Entertainment at the squares

[ROCKETMAN]

Looking at the entertainment for sept., I think the budget for entertainment has has dropped. Now I am a rock and roll fan, no country, so depending on your taste in music, you may disagree. Also a band must have a drummer, not taped background ala clark barrios. With 90 days of possibilities between the 3 squares, 1 each of rocky, uncle bob, and cactus jack. Earthbeat, paradise, and mpire also have 1 appearance and they are all pretty good. I still am confused about the income to pay for the entertainment and who runs it. Some say the person who is in charge runs it along with her husband who runs a booking agency out of Orlando. That would be the vesko's I presume. I know the income comes from the vendors, (used to be $30.00 a night, not sure what it is now), bar huts, $82 a night from sumter county, ($60,000 grant -730 night of entertainment-2 squares), and the merchants also chip in. Maybe someone knows more.

[ureout]

I know that Barb Vesko now handles the entertainment....and you are correct the level of entertainment has gone way down!!!!!! that being said it is still FREE.....Many of the groups that used to play have become solo or duet acts because of the $$$$$ that is now paid....i dont understand why some acts still get booked every month, you go to the square and there are maybe 30 to 40 people listening and dancing. If I was a business i wouldn't want to be paying for that. I think the opening of Brownwood was way to early, there are no businesses to support it and unless the big acts are there like rocky and the rollers the place is empty

[Bogie Shooter]

I know that Barb Vesko now handles the entertainment....and you are correct the level of entertainment has gone way down!!!!!! that being said it is still FREE.....Many of the groups that used to play have become solo or duet acts because of the $$$$$ that is now paid....i dont understand why some acts still get booked every month, you go to the square and there are maybe 30 to 40 people listening and dancing. If I was a business i wouldn't want to be paying for that. I think the opening of Brownwood was way to early, there are no businesses to support it and unless the big acts are there like rocky and the rollers the place is empty

Check that number out in Jan, Feb & Mar.
BTW I don't remember being guaranteed top level (whatever that is) entertainment at the squares

[graciegirl]

I know that Barb Vesko now handles the entertainment....and you are correct the level of entertainment has gone way down!!!!!! that being said it is still FREE.....Many of the groups that used to play have become solo or duet acts because of the $$$$$ that is now paid....i dont understand why some acts still get booked every month, you go to the square and there are maybe 30 to 40 people listening and dancing. If I was a business i wouldn't want to be paying for that. I think the opening of Brownwood was way to early, there are no businesses to support it and unless the big acts are there like rocky and the rollers the place is empty


Our whole population is down right now, it is summertime.

If we ran The Villages as residents ourselves we MIGHT be booking the Boston Philharmonic and the, I don't know the name of popular new bands are but... we would be paying really big bucks. We can't have EVERYTHING we want. Forever and ever.

Many of us went to the squares a lot the first couple of years, then the novelty kinda wears off a bit after that for some of us. But not for real music lovers and dancers I can see.

I wish everyone could be as happy as I am with this place. I hope things improve for those who want to hear what they aren't hearing.

I would hope that the new owners of the entertainment department, the Vescos, make a go of it, without disappointing people.

Do you think that they are keeping the money for themselves now? Or do you think that the quality is down because it is summertime and might improve during the high season?

[jimbo2012]

BW last night had a very good group, but the rain......

We went to City Fire there and the two people were very good, they will be back next Sat

[Cantwaittoarrive]

More a matter of taste than anything

[buggyone]

More a matter of taste than anything

Exactly right. Some people like Garrett Miles or Carol Ann. Personally, I think both of those are complete duds, so I do not go listen to them.

I like The Bendys a lot so I will cart over to Spanish Springs or LSL when they perform. Naturally, Rocky and the Rollers are the best!

[DAWN MARIE]

I've seen a difference over the years as well. There are more and more singles/duos/DJ's than ever before. Every month it seems as if two or three new ones are added to the mix. My friends and I come out and support the live bands as much as we can because we prefer them. It's pretty evident when you go to the squares, as much as we do, that the live bands are the ones drawing the crowds.

[Irishmen]

The squares have turned into flea market atmosphere. What was supposed to be cash and carry vendors, those same vendors are now advertising service products.

[DougB]

The squares have turned into flea market atmosphere. What was supposed to be cash and carry vendors, those same vendors are now advertising service products.

I could certainly do without Market Night.

[Bogie Shooter]

I could certainly do without Market Night.

So, just don't go............problem solved.

[DAWN MARIE]

So, just don't go............problem solved.

LOL...exactly. Since Market Night only happens twice a week at two squares that is only 4 out of 21 gigs for the week when you consider all three squares. Should be pretty easy to avoid and still enjoy a night of music.

[DougB]

So, just don't go............problem solved.

I don't go. It was an easy solution. Don't recall asking for your help

[Bogie Shooter]

I don't go. It was an easy solution. Don't recall asking for your help

It was free...............just like the market night!

[Skybo]

We go to market night whenever we have guests visiting. My visitors always enjoy it. Obviously there are plenty of people making purchases because the vendors wouldn't be there if they weren't making money.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I've seen almost all of the acts that perform at the squares. My opinion is that unless you're a line dancer, there is nothing at the squares for you. I also agree with the OP. If we drive by a square and don't see a drum set, we keep going. A guy pushing buttons is not, in my humble opinion, LIVE entertainment.

And yes, there are a lot of duets and trios that use pre recorded tracks because they don't pay enough money for a full band. I talked to a duet that uses drum tracks about playing drums for them and the answer was, that they would love to have a live drummer, but they just can't afford it on what they get paid.

[manaboutown]

No drummer = Sequester on the squares.

[e-flyer]

Bobby Blackmon was rocking tonight with his blues band (live drummer).

[DougB]

It was free...............just like the market night!

Free advice is worth about half of what you pay for it