There is no culture in The Villages
 

Was perusing Graciegirl's discussion about finding the Villages and was reminded that we have friends in Sarasota and Venice who come up to visit once in a while and both have said "WELL, the Villages is very nice but there really is no culture here"...which puts me into a not so nice mood. I think we have a LOT of culture here and it's growing. :beer3:

Sounds to me like they are the type of people that have their nose out of joint.

Sounds like self justification of decisions made and reluctance
 

to change....if they wanted to do so.
And oh yes, something significant is missing from the info...lack of culture as measured by what?

btk

I've met an individual here in TV who seems to have been brought up in and subsequently lived for years in Manhattan and is now very regretful that there is "nothing" here to keep her entertained!

I have tried to persuade her that, while TV is not and can probably never be Manhattan, she ought to adjust.

Sadly, it does not seem to be working!

SWR
:beer3:

Okay, I'm doing some serious ducking as I type this, but I agree -- the "culture" in TV is a joke at best. You can't have everything but TV comes darn close. I love the ballet -- it is a true passion of mine. I enjoy hearing a world class orchestra or performer. There's nothing like a Broadway play -- whether on Broadway or a good road show.

I haven't found a good ballet company in Central Florida and that does make me sad. Our symphony orchestra is not world class, but it is enjoyable on am amateur level. I will be kind and not comment on the shows/plays/musicals at Savannah Center. I have seen a couple of decent plays in Tampa, but nothing I would want to write home about.

So, given the standard criteria for "culture," TV is sorely lacking. If culture is a No. 1 priority, TV is not the place for you. If having many activities, seeing many different types of performances (although the majority will be at the amateur level at best), living with some of the most wonderful people in the world, then TV is for you.

If I am in dire need of serious culture, I'll dig out a CD and play some Yo-Yo Ma or Itzhak Perlman. I'll play a DVD of the Bolshoi on the big-screen TV in my living room. Heck, I'll even save my money and plan a trip to see a play or two or take in a ballet or .. There are alternatives.

The lack of culture here is not a major issue in the scheme of TV. I put it up there with missing some of my acquaintances (friends are another story) in California. When I miss my ballet, I'll find a way to watch some on TV. It ain't live, but I'm not going to cry about it.

I keep reading about a planned performing arts center. If that comes to fruition, perhaps it will be a venue for some cultural activities. Here's hoping. . . .:rolleyes:

''Culture'' means alot more than just having a world class orchestra, or a good ballet company, when I was in France, a lady said that americans had ''no culture'' I told her
that if was true than it was her fault and the fault of all the people of europe, our country is a melting pot of many cultures, and that is what made our country great, and if it wasn`t for the ''un cultured'' americans, she would be speaking german today instead of french.
I see the Villages as a small melting pot of people from all over the country and a few other countries,and I never met so many great people in one small area anywhere in the world, its like having the largest family in the world. I feel like we have our own " culture" and its pretty damn good.

Maybe cost is not a factor for your "cultured" friend, but the cost of a live show in Manhattan (or San Francisco or any of the other big city culture centers) is out of sight for me. Even the cost of a movie ticket in NY is twice what it is here.

Reading all of this and having been to NY only once in my life on my way to Germany to join my husband as a newlywed Army bride, I guess the only way you could refer to my culture is "Genuine Red Neck". I grew up on the likes of Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Chet Atkins, Bob Wills and then Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Dione Warwick, Motown, etc. and still love it all. Do I like the other stuff....I might...dunno. But I'm very happy with my station in life and most grateful for the privilege to live in this place. One of the best parts......having some of it all.

I remember the first time I ever came here (2002) and there was an outdoor symphony concert at Hacienda. Needless to say, it was not my kind of music, but was beautiful and beautifully performed. Many of us were parked in golf carts across the lake totally enjoying the performance. My daughter-in-law, who loves symphony, ballet, etc. (she once studied to be a ballerina until an unrelated injury nixed that) was totally amazed. She remarked that she had just paid big bucks the week before for the same thing that was here for free. Her observation...."What a place!"

In short, I guess a lot of life is really what you make of it. No one is forced to live here and here is not everyone's "cup of tea". That's ok...just don't put down anyone who feels that it is theirs, please.

Jtdraig, don't take offense with your Sarasota friends. I think it's a fair comment. Someone who frequents first-rate museums, gallaries and/or performing arts (symphony, ballet, opera, theatre, etc.) probably is not going to find TV right for them. They probably are not going to find any small town right for them. That's ok.

Many people enjoy having those venues available but only occasionally attend them. This group might miss these venues, but enjoy on a more routine basis the people, particular sense of community and many splendid amenities that TV does offer. (I'd put myself in this group.)

Other people don't care for the artsy scene at all.

TV isn't right for everyone. That doesn't offend me.

Villages culture
 

We've lived in many places, from Alaska to New Jersey, Idaho to Virginia, and now Florida -- and traveled widely in Europe and Asia -- and I think I see what the "culture critic" means about The Villages. My impression is the Villages culture is a mosaic made up of many facets depending on your needs and interests. We love classical music and there's very little of that here and no longer on 70.9. We listen to our own CDs and can't stand any local station. BUT check TV and with all the cable channels it's no monument to culture. The Villages mosaic is in its great diversity of people, its numerous clubs and activities, and wide variety of restaurants which combine to provide fellow and family feeling -- if you are open to it.

The same, no culture, was said about the town I came from in southern CA. Honestly, that can be said for many locales, but there might be areas nearby where one can partake of "culture." Around here, one can drive to Orlando, Sarasota, other cities, for events that might not be available here in The Villages. Unless one lives in a large city, with theaters, museums, art exhibits, most people have to drive to areas where they can find that sort of "entertainment."

Some people really enjoy living in the city, with the hustle and bustle, the theater, the sophistication, the crowds. Personally, I've been to the cities, seen the art exhibits, been to the theater, dined in fine restaurants, and for me, a little more peace and quiet makes me comfortable. Some just enjoy a more casual lifestyle and this is a good place to live that kind of life. Doesn't mean the residents don't enjoy "culture" just means they've decided that what The Villages has to offer is more appealing to them. This community isn't for all, but all who live here seem to feel it is for them.

If you aren't all a bunch of cultured people, I'll eat my hat. Your responses are wonderful to read. I agree completely with each and every one of you and I feel so lucky to own a home where you do.

Could not have said it any better, sooooooooooo i won't. But i would love a radio station in TV that would play some of my all time favorite songs.Like, I'm just a bug on the windshield of life, or My wife ran away with my best friend, and i sure do miss him.Also , How can i miss you if you won't go away. My final 2 favorites are, I'll marry you tomorrow, but let's honeymoon tonite and Beauty is only a light switch away.Just a little levity to end the day, goodnite all:laugh:

There’s plenty of culture here. I just pulled some out of the back of my refrigerator drawer.

Good comments. TV is not for everyone. Not everyone is content to play cards or softball, or participate in golf cart parades, or do what a lot of Villagers do. If you're raised in a family of musicians, you may miss going to the opera, or seeing high caliber musical events. If you're from NYC you may miss seeing the top plays and shows. It doesn't make you a bad person, or mean you have your nose out of joint. It just means that The Villages offers certain things, but not all things for all people. When we retire we have to find a place that offers us what we need, culturally, intellectually, and otherwise. We have friends in Naples who enjoy all the cultural events they have there, who would never think of moving to The Villages because they would miss those events. My husband and I tried to look at the pros and cons of TV, and the lack of cultural activities definitely was one of the cons for us, but we compromised and bought here anyways, and are happy with our decision.

I was first offended by the broad term of "no culture" when I read this at first. After reading the posts, I would agree, that if "musical and performance culture" is the main criteria, then a BIG city is what one needs to be in. Enjoyable and good entertainment is found here if you look.

One MAIN thing that is missing is a good classical music station. I don't have CD's of everything, nor do I want to be changing CD's every two seconds in the car and in the house. Of course I enjoy the Villages radio station. The music, the interviews, the commentaries and the oldies are fun. BUT, I basically call it the "propoganda" station. ;- You can't sit outside in a comfortable chair to read quietly without the propoganda station being on all over the place at ALL times wherever you may be. That's the design!

But yeah, a good classical music station would be wonderful. Is there one and am I missing it?

So, if you want the BEST classical music and broadway shows, you'll have to pay top dollar and pay triple the amound of money to own a house elsewhere.

One can always nit pick, but all in all, this is an awesome place to be with lots of music to be had if you're not a SNOB about it. :D

Tweety? A little bird told me you sing OPERA.

Not free, but check out Sirius or XM Satellite Radio.
3 Classical stations for your enjoyment, half a dozen country stations for mine.
I have it in my car and they just played some Hank Snow on the Roadhouse station. :pepper2:

Sad people
 

Not being able to see the rare and unique culture that is and is in the Villages is an indication that your friends do not have any culture themselves because it takes one to know one.

Please excuse this lower type for asking but,

What is CULTURE & why is it.

Yoda

Okay, I was one of those who had season tickets to ACT, the symphony and ballet in San Francisco. I went to museums and art galleries almost weekly. When I moved to TV, I knew I would be giving this up. Do I miss these things? Of course I do. I also miss San Francisco sourdough bread, Gallo salame, camping every August in Yosemite; riding my bike up Mt. Diablo.

In exchange, I get enough activities to choose from to keep me occupied from 7-9 daily; some of the best neighbors I've ever had; a chance to meet some of the most wonderful people in the world; and I SMILE every day!

Pick your needs. Decide what you truly cannot live without, what you are willing to give up to live here. If the cost (both emotional and financial) is right, then TV may be right for you even with the "lack of culture."

Let me know if you ever find a radio station with those songs!!...:a20::a20::a20:

For me, I have done enough of the cultured stuff and am now
 

in relax mode of life. If I really needed a culture fix there are too many ways to get it. I don't see it as something that has to be at my elbow to enjoy where I live.

And just how many hours per week or month or year are spent involved in culture things? A very, very small percent of ones total life. I suspect even the most cultured (what ever that self gratifying measurement means)....most of the time they do what we do most of the time here in TV or any of the other non culture providing communities.

It is not what most of us had on our list of "musts" and obviously not on those that miss it. It is available....we don't need it here in our back yard.......in my humble opinion.

btk

Well, if you live in The Villages, cultural activities are obviously not on your list of "musts", because they pretty much aren't available here. I think the point people are trying to make, is that everyone is different. Some people need and value cultural activites as a high priority, and will not find the Villages attractive for that reason. No reason to take offense over that or take it personally.

I haven't been to Sarasota and Venice Fla. so I'm curious what "culture" they offer that compares to the metropolitan areas in the US and Europe that others have mentioned.

A lack of "culture" does not mean a lack of cultured people. From what I can tell, there are many, many highly cultured people that have chosen to live in TV. Most small cities and towns have a lack of big city "culture", if that is defined to mean stage and fine art entertainment. I suspect most of those cultured cities don't have many (or any) of the amenities we have in TV - nicely appointed and equiped recreation centers within walking distance of most residents, nearly 40 golf courses easily accessible, nightly live entertainment on the plazas and the beauty of the resort-style landscaping and maintenance. And, all accessable via golf cart. Add to that the mild climate and relaxed atmosphere. To me, one of the reasons, and the fun, of traveling to other places is to experience and enjoy the culture offered there. If it was all available in TV, what fun would it be to travel to NYC or any other large city, if not to have access to something not available where we live.

Hey, you've got Golf, Fishing and NASCAR, How much more culture does a person need?

AMEN!:agree:

..

Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg offer quite a bit of cultural attractions.
 

The nearby metro areas in Central Florida probably have much if not more to offer than many other states' in the way of culture. You just have to drive a ways.

Missing
 

One bit of my culture requirements which is missing in TV is a good draft micro beer.

I go to Sarasota Brewing Co for that.

cashman,

You have a great idea -- how about you start a Villages Mico Brew Restaurant and Pub! Or maybe TV commercial real estate can convince Gordon Biersch to open a restaurant. I think their beer is pretty good!

PALMS is coming (eventually)
 

Anyone remember "Our Gang" and the shows they had in their back yards with sheets and orange crates? Kinda like that here. The Savannah Center is an okay place for small doings but a true professional company such as "Circus Sioliel" (sp?) would not be caught dead in such a place.
As long as you have a second rate facility, you will not draw squat. That is why I cannot understand why the PALMS is constantly on almost everyone's back burner.
If you want a true state-of-the-art performing arts center such as the Performing Arts Center of Lake-Marion -Sumter counties we have to work at it. Only when it is finally built will we have music, dance, acting and the like
at the highest level.

I'm trying to resist paid radio. I've got lots of classical and rock and other music I like on my iPhone I can even plug it into the car and listen through the car speakers. From TV, Orlando, Tampa and other cities are less than two hours away.

On the other hand, the people, lifestyle and amenities in TV are nowhere else to be found!

You can see Cirque du Soleil at Disney. It's not that far away. How much do you suppose a venue has to pay for "true professional" performers? I read the Palms would cost about $10.9 million to construct and furnish (2009 figures).

.... and worth every penny!
 

It worth be worth every penny.

Cirque du Soleil that would be a stretch.

Extremely well stated!!! And yes...sourdough bread!!!! Although, I must say, Fresh Market gets pretty close to that! Also, Panera Bread!!!

If you really want the "culture" you left when you moved away from your previous metropolitan area, then why did you move to rural Central Florida?

Yes, yes! Available New York City Broadway or Lincoln Center presentations aren't going to happen here in The Villages! And, may I ask, "Why in Heaven's Name should you expect them?"

In my five years here, I've seen many productions that exceeded my expectations in every respect! True, there have also been a few (very few) who shouldn't have even tried!

Please try to remember that this is a community occupied by folks who hope they're having fun, and don't really care about anything else!

SWR
:beer3: