[Joe C.]

Our friends go to the square (SS) several times a week, and we usually join them and sit at Dunkin Donuts tables. Usually six of us and sometimes others join us and then there are ten or twelve. Just sit around talking and drinking an iced coffee. However, even that far from the band, it's way too loud and I have difficulty understanding what's being said at our table. Most of the bands actually SUCK big time. There are a few that are actually decent. But the music is too loud to be enjoyable. On the DB scale it goes up over 90db. Maybe OSHA should get involved because the band is getting paid to perform and the volume is in the unhealthy range. I'm partially deaf 60/40 and the music is still too loud.

[Tyson]

Once your here for awhile you dont go period. Too many old people just dancing like a clown, looking like a moron, just for attention.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

When I was on my lifestyle and short-term visits last year, I was at the squares pretty much every night, as the whole concept was very “novel” to me. I would open the Daily Sun each morning, see who was playing at each square that night, and drive or take my cart to that square ( a few times I made an appearance at all 3 squares the same night).

Once I moved here, I was going to the squares probably 4-5 nights per week for the first few months, and sampled most every band, and rated each on my phone, quickly determining which ones I preferred more than others.

Once I knew who my favorite bands were, I started just waited for them to appear at the square closest to me (Brownwood).

Then, I sorta stopped going to some that previously “were” one of my favorite bands, as the order of songs played, and even the “schtick” and “banter” between songs became repetitive, and almost identical to previous times.

7 months in, I’m down to maybe going to the squares once a week, and sometimes once every-other-week. I have found going out is more about sitting and socializing with my friends and neighbors, vs which band is playing (though I still have my handful of bands that I will make an attempt to see - just don’t want to “OD” on them).

Curious about how often others get out to the squares at night.

Last time I went was about a year ago, for an hour. The time before that, a year before. I was having fun dancing to Rolling Stones songs with several friends. I hurt my hip and ended up needing a hip replacement. The bands are talented, but not my sort of music. I gave up most rock decades ago. I’d definitely go to hear a good bluegrass band, or one that plays pre-1970 Country (not contemporary—I want to hear that pedal steel guitar), or one that plays the Great American Songbook (like Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra). But I don’t think that is going to happen. The music is free, but I can’t dance anymore, and music is free at home, too, so I don’t go at all anymore.

[kcrazorbackfan]

To each their own; here 8 years and we don’t go to the squares anymore.

[Laker14]

Not counting when we have company, probably once a month or so, sometimes more. Since there is no cost involved, we are fine with showing up, walking around. Maybe a dance if the music inclines us that way, often not. Watch the people. Watch the turtles. Maybe an ice cream cone, and admire the sunset over the lake.
Then a nice cart ride home, and settled back in the house by 8:00 or so.
We may, or may not bring our chairs.
Like much of TV, easy living.

[Nana2Teddy]

Rarely. We didn’t go much even as newbies 8 months ago, or on two lifestyle visits. We just like to be home at night unless we’re at a scheduled social event for our village, or a club meeting. We love the comfort of our own home, and watching television shows and movies at night after a busy day. Love our AC too, lol. We haven’t seen most of the bands, so only have one favorite (Spazmatics), and we’ll go see Scooter the DJ occasionally to watch the dancers, or at Edna’s. If we do decide to go spontaneously it’s always Brownwood since it’s an easy cart ride, and we wait until the last set so parking opens up around the square and we can sit in our cart. My knee that needs replacing always complains after I’ve climbed those bleachers, lol.

[paulajr]

Maybe 2 or 3 times a year …
Which is exactly why I tell people who insist they want to live “near Sumter Landing” or any square not to base their house hunting on that!

Originally Posted by Michael 61

When I was on my lifestyle and short-term visits last year, I was at the squares pretty much every night, as the whole concept was very “novel” to me. I would open the Daily Sun each morning, see who was playing at each square that night, and drive or take my cart to that square ( a few times I made an appearance at all 3 squares the same night).

Once I moved here, I was going to the squares probably 4-5 nights per week for the first few months, and sampled most every band, and rated each on my phone, quickly determining which ones I preferred more than others.

Once I knew who my favorite bands were, I started just waited for them to appear at the square closest to me (Brownwood).

Then, I sorta stopped going to some that previously “were” one of my favorite bands, as the order of songs played, and even the “schtick” and “banter” between songs became repetitive, and almost identical to previous times.

7 months in, I’m down to maybe going to the squares once a week, and sometimes once every-other-week. I have found going out is more about sitting and socializing with my friends and neighbors, vs which band is playing (though I still have my handful of bands that I will make an attempt to see - just don’t want to “OD” on them).

Curious about how often others get out to the squares at night.

[Salty Dog]

We tend to just go when we've eaten at one of the local restaurants and happen to notice the music. We will wonder over and stay awhile if the crowd isn't too bad.

[Funkman]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

Last time I went was about a year ago, for an hour. The time before that, a year before. I was having fun dancing to Rolling Stones songs with several friends. I hurt my hip and ended up needing a hip replacement. The bands are talented, but not my sort of music. I gave up most rock decades ago. I’d definitely go to hear a good bluegrass band, or one that plays pre-1970 Country (not contemporary—I want to hear that pedal steel guitar), or one that plays the Great American Songbook (like Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra). But I don’t think that is going to happen. The music is free, but I can’t dance anymore, and music is free at home, too, so I don’t go at all anymore.

If you haven't done so already, you should check out the band Slickwood. Also on Saturday afternoons the group Fiddlerat (one of the guys from Slickwood, Henry Hood, who plays banjo and fiddle plays down at Sawgrass a couple times a month) Just saw them again today.

FiddleRat | 12pm-3pm

FiddleRat features a traditional Bluegrass instrumentation: guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro, fiddle, and bass.

Originally Posted by Michael 61

When I was on my lifestyle and short-term visits last year, I was at the squares pretty much every night, as the whole concept was very “novel” to me. I would open the Daily Sun each morning, see who was playing at each square that night, and drive or take my cart to that square ( a few times I made an appearance at all 3 squares the same night).

Once I moved here, I was going to the squares probably 4-5 nights per week for the first few months, and sampled most every band, and rated each on my phone, quickly determining which ones I preferred more than others.

Once I knew who my favorite bands were, I started just waited for them to appear at the square closest to me (Brownwood).

Then, I sorta stopped going to some that previously “were” one of my favorite bands, as the order of songs played, and even the “schtick” and “banter” between songs became repetitive, and almost identical to previous times.

7 months in, I’m down to maybe going to the squares once a week, and sometimes once every-other-week. I have found going out is more about sitting and socializing with my friends and neighbors, vs which band is playing (though I still have my handful of bands that I will make an attempt to see - just don’t want to “OD” on them).

Curious about how often others get out to the squares at night.

Not as often as I would like. Hate to sound like an old fuddy-duddy but really if volume could go down a notch it would be much more appealing to hang out in Brownwood "people watching" as the dancing is fun to watch. Same for restaurants and bars, volume way too high to enjoy most of the time. To have to scream to talk to people is too much work. Less is more. But still, I go a couple times a month.

Edna's on the Green is so popular come fall that a person can't pick up their mail via car so it's nice to be within walking distance. Go with friends a couple times a month as well, the volume still higher than I'd like but what are ya gonna do?

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

When I was on my lifestyle and short-term visits last year, I was at the squares pretty much every night, as the whole concept was very “novel” to me. I would open the Daily Sun each morning, see who was playing at each square that night, and drive or take my cart to that square ( a few times I made an appearance at all 3 squares the same night).

Once I moved here, I was going to the squares probably 4-5 nights per week for the first few months, and sampled most every band, and rated each on my phone, quickly determining which ones I preferred more than others.

Once I knew who my favorite bands were, I started just waited for them to appear at the square closest to me (Brownwood).

Then, I sorta stopped going to some that previously “were” one of my favorite bands, as the order of songs played, and even the “schtick” and “banter” between songs became repetitive, and almost identical to previous times.

7 months in, I’m down to maybe going to the squares once a week, and sometimes once every-other-week. I have found going out is more about sitting and socializing with my friends and neighbors, vs which band is playing (though I still have my handful of bands that I will make an attempt to see - just don’t want to “OD” on them).

Curious about how often others get out to the squares at night.

I’ve actually never been to a square specifically for the entertainment. I mean of course I’ve been there for dinner while the bands were playing but I’ve never actually sat in the square or danced. There’s a band called Justin Heat and they’ve been around this area since I was in high school here. My friend is the drummer still to this day. Maybe I should go see them sometime.

[cindyfeh]

Originally Posted by paulajr

Maybe 2 or 3 times a year …
Which is exactly why I tell people who insist they want to live “near Sumter Landing” or any square not to base their house hunting on that!

That is what our realtor told us when we said our top criteria was to be walkable to a square. Everyone is different. It would still be at the top of our list. The morning lake walks, spontaneous shopping trips and live music any night we desire is the best!!

[Al2014]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

When I was on my lifestyle and short-term visits last year, I was at the squares pretty much every night, as the whole concept was very “novel” to me. I would open the Daily Sun each morning, see who was playing at each square that night, and drive or take my cart to that square ( a few times I made an appearance at all 3 squares the same night).

Once I moved here, I was going to the squares probably 4-5 nights per week for the first few months, and sampled most every band, and rated each on my phone, quickly determining which ones I preferred more than others.

Once I knew who my favorite bands were, I started just waited for them to appear at the square closest to me (Brownwood).

Then, I sorta stopped going to some that previously “were” one of my favorite bands, as the order of songs played, and even the “schtick” and “banter” between songs became repetitive, and almost identical to previous times.

7 months in, I’m down to maybe going to the squares once a week, and sometimes once every-other-week. I have found going out is more about sitting and socializing with my friends and neighbors, vs which band is playing (though I still have my handful of bands that I will make an attempt to see - just don’t want to “OD” on them).

Curious about how often others get out to the squares at night.

Yogi said it best- No one goes there anymore. It's too crowded.

[jarodrig]

Once the novelty wore off , I avoid going to the squares like the plague !

Now only VERY occasionally and try to go when Valerie Gillespie performs…..

[BobnBev]

The apartment dwellers have taken most of the fun out of going, and it's only gonna get worse.