Certain things you just are going to have to go someplace else to get. I really like to ski. Try to get to Tahoe every few years. And so far I can't find any snow in TV. Looked everywhere and still have not found any. Museums, shows, symphony, arts and entertainment. If what you have here is not what you want, do as I do. Jump on a plane every once in a while and go to where it is. Unless someone has found that ski slope covered with snow and I missed it. No place has everything, so pick a place that has most of what you want, then travel a bit for the rest.

After reading all if these posts I ask the same thing.

What is culture? Are we talking entertainment or are we referring to a bunch of stuffed shirts? I have been to a few "culture" events and I was not impressed with the people. I had tickets with reserved seats to plays in NYC and as soon as the doors opened it was push and shove to be the first one in. I was happier at the local Pax Amicus play theater in Byram, NJ.

According to Wikipedia:

the word "culture" is most commonly used in three basic senses:

1. Excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities, also known as high culture

2. An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning

3. The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group

In these posts, it seems that culture is associated with expensive plays, ballets and orchestra presentations. Then I hear that classical music stations are needed. I am waiting to read one about the lack of chess playing. I put that with definition 1.

Folks - culture is what you make it. You are all talking about entertainment and you apparently do not think that the "hicks" down here can provide that level of entrainment. Well they can. Just take the time to enjoy the plays and concerts that they have in the Villages and central Florida. If you don't like that, travel to Jacksonville to see some great shows.

As for classical music stations, there are not enough supporters to make any of the classical stations a go. Use your satellite radio or buy DVDS to satisfy your desires.


As for the term 'hicks", I need no response. I was raised in Jacksonville Florida and I know that is what you usually think of us southerners.

Z

Well said Z, well said

Yoda

I'm a Southerner. People can just hear my accent and think I'm an uncultured hick. But gee, to call people who have a taste for the fine arts and humanities stiff shirts-- isn't that doing the same thing in reverse. Sure, some people are pretentious about it and fit the mold. Others have a genuine appreciation and love for fine arts and humanities.

I'm not knowledgeable about the fine arts, but I've heard symphonies and seen master works of art that moved me to tears. We probably all have. On the other hand, "I love rock and roll, put another dime in the jukebox baby." Does this make me an uncultured, stiff-shirted hick? Oh wait, maybe it does. :D

Anyway, my real point is, must we be so quick to judge harshly people whose tastes and interests are different from our own.

And what better place to be than TV with four major cruise ports nearby!!! :MOJE_whot:

Trudy

Well said. BTW, although not a native of Jax, we raised our four children there. It was a great place to live and bring up a family. We would still be there if it hadn't got so "big city". That prompted us to look for an over 55 community. We found The Villages and the rest is history.

Another BTW. I have three grand children and three great grand children who are Florida natives. Two more grand sons are Georgia natives. So, I think very highly of Southerners.

Normally, when people say a town/area/local has no culture, they are talking about the "fine arts." I love TV, but there is no way that anyone can say that TV has a lot of culture using the common vernacular.

Personally, I love the ballet, hate opera, love plays, art ... I also love the blues, good rock n roll, country, hate polka ... I love my shorts and t-shirts and truly hate makeup ... I also love my dresses and tuxedo pants and heels ... and so on and so forth.

Now, if loving some of the finer things in life makes me a stuffed shirt, so be it. My grandfather on my father's side was a hillbilly through and through. My grandfather on my mother's side was a German aristocrat. Both died before I was born but I do believe I have enough of their genetic makeup that I could live happily in either of their worlds.

I've never called someone a hick (unless I did it unknowingly as a child). Truth be told, I'm really not sure exactly what a hick is. I have a vague idea, but not a precise one -- someone from the country with a limited education (?).

The point is, I'm not sure why I should be condemned for loving classical music, fine art, etc. or be called a stuffed shirt for loving it. I'm sorry, but TV does lack good, cultural events (and, yes, I've been to several events at Savannah Center and at Church on the Square -- the Church actually has the better classical music). Doesn't make TV any less than it is, it just is. I certainly wouldn't condemn you or consider you a hick because you don't like those things, so why imply that I would?

[QUOTE=redwitch;270145

The point is, I'm not sure why I should be condemned for loving classical music, fine art, etc. or be called a stuffed shirt for loving it. I'm sorry, but TV does lack good, cultural events (and, yes, I've been to several events at Savannah Center and at Church on the Square -- the Church actually has the better classical music). Doesn't make TV any less than it is, it just is. I certainly wouldn't condemn you or consider you a hick because you don't like those things, so why imply that I would?[/QUOTE]


I was born and raised on the east coast, been to NYC over a hundred times and saw it all. Two of my kids live there, the other in DC.It's a great life with everything you could ever ask for. Moved to Lexington ,Ky to play college basketball, love the South, but don't ever confuse the culture and arts of the South with the great metropolitan areas in this country.TV has very little culture ,if any at all, but that's not why we want to live here.Sooooooooooooo for all you who are getting defensive about the lack of culture in TV, live with it, because the Savanaah Center doesn't even compete with a third rate college center.TV needs a HUGE upgrade, until then, hop a plane, take a train, or automobile , because it's not here in TV land.

:ohdear:

Orchestra seat on Broadway is around $140 per ticket and balcony seat is around $97 plus fees from Ticketmaster

I just can't believe some Villagers will condemn others because they like classical music, fine art, etc. We made a decision to live in The Villages, weighing the pros and cons, and as mentioned previously, the lack of nearby cultural activities was a "con" for us. Add narrowminded, judgemental people as another "con". Hopefully they are in small numbers here.

BTW -- I'm not upset about being called a stuffed shirt (heck, I wish I could stuff a shirt -- always been on the small side). I resent the implication that I would think I'm better than someone because their taste in art, music, whatever is not my taste or that I would insult someone because the venues I want are not local. That is truly insulting!

And yet....Top Retirements says: Culture Index: 121+ (very high)

:click:
http://www.topretirements.com/review..._Villages.html

There are a ton of cultured people who live in The Villages....and a few that live here that aren't.

When I think of a person who is cultured, I think of more than just their tastes in music and theatre or what they have read. I think of their hospitality and their demeanor and their kindness. Good manners (acting like a cultured person) are really not much more than looking out for others.

We all come from different cultures, very different, and yet we have the commonality of age and ownership. We are inventing our own "Villages culture".

We don't have a lot of things here but what we do have is indefinable. It is good. I am willing to leave the place that I have known all my life to be here.

I will ask Tweety to sing for me and Dancerbill to dance. Maybe Schuler will sing for me too. How wonderful this place is.

Cultured or living in the Villages??

Culture?
 

What's the difference between (dis your favorite location here) and yogurt?

Yogurt has an active, living culture!

Definition of Opera: When someone gets stabbed, instead of bleeding, they sing.

That being said, the 'culture' that some people are bemoaning the lack of in TV has always been of limited appeal. Attested to by the fact that most fine arts and programs are either subsidized or dependent on generous donations from corporations or wealthy individuals. Personally, I'm moving to TV because of the 'culture of TV'. It's what 'Trips MY trigger'. Enjoying ballet, stage plays, orchestra performances, classical music, fine art, museums, etc. makes you no better nor worse than me. It simply means your tastes differ from mine. Fine arts and other forms of 'culture' are simply different forms of entertainment to be appreciated. How I choose to be entertained is MY choice, not to be judged by others, but accepted.

Well said Macro.:thumbup:

Anthropologically every village has 'culture'
 

Several decades ago I was fortunate to work in downtown Manhattan for a month and a half at the Time-Life building on a project with an international team. Knowing I was from Los Angeles, the locals in the office spoke endlessly of the clearly superior (to anywhere else, especially LA) CULTURE of NYC.

I had already come with an appreciation for museums, the symphony, the theatre, FM radio etc. and especially ethnic delights that NYC offered. We found the people friendlier than the stereotype mainly, perhaps, because we were friendly ourselves (several times we were told that if we had been locals they would have ignored us) as we wandered all about.

Each morning the local staff would react in horror at where we had walked. Finally after a week of hearing about the wonders of NYC from this crew, I asked just what it was they did after leaving the office. To paraphrase their responses: "why, we go straight back to our apartment, close the steel door, lock the 27 security locks, and watch television."

Our experience at some of these cultural venues (Broadway, musical events, clubs with well-known jazz musicians, et al) was that there may have been cultural opportunities but there were a lot of locals without 'culture'. They talked incessantly during performances as though they were at home watching television.

The Villages has a 'culture' and there are many 'cultured' among the population. Pick any of the items listed earlier as evidence of 'culture' and you will find it a simple matter of money to bring it to TV. We can have a world class symphony or ballet or anything else -- just get a few of the old money robber barons or some of the new money wall street thieves to donate a few hundred million here and there. Voila! Instant 'culture'!!

Billy-Joe Jim-Bob

macro, very well said. I can't wait to meet you and your shorter half.

Meeting up.
 

Thanks GG & BK.
Looking forward to it BK. ever get the pix out of your camera? If we can find our way out of the tangle of boxes, will try to make it to Crispers in Aug or Sept. :clap2:

All this talk about culture takes me to thinking back of Gilligans Island.................

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!! Your definition of Opera is hysterical!!! This is such a funny thread. There is nothing like a LIVE performance of your favorite singer or entertainer. There is such a "high" experiencing that. On occasion, I am willing to drive out of town and listen to a famous person. But ya know?? I am just as happy listening to the vocal chords of Petrina, Sue Schuler and others in the Villages. Yeah, I can be a snob, but I'd rather open my ears than have my nose up in the air. I might trip. :sing: --> FIGARO FIGARO FIGARO FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE GAH ROW.

When I hear Giovanni Paisiello's The Barber of Seville, I always have a picture of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in my head. William Tell's Overture conjures memories of The Lone Ranger.

Bloviating
 

IMHO, I think most people associate 'culture' with dressing up in uncomfortable clothes and attending some activity they would really not care to attend but 'really should'. 'It's the thing to do.' Just because I don't attend operas, ballets and spend my time wandering through art museums doesn't mean I don't appreciate them or the talent involved. To me, the talent required to produce an opera, art, dance, plays, orchestral arrangements, etc. is what I admire. My hat is off to the hard working people who spend so much of their life to produce those works for us to enjoy. I believe there is a goodly percentage of people at these events for the sole purpose of 'see and be seen'. I really don't care for 'pretentious'. To those who truly enjoy those things, I am sorry you have to put up with those types. Being 'cultured' doesn't mean attending all the right plays, operas, museums, making the right comments on them or the wine or which fork to use first. Culture is first and foremost courtesy, good manners and common sense. I appreciate talent wherever I see it. Popularity is not the same as talent which is why most of what we watch on the tube is generally around 50 years old or more. What currently passes for entertainment isn't very. Too many stand-ups think the sure way to get a laugh is to embarrass someone or use crude humor. Not really a prude but can't help thinking of people like Bob Hope, Will Rogers, George Goebel, Red Skelton, Bill Cosby, Etc. I can appreciate the talents required to prepare the food for a fine dining experience and the talent required for the presentation of same but, sometimes you just want to dive into a really good cheeseburger and fries. Broadway stage shows are great but I can watch 'Arsenic & Old Lace w/Jimmy Stewart over and over. A really good performance of the works of Mozart, Brahms, etc. is enjoyable and stirring but 4th of July with Arthur Feidlerand the Boston Pops can really stir you too. To paraphrase another quote, 'Life is too short to do what you don't enjoy.' Sometimes you feel like Charley Daniels in the Geico commercial. 'That's how you do it, son'. ............But I digress....

You're so right, GG. What a great perspective!

Brewery
 

We had a great micro brewery here, golf medal quality, but it was sold by The Villages.:cryin2:

:agree:

No doubt many people-- in don't know about most-- who attend "fine arts" activities don't really care to, but think they should. However, to paraphrase your earlier insightful comment...

"How [someone else] choose[s] to be entertained is [their] choice, not to be judged by others, but accepted."

I think that's true-- even if their choice fits the "classic" definition of "culture". It seems unfounded to assume, just because some people dress up and attend such an event, that they are stiff shirts who look down their noses at others.

Now... I can't wait to hear Tweety Bird and Schuler, and I LOVE Guilligan's Island, even if I don't know how to spell it.

Sorry PT
 

Didn't mean to imply they were all 'stuffed shirts' but was referring to the general impression held by those who are not into that sort of thing. You would have to admit that there is probably a fair number of attendees of those events whose sole purpose is to "be seen in the 'right circles' " with no appreciation or valid interest in the art form. Those were the ones that I think give fine arts a bad rap. As I stated, I can't tolerate 'pretentious'. On our cruises, my wife looks forward to the formal nights and High Teas and the chance to dress up a bit and enjoy the atmosphere. For myself, I would be happier in the casino but will dress to accomodate the dress code and enjoy the time with her. And no, I was not being judgemental of those who choose to be entertained in that manner but rather those who are there for 'show' and try to tell us how much better they are. Not meaning to offend, just some ramblings of an aging mind. Any one seen my car keys? thought I left them in the refrigerator?

Don't know if this is cosidered "culture" but I heard The Villages Swing Band practice
Friday at Mulberry Rec. I'm not of the Swing Band era, but, boy, were they fantastic!!

Would be worth seeing in concert.

Hardy har, har, har
 

Thanks, Macro. I needed that.

:mademyday:

I agree with all of the previous posts; and there is such diversity of experience and talent here that even within The Villages, we are able to enjoy alot of great music, plays, and other performing arts; the jazz clubs here bring in wonderful performances, for example.

However, if one really wants the fine performing arts, they are available just 90 minutes away in Orlando - the Broadway Series, symphony and ballet; and also has museums. (Unfortunately, even in a city as large as Orlando, the opera folded earlier this year for decreased ticket sales - as have several other opera companies in prominent U S cities). Tampa, too, has some performing arts performances; and museums. When we lived in Louisville, many people drove an hour or two to come to the arts performances, and thought nothing of it.

After all, The Villages is less then 100,000 people (and even fewer during the summer), so one could hardly expect to have available right here the full performing arts calendar that would be available in metropolitan areas; but a fun night outing to Orlando is not that far to go for premium arts performances (at least until we eventually get a performing arts center built here; which is probably, and I hope, inevitable).

For a community of our population size, I would bet that The Villages offers far much more in arts that in areas with comparable population size. What other retirement communities, or even 'regular' communities of this size, even come close in the diversity and quality of arts offered?

Freeda, great post. I think you are right!

IMHO - I am a native New Yorker, (Westchester County, not the city) who lived within driving distance of everything the city has to offer, (plays, museums) which some people consider to be culture in it's highest form.
I have visited the Statue of Liberty once and have been to the Empire Sate Building twice. I would be willing to say that a great majority of New Yorkers don't go to these cultured events as frequently as they claim but go home after a hard days work and watch television. It's nice to know that it is readily accessible. There is a vibrancy to the city in terms of having many places to visit if one has enough money to party seven nights a week. If someone moved away from this type of culture, a vacation to New York where they could attend as many of these functions as possible would be a way to look at it. My impression is that people in other parts of the country have taken vacations to see broadway plays, etc. that most New Yorkers have.
They only culture I care about is living in a place where the people are nice and willing to help others. Where there main goal in life is to stay healthy and happy and share their lives with people they care about.
To each his/her own.

People are as happy as they make up their minds to be. Abraham Lincoln

Cuture
 

Culture, we don't need no stinkin Culture!

Just ask your friend if there is culture in her real estate development or does she have to go to a city to find it?

Culture Shock
 

Oh my goodness and lah-dee-dah. How so very hoity-toity. It sure is aggravating when people say things like that. And besides, assumptions are more often wrong than right.

I made an assumption about a club in TV. May I tell you about it........

While we were in TV on a recent visit, I was reading the Recreation News or whatever that paper is called that comes out once a week and lists the schedules for club meetings. As I glanced through the names of the clubs listed, I saw games and music and art and books and sports and dancing and singing, all kinds of stuff. Something for everybody.

But the club name that really caught my attention and made an impression was “The Gray Owls.” When I saw the name of the club, I got an instant picture in my mind of a Gray Owls meeting.......

In the picture, there were several sophisticated looking men who had gray hair. They were wearing tweed jackets with patches on the elbows. -- Yeah, I know. We were in Florida so those tweed jackets would have been pretty hot I guess. But the picture was in my mind and I don’t think there is a thermometer in there. -- Anyway, they were wearing the jackets with Bermuda shorts, open-collared shirts, and loafers with no socks. Some of the Gray Owls were smoking pipes. And some were wearing horn-rimmed glasses.

In the picture in my mind, these guys had the wardrobe down. They were the Gray Owls after all. All that wisdom at one meeting. Just imagine.

I swear to you. I do not make this stuff up. I get pictures.

I actually thought this was a club for intellectual types, perhaps retired professors or philosophers (Do philosophers ever retire?) I thought that the Gray Owls had meetings to discuss things like great books or theories or history or art or..... ohhhhh, who knows??? But that’s the picture I got by looking at just the name of their club.

Then I read the part that tells what the Gray Owls really do.

These guys meet someplace and carpool to a Hooters somewhere. But hey, who’s to say that they are not discussing great ideas while they are there.

Boomer the Assumer

Solution to the culture problem.......................if you don't like what TV has to offer then don't buy here. Problem solved.

Three Dimensional Art?

Other Brudda, we have a rich culture here, one that is steeped in information gathered over years of living, traveling, raising kids, working at our careers, doing our best, sometimes failing, crying, learning, forgiving and a LOT of laughter. I think that the culture here is one of great socialization and that the people who move here do not wish to live alone.

I think the culture here is hugely educated, many in formal academic settings and many in the school of life. We have a lot to learn from each other and a lot to share. We haven't reached the age of entry without forming some very solid and very stubborn ideas about things and we know enough to give each other a little room on issues.

I think we know how to drink tea and Manhattans, and even if we didn't grow up in Manhattan, we carry with us our culture, our background, our geographic origins. We are a diverse group, yet very similar. We have lived long enough to have learned a lot, seen a lot and forgotten a lot.. on purpose.

This is a perfect place and a perfect culture for me. A culture of new beginnings.

Gracie, please don't ever, even in jest, pray to God to keep from feeling so dumb around anyone. You are absolutely the Pearl of Allah whose culture surpasses all others. You are the Hand of Faith and golden in your wisdom. You resemble the Heart of Eternity, valued for your uniqueness. You are like painite, the rarest gem in the world.

You are the epitome of culture. Your words are very moving and wise.

There is a club here called "Eating in the Raw". Can you imagine my embarrassment when I found it was raw vegetables they were talking about?

Judy, I am sure you are absolutely right. And I feel quite certain that such a highbrow discussion would eventually evolve into debating that classic question, "Does life imitate art or does art imitate life?"

And, zcaveman, I saw that club name, too, and I wondered if anybody ever misinterpreted and decided to show up for a meeting.

You know, maybe this whole culture issue under discussion here just goes to show that if TV ain't got it, you don't need it.

Boomer