[dmorhome]

what is going on ,not very good lately.went to brownwood bad, tried sumter
worse what happen to all the old bands that use to be here.grounds not as good as when we first came here in 2008,now the entertainment is going down hill. what is it going to be like after build out.

[ROCKETMAN]

If you would look at the entertainment budget which no one can, i am sure from may-sept. you would see a dramatic drop-off. Crowds are much smaller, less income from bar huts, and whatever the businesses in the squares contribute drops off because their sales are a lot less. Once we get to oct. you will all the good bands more often. They still are at katie bells like tonight rocky and the rollers and happy hour all night. They still will have a full house tonight, even in the slow time.

[JIMROY]

I have to agree with the observation that things have changed. The entertainment at the squares has been poor at best over the last 4-5 months. Barbra Vesco has bought the business and since then lots has
changed.
I wrote her an email this morning outlining what my perspective has been over the period. Many people I have talked to have express the same concerns. I may suggest others do the same. I do not think my note was
a complaint because I have wrote her notes in the past praising her work.
I felt there was a change and I wanted to point it out. Good luck.

[DAWN MARIE]

The bands have been terrible lately. I've seen a huge difference in the five years I've lived here. The other night at Sumter there was only about 10 people on the square by 8 pm. There was a mass exodus around 7. We were wondering if those left were relatives.

Tonight the Dan Story Band is playing at Sumter. They are one of the exceptions lately. If you can, come down and check this band out.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by JIMROY

I have to agree with the observation that things have changed. The entertainment at the squares has been poor at best over the last 4-5 months. Barbra Vesco has bought the business and since then lots has
changed.
I wrote her an email this morning outlining what my perspective has been over the period. Many people I have talked to have express the same concerns. I may suggest others do the same. I do not think my note was
a complaint because I have wrote her notes in the past praising her work.
I felt there was a change and I wanted to point it out. Good luck.

What is the email address?

[l2ridehd]

They are on the typical business downhill slide.

1. Need to make better margin so cut the quality and cost of the product. (bands not as good)
2. Volume has dropped so make more cuts. (less people at the square spending money)
3. Another drop in quality so people stop coming altogether. (use DJ's only)
4. Bankrupt. (stop the entertainment as nobody comes any more)

[buggyone]

I happen to think the bands are still mighty good. Sure, there are some dogs like Garrett Miles but plenty of great ones like Uncle Bob and the Rockshop.

Yesterdayze is another excellent band.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

They are on the typical business downhill slide.

1. Need to make better margin so cut the quality and cost of the product. (bands not as good)
2. Volume has dropped so make more cuts. (less people at the square spending money)
3. Another drop in quality so people stop coming altogether. (use DJ's only)
4. Bankrupt. (stop the entertainment as nobody comes any more)

yikes! that reads like a business plan for the elimnation of another benefit of living in and visiting the villages!

[perrjojo]

What is a "good band"? I think we all may have different ideas as to what is "good".

[lightworker888]

My take on it is that TV is wanting to attract more people who are now in their 60's so their music is not the same as our music of the 50's /60's. As a possible compromise, perhaps each town square could be "home" to bands o different decades and then on occasion rotate around. It seems that many of us (70's +) are missing the old R&R that was playing more a few years ago and I for one have a difficult time relating to the music of the 80's and 90's which means that we don't go up to the square as often as I'd like.

It seems that the movies that are at the Rialto appeal more to our generation than the ones at Sumter and Brownwood and that seems to work. Perhaps the "older bands" could be at SS more and the "younger" ones could be at Brownwood and then rotate through Sumter. Just an idea.


LW888

[gregntam]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I happen to think the bands are still mighty good. Sure, there are some dogs like Garrett Miles but plenty of great ones like Uncle Bob and the Rockshop.

Yesterdayze is another excellent band.

Uncle Bobs Rock Shop is my favorite too!

[perrjojo]

Just got home from LSL...Dan Story Band...the square was packed...everyone dancing and having a great time!

[DAWN MARIE]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

Just got home from LSL...Dan Story Band...the square was packed...everyone dancing and having a great time!

See, I wasn't lying. I'm glad you came down to see this great band! The DSB will be playing next week at SS. If you haven't checked them out, you need to see for yourself.

[Bogie Shooter]

Run, run...........the sky is falling!

[golddigger52]

Since the Villages sold the entertainment division to Barbara Vesco it's been all downhill. It has nothing to do with the snowbirds leaving. We have no more parades and the holiday celabrations stink. The Villages sells its properties for a hefty sum advertising that "you're buying into a lifestyle" yet our lifestyle is slowly going downhill.