Polka music in The Villages

[yorkmaine]

I love country and rock and roll music but I also love polka music, but for some reason we don't have the amount of polka bands in The Villages as we have in the past. When we have polka bands in the squares it is always very crowded and those fans should have their fun also.

[Talk Host]

Bill Flynn, is that you???????????

[Frangyomory]

There is a Polka Club and a Polish Club. Also two German Clubs. One of these should be of some help to you.

[REDCART]

On the Monday after Easter, Dingus Day in TV, there will be plenty of polka music.

[hockyb]

I share your your feelings re polka music. I have been in TV five months and have never seen a polka band advertised! I enjoy the OT music, whatever genre. Sadly, for me, this music which is part of my heritage is dying. Gone, even is the "American" Sunday night music in the park, with the old EJ Band. (If you know of Bill Flynn, you know what I am talking about.)

Well, I sort of solved my problem by organizing a "Deutsher" Band here in TV.

[dadspet]

I've heard that the villages is not hiring any polka bands for Square entertainment except for the upcoming Dingus day. They've cut back on entertainment money for the Squares and the entertainment / bands are now being hired by a local group that primarily books entertainment that they manage or belongs to their "association". Most good polka bands have to travel a fair distance to play in Fl. but Polka bands that have played here in the past can no longer get hired even when they are in the area. The Polka Lovers Club has tried hard to get more polka music in the Squares but their requests have fallen on very deaf ears. My wife and I dance a fair amount in the Squares (as well as at dance clubs) and it does seem that the quality of entertainment in the Squares has gone down especially on non vendor nights. This is kind sad since a primary reason for us buying here was the multitude of dancing opportunities (at Squares and dance Clubs) and frequent polka bands.

:spoken:

[Jane52]

It's true that the quality of bands has been slipping, especially on non-market nights. It's a good way to lose visitors, guests and prospective home buyers (thinking they'll see a band, and it is a DJ).

There's one band that played several times in Dec. (can't remember the band name) and every time, the female lead singer sang ABBA's "Dancing Queen" so flat, with the band dragging the tempo so dumpy that it was an embarrassment (thankfully we hadn't invited guests we've told all about the great bands). It was painful to listen to it. Each time my husband heard that song by that female singer he said "we're OUTA here....I can't take her singing off key all the time!!" By the look of the thin crowd, it looked as if many others had left too.

Dancing at the squares is one of the best offerings in TV and it is a unique way to meet new people and make new friends or meet up with long-time friends. Please, somebody, shape up the booking people!

[hockyb]

To my surprise I believe I saw an add in yesterday's Daily Sun for a polka band at LSL. Sadly the entertainment was cancelled because of the cold wx. I too was very disappointed by the lack polka and other folk music being performed on the squares. That said, there are a few groups which meet as clubs to play the older music.

As "dadspet" said "the quality of entertainment has gone down". Quality of entertainment to some means the genre...to others the "performance" and to others the "amplification"....and on and on. i.e. quality means different things to different people. I have noticed in the groups in which I play, there is a big emphasis on quality, that is, "perfectly" performed music.

[stadalberts]

While we do not yet live in the Villages, we live in nearby Citrus county, and we visit the area at least once a week. They used to have Polka bands on a regular basis at the town squares, but no longer. It also seems that the overall quality of the performers [in general] has slipped since we started going there 15 years ago, when there was only Spanish Springs. I spoke to quite a number of people regarding the availability of polka bands, and what I have mostly heard is that the Villages has "cheaped out" on spending for entertainment. As a lot of the Polka bands come from up north, {Chicago, Wisconsin, N.J.} it's a little more costly for them to travel down here, and apparently the Villages just will not spend the money to have these groups appear here. There was also a woman, who's name escapes me at the moment, that was the person in charge of bringing groups in and seemed to have a "bad taste" for Polka bands. No idea if that was true or not, just what I heard.
So I guess now they have some sort of outside organization that does the hiring for the town squares, and I guess like Disney and other entertainment medias, no one wants to spend any money for better quality entertainment. More $$ for the executives running these company's I guess. {Read Bob Iger}
Anyway, I suppose the Villages will no longer "do the right thing" and bring the Polkas back................I guess since the Gentleman who started the Villages is gone now, there is more thought for a bottom line than the customers. Too bad, really. :ohdear:

[2-crazy]

Reading about polka bands brought back memories of when I was a kid and we would go to the Polonia Grove in Chicago to enjoy beer and dance polkas all night. It was on Archer I believe, great place. Long time ago....

[graciegirl]

...

[graciegirl]

While we do not yet live in the Villages, we live in nearby Citrus county, and we visit the area at least once a week. They used to have Polka bands on a regular basis at the town squares, but no longer. It also seems that the overall quality of the performers [in general] has slipped since we started going there 15 years ago, when there was only Spanish Springs. I spoke to quite a number of people regarding the availability of polka bands, and what I have mostly heard is that the Villages has "cheaped out" on spending for entertainment. As a lot of the Polka bands come from up north, {Chicago, Wisconsin, N.J.} it's a little more costly for them to travel down here, and apparently the Villages just will not spend the money to have these groups appear here. There was also a woman, who's name escapes me at the moment, that was the person in charge of bringing groups in and seemed to have a "bad taste" for Polka bands. No idea if that was true or not, just what I heard.
So I guess now they have some sort of outside organization that does the hiring for the town squares, and I guess like Disney and other entertainment medias, no one wants to spend any money for better quality entertainment. More $$ for the executives running these company's I guess. {Read Bob Iger}
Anyway, I suppose the Villages will no longer "do the right thing" and bring the Polkas back................I guess since the Gentleman who started the Villages is gone now, there is more thought for a bottom line than the customers. Too bad, really. :ohdear:


Ja. Welkommen. You moved here yet?

[Scoops]

Reading about polka bands brought back memories of when I was a kid and we would go to the Polonia Grove in Chicago to enjoy beer and dance polkas all night. It was on Archer I believe, great place. Long time ago....

Polonia Grove was a favorite spot for my parents. My dad was a polka band leader back in the day. I too, would like to have Polka music on the square from time to time. It would bring back some good memories for me.

[DougB]

Polonia Grove was a favorite spot for my parents. My dad was a polka band leader back in the day. I too, would like to have Polka music on the square from time to time. It would bring back some good memories for me.

I see you are from Palm Bay! Did you ever see The Fabulous Korvettes? when living there. Although an oldies band, they also played some great polkas.

[duffysmom]

I live here 24/7 and haven't noticed a downgrade in the entertainment but then again I don't listen to rumors either.

[Monkei]

I am not sure you can line dance to polka music and since all I see now is line dancing except for show dancing, maybe polka is not that popular anymore. My wife and I used to watch the Polka Joe show on RFD TV and now watch the Mollie B polka show on the same channel. All the shows are either filmed in Minnesota, Branson and Texas. I guess it is dying out and merely a regional music now. It will continue it seems to become less important as the years go by.

[travelguy]

we don't have polka music at the squares because we are not old enough. that sort of music belongs to our parents' generation. at some point in the future WVLG will be playing oldies by performers such as Lady Gaga and Maroon 5.
(actually music 'themed' nights would be a lot of fun...sock hops, motown nights, the british invasion......)!

[eknight]

I love country and rock and roll music but I also love polka music, but for some reason we don't have the amount of polka bands in The Villages as we have in the past. When we have polka bands in the squares it is always very crowded and those fans should have their fun also.

Hey we just bought a house in Gilcrist...after completing our Lifestyle visit. We searched in vain for an accordion club but did find your listing. We love Slovenian and are bringing several accordions and a couple of button boxes. We close July 19th...would love to hear from you!
Ed and Elaine Knight jknight@utm.edu

[eknight]

Polonia Grove was a favorite spot for my parents. My dad was a polka band leader back in the day. I too, would like to have Polka music on the square from time to time. It would bring back some good memories for me.

Looks like it will be up to us to get it going! We close July 19th and would love to meet you! Ed and Elaine Knight
jknight@utm.edu or 7315149327

[stadalberts]

I believe that for some odd reason, the Villages does NOT want to pay polka bands because most polka bands have at least 6 or 7 band members, and the Villages does not want to pay the amount of $$ required for polka bands as they have to travel great distances, and it is not worth it for the Villages to pay that much, apparently. It anyone knows of some other reason, I'd like to know what it is.
I have also heard that the powers that be at the Villages do not particularly care for polka bands

[stadalberts]

Rumors,really?

[Billyworld]

I posted a polka bash below that is going on this Saturday at the American Legion. This band will knock your socks off.

[Warren Kiefer]

i love country and rock and roll music but i also love polka music, but for some reason we don't have the amount of polka bands in the villages as we have in the past. When we have polka bands in the squares it is always very crowded and those fans should have their fun also.

sadly the entertainment business was sold to a private individual who once managed the business for the villages. Despite my efforts time and time again, this lady apparently doesn't like gospel quartet music and isn't very hot about polka mucis either. I suggested to her that have an evening of quality gospel quartets would easily fill the house. I have seen this happen many times. I too, like polka music, and the american legion will be hosting an evening of polka music soon. Sorry i don't have the date.........

[stadalberts]

This is the kind of thing we keep hearing about the Villages entertainment division. I guess those in charge just do not want to be bothered......

[LndLocked]

sadly the entertainment business was sold to a private individual who once managed the business for the villages. Despite my efforts time and time again, this lady apparently doesn't like gospel quartet music and isn't very hot about polka mucis either. I suggested to her that have an evening of quality gospel quartets would easily fill the house. I have seen this happen many times. I too, like polka music, and the american legion will be hosting an evening of polka music soon. Sorry i don't have the date.........

you say that like it is a bad thing. :smiley:

[mulligan]

Also keep in mind that the "lady's" husband owns a booking agency for rock and country bands.

[Lynn222]

I love country and rock and roll music but I also love polka music, but for some reason we don't have the amount of polka bands in The Villages as we have in the past. When we have polka bands in the squares it is always very crowded and those fans should have their fun also.Why don't you call TV's customer service? 352-753-4508 Just make a suggestion.