they should be allowed to participate in TV activities of their choosing. The DJ is being paid to mind his own business.

[gerryann]

I do not call it immature if people were protesting the fact that neighbors were being discriminated against. As residents they should be allowed to participate in TV activities of their choosing. The DJ is being paid to mind his own business.

Welcome to TOTV FunwithTom, I guess we're all just wondering what all the fuss was about....so much that police were called. I wasn't there. Were you? Maybe you could help us understand. If a song was stopped in the middle, simply to stop certain folks from dancing...it was a planned activity. Would a DJ really go to that much trouble? I doubt it.

[mraines]

It is my understanding that the sound man called the police. Not sure why. One of the men was upset and yelling at the dj. Several of us came to voice our discontent. No one became physical so I don't know why the police were called. When they arrived, the officer said it was not a police matter but a villages matter. But for some reason, they seemed to hang around. He also was rude to one of the men and when I mentioned to him that I thought he was rude, he more or less told me to get lost.

[graciegirl]

It is my understanding that the sound man called the police. Not sure why. One of the men was upset and yelling at the dj. Several of us came to voice our discontent. No one became physical so I don't know why the police were called. When they arrived, the officer said it was not a police matter but a villages matter. But for some reason, they seemed to hang around. He also was rude to one of the men and when I mentioned to him that I thought he was rude, he more or less told me to get lost.



Thank you for the explanation.

[Fraugoofy]

I have lived here for 3 years and greatly enjoy dancing at the town squares. I have made many friends and acquaintances there. Last night, I was very disappointed to see the DJ display extremely poor judgement. There are a couple of men who frequent this square and slow dance together on occasion. They are nice people and it has never been a problem. Last night, in the middle of a slow dance, the DJ switched to a very loud, fast dance. It seemed obvious to some of us, that the reason he did this was that he objected to the 2 gentlemen dancing together. It was disruptive to everyone who was dancing, in very poor taste, hurtful and uncomfortable for everyone there. The music became very loud, I assume to cover up the verbal altercations. The DJ and sound man seemed to deny this was done intentionally, but there seemed to be no other reason for the change in music. No apologies were made publicly or privately that I am aware of. I will not go to any square that this DJ is performing at again. I sincerely hope that he looks inside himself and becomes more tolerant of others. I felt this left a very bad impression on our guests.
I applaud the OP for her/his open mind and caring attitude. All Villagers should be treated with respect, no matter what their color, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age! Thank you for posting (first time or not!).

[gerryann]

Sounds to me like there's a whole lot more to this story....especially if the sound man was the one calling police. If the DJ and or sound man were being yelled at maybe others were at fault......like dancers.

I know...none of my business....but if the DJ is being called a bigot before knowing what happened...it's just wrong.

[graciegirl]

I wonder what happened exactly. I have been present when one couple was slow dancing and the band switched to a faster song to get more people out on the dance floor.


I have been present when a straight couple were slow dancing, full of booze and acting a little too sexy and somewhat inappropriate. (a please rent a room occasion for the rest of us).


I have been present when a straight person had a snootfull and hollered something snotty at the bandstand. ARE YOU SURE it was ONLY because the couple was gay this happened????? Something makes me feel that we aren't getting the WHOLE story.

If anyone would be experienced in "seeing it all" and having to overlook a lot of unusual human behavior, it would be entertainers that every night witnessed a bunch of drunk people.

[gerryann]

I applaud the OP for her/his open mind and caring attitude. All Villagers should be treated with respect, no matter what their color, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age! Thank you for posting (first time or not!).

How do you know who was or was not treated with respect? Sounds to me like the DJ was being treated badly.....unless you were there and know more? This whole thing is ridiculous since no one knows what happened.

[Bonny]

I don't think people were treated with respect. There's people yelling at the DJ and the Soundman. Why not wait til the DJ takes a break and ask. Why not just go to the soundman and ask. Nope, gotta yell and then and get nasty. Definitely no respect shown.

[Fraugoofy]

How do you know who was or was not treated with respect? Sounds to me like the DJ was being treated badly.....unless you were there and know more? This whole thing is ridiculous since no one knows what happened.
What I said was all people SHOULD be treated with respect regardless. So the men dancing should be treated with respect as well as the DJ. Since they are all people they should be treated kindly. It's a general rule I think people SHOULD learn to follow...

[thelegges]

After reading this thread, it seems that the op is stating a concern about an event that they were attending. I find it refreshing that op was concerned for another fellow villager.

[rubicon]

Methinks this thread is not going to be the end of this story but the beginning of many such stories . Two people caught in the act at Market Square, drunks mauling each other on the dance floor, etc etc etc doesn't make the public squares inviting and it certainly does harm to The Village brand.

[outlaw]

TV is turning into a PC Nazi camp. Now a DJ, based on a suspicion, is labeled a homophobe with calls for banishment from TV. Next up for persecution; Christians in the square.

[Villager Joyce]

TV is turning into a PC Nazi camp. Now a DJ, based on a suspicion, is labeled a homophobe with calls for banishment from TV. Next up for persecution; Christians in the square.

You are probably closer to the truth than I wish to think about.

[mraines]

Well, my previous post was censored for some reason. Yet, it seems you are calling me a Nazi and that is ok. I have no problem with homophobes as long as they don't offend others and I have no problem with Christians but I think many of them don't act Christ like. And I have no problem with gays and lesbians. We should all be allowed to live our lives to the fullest as long as we are not hurting anyone else.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Well, my previous post was censored for some reason. Yet, it seems you are calling me a Nazi and that is ok. I have no problem with homophobes as long as they don't offend others and I have no problem with Christians but I think many of them don't act Christ like. And I have no problem with gays and lesbians. We should all be allowed to live our lives to the fullest as long as we are not hurting anyone else.

Homophobes? People question what happened and they are homophobes?

[Lovey2]

OMG, People!! 3 people (so far) have attested to the fact that this was, at the very least, rude behavior by the DJ. Rather than, heaven forbid, think there may be something wrong with a "villages" entertainer, we'd rather blatantly call the OP a liar. Rather than "label" this entertainer, we "label" the OP as overreacting. She simply stated what she saw, it was confirmed by 2 others and yet people who weren't even there, wanna guess what it was all about. Sometimes, I just don't get it. Really....

[graciegirl]

OMG, People!! 3 people (so far) have attested to the fact that this was, at the very least, rude behavior by the DJ. Rather than, heaven forbid, think there may be something wrong with a "villages" entertainer, we'd rather blatantly call the OP a liar. Rather than "label" this entertainer, we "label" the OP as overreacting. She simply stated what she saw, it was confirmed by 2 others and yet people who weren't even there, wanna guess what it was all about. Sometimes, I just don't get it. Really....



Maybe because they were new posters many are skeptical. I don't think it has much to do with the "village entertainer". Or how people feel about a person's sexual preference.


It just seemed like we were missing part of the story. Did someone behave badly? Did the DJ and the entertainer behave badly? Did people jump to a conclusion? Was someone's perception of what happened altered by alcohol?

Two old drunks tongue kissing on the dance floor ain't pretty to most of us, no matter who they are.

[Lovey2]

Smh

[jimmemac]

OMG, People!! 3 people (so far) have attested to the fact that this was, at the very least, rude behavior by the DJ. Rather than, heaven forbid, think there may be something wrong with a "villages" entertainer, we'd rather blatantly call the OP a liar. Rather than "label" this entertainer, we "label" the OP as overreacting. She simply stated what she saw, it was confirmed by 2 others and yet people who weren't even there, wanna guess what it was all about. Sometimes, I just don't get it. Really....

Finally someone who gets it!!!

[jnieman]

I think we are quick to defend the DJ because his livelyhood is on the line here and the oldtimers on here don't put up with bashing unless they do a thorough questioning of the OP. This is a very serious charge against him. New posters are always suspect of having an axe to grind because it happens ALL THE TIME that they post the most outlandish things and then disappear. I still don't know even after all of the questioning who to believe on this one.

[Bonny]

I think we are quick to defend the DJ because his livelyhood is on the line here and the oldtimers on here don't put up with bashing unless they do a thorough questioning of the OP. This is a very serious charge against him. New posters are always suspect of having an axe to grind because it happens ALL THE TIME that they post the most outlandish things and then disappear. I still don't know even after all of the questioning who to believe on this one.
I don't think it's so much the first post for someone. It was a first post for 3 different people all posting at the same time bashing the DJ and the soundman who changed a song with a different tempo so they must be homophobic.

[thelegges]

Were they old, drunk and French kissing? If behavior was out of place and made others uncomfortable I would hope to see that post. But so far other than the 3 posters every post has been speculation on what transpired.