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Month: February 2022

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Getting Eklectic on The Squares

“What if we put as many amazing talents as we knew into one company?” This was the question lead singer, Krislyn Rojas and her husband, bass-guitarist, Luis asked themselves ten years ago when their band Blonde Ambition was taking off.

Quickly coming up on their company’s tenth anniversary on March 21st, they have grown from 3 bands to 168 musicians, dancers, and dj’s who perform everywhere under the sun. From corporate events to nonprofit galas to The Villages squares, “The sky is kind of the limit for what we provide,” Krislyn says.

New Eklectic Entertainment – Coming Your Way

This month, we’ll see three new bands from Eklectic Entertainment on our squares.

Sound Up, making their debut at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, is a high energy top 40 band. Krislyn says they have “a dj inspired flow to the night in the way they call shows” and they can’t wait to see them soar.

There has been more demand for great 80s rock cover bands and The Rundown Band delivers. Lead singer, Raphael, has a voice that “reaches into the stratosphere” making this band a hit when they debuted in February. You can expect to party on the squares with them again this month!

You may have seen The Rundown Band when they made their debut in February!

Part of what makes new band Sugar Vibe so special is their “larger than life sound wrapped up in a package of 5 people”. They run like a well-oiled machine and will make their way onto the stage at Spanish Springs Town Square this month.

Eklectic History in The Villages

Eklectic Entertainment’s bands began working with The Villages in the Fall of 2019. When asked “why The Villages”, Krislyn said she would always be an advocate for The Villages Entertainment after the way they took care of them when the performance industry was taking a hit.

“The Villages has been the single most reliable promoter for live entertainment in Florida. I firmly believe The Villages Entertainment single-handedly helped over 100 bands continue to perform.”

Not only did The Villages Entertainment continue to employ performers, but Villagers contributed to the live-music industry as well. “[The Villages] helped make performers feel wanted and their artistry seen.”

Eklectic Entertainment continues to come back to The Villages not only because it’s what they consider their “home base”, but they’ve never experienced crowds like those made up of Villagers. “They are there to greet you, hug you, ask you about family, and they’re there for your successes.”

With everything opening back up, the company continues to get invited to out-of-state gigs but they will always come back “home” to The Villages.

“There’s nothing else really like it anywhere.”

Come see Sound Up make their debut March 18 at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, The Rundown Band at Brownwood Paddock Square March 16 and at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square March 30, and Sugar Vibe on March 14 at Spanish Springs Town Square.

You can visit our nightly Entertainment page here for the monthly line up at each of our Town Squares.

If you are interested in receiving emails with the monthly Town Square schedule and other cool articles like this one, you can sign up here!

Don’t forget to join Krislyn and her band Blonde Ambition at Electric Light Party March 4.

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UPDATE: Mobile Ticketing

The Villages Entertainment has a new update – mobile ticketing!

The pandemic opened the floodgates to a plethora of new advancements in the technological world! This nudged businesses to become more advanced in the ways they were communicating information.

The QR code became well known to all, used in restaurants and theaters nationwide. The Villages Entertainment grasped a hold of this advancement for ticketing purposes.

Many may have first used this feature for The Open Air Concert Series 2020, when the beta was first tested by patrons. With great success for both patrons and staff, The Villages Entertainment is proud to announce its latest feature update of a more swift and convenient form of digital ticketing.

QR codes will now be available after patrons purchase a ticket to The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, the Savannah Center or The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol.

What is a QR Code Really?

A QR code is essentially a unique  barcode, like an item at a grocery store would have.

Each individual ticket purchased will have it’s own unique “barcode”. So when buying 4 tickets for a performance, the patron would receive 4 individualized “barcodes” (QR codes) for that performance.

How do I Receive and Present My QR Code?

Shortly after your purchase, an email with confirmation of purchase will be received. This email will also have a QR code that will admit you into your performance.

This is a screenshot of what your mobile ticket would look like

Simply pull up the QR code on your mobile device upon the arrival at your venue and staff will be happy to easily scan your tickets right from your device.

This update will expedite the ticketing process tremendously, and allows consumers to purchase and receive their ticket instantaneously all from the same device!

Please call The Villages Box Office at (352) 753-3229 or visit one of The Villages Box Office Locations for any questions you may have utilizing this new feature.

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Beehind the Scenes with The Bee Gees Tribute

Beehind the Scenes

The Bee Gees have been captivating audiences for decades with their unique vocal sound, while remaining current through all the eras of contemporary music.

Tribute band, Stayin’ Alive, has proven the longevity of the Bee Gees music as they are no stranger to the Savannah Center stage! Coming back again and again over the last decade, they continuously sell out seats in the area.

The tribute Bee Gees group dates back to about 2001, with band members Tony Mattina (Barry Gibb- lead vocal and guitar) and Todd Sharman (Robin Gibb- lead and backing vocals). Some years later in 2009, Joe Peeres (guitar) and Mark Arbour (bass guitar) joined in, followed by Joseph Janisse (Maurice Gibb – vocals and keyboard) in 2010 and most recent addition, Murad Gunduz (drums and percussion).

Tony Mattina is from Hamilton, Ontario and claims he is always up for a game of road hockey! Having a history in numerous other tribute bands, he explains why the role of Barry Gibb is so special to him.

“Barry has such a unique and identifiable voice,” Tony states, “and I take great pride that night after night the audience embraces my translation of Barry’s character.”

Attempting to match the vocal style and tone of a singer such as Barry Gibb, Mattina gives credit where credit is due, “Barry is truly one of the greatest vocalists of our time.”

Todd Sharman has become a mainstay in the Toronto music scene for many years. Fronting many tribute acts from Tom Petty to The Tragically Hip, he has also been a part of many original bands.

Todd Sharman explains why The Villages is such a unique venue for the group to perform at,

“The Villages is such a cool community that has the feel of a small town, yet it’s the size of a city!”

A Hit in The Villages

STAYIN’ ALIVE is a versatile group that has played both intimate settings as a six piece band and at monumental venues with immense orchestras!

Sharman states that one of the most memorable things he experienced as a part of the group was meeting and performing with Oscar, Grammy, Emmy and Tony award winning composer, Marvin Hamlisch and the San Diego Symphony.

With a full Bee Gees playlist of hits such as “Night Fever”, “Jive Talkin’”, “How Deep Is Your Love” and “Stayin’ Alive”, all sure to be heard at the February performances, a band favorite is hard to choose.

Sharman explains how his “favorite” song can change performance to performance,

 “I enjoy singing all of them, but the audience reaction can elevate songs so my favorite can change on any given night”.

Sharman looks forward to performing in The Villages soon, and as a message to the Bee Gees patrons out there, Stayin’ Alive cannot wait to take the stage February 25th and 26th and look out to an audience enjoying themselves as well as the music.

Sherman’s message to patrons:
“Get up and dance like no one is watching OR like everyone is watching!!!”

Dig out that old velvet vest and disco pants for a night that is sure to keep the music of The Bee Gees alive!
Purchase your tickets to Stayin’ Alive before they’re gone here: https://www.thevillagesentertainment.com/buy-tickets/stayin-alive/

 

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The Villages Musical Theater; Beauty and The Beast

A Musical Background

The Villages Musical Theater dates itself back to 2001 with their first musical, “South Pacific” in the Spring of 2002. Since then, the group has become quite familiar with the Savannah Center stage.

Some recent productions include “My Fair Lady,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Oklahoma,” and “The Music Man”.                    

One of the greatest things about performing in The Villages, says new leader Ed Slivken is, “[it] is like performing for friends and neighbors.”

He further explains that the neighborly atmosphere that performing in The Villages creates “gives an added boost in the efforts to put on a great performance” in return.

A Change in Leadership

Ed Slivken recently became the new Chairman of The Villages Musical Theater, but has an extensive history with theatre in The Villages as a whole.

“My neighborhood social club was entertained one month by a Villages group performing a Murder Mystery. I contacted them to see if I could participate and one thing led to another. I started off as a roadie hauling and setting up equipment!”, Slivken explains,

“When I got a small role in The Villages Musical Theater production of “Brigadoon” I discovered that there is so much more to putting on these shows”.

If you or someone you know has an interest in becoming involved with theatre groups in The Villages, visit https://www.districtgov.org/images/clubslisting.pdf and contact the leader of the group for more information.

Coming Up

The Villages Musical Theater group is bringing a musical classic to The Villages this Spring, April 5-7th, with Disney’s Beauty and The Beast!


As many may remember from the original Disney movie,
“There are several large numbers that are impressively choreographed and staged”

Slivken further explains that the characters will be superb! A production of this scale also allows the opportunity for a large cast to be involved, which gives more members of the group a chance to participate in the Savannah Center spotlight!

When asked what scene he favors most, the response landed on a personal favorite.

“My favorite scene is “Be Our Guest.” This extensive song and dance number features all of our castle dwellers like Mrs. Potts the teapot, Cogsworth the clock, as well as a large array of costumed dining ware!”

With quality talent, a large cast and extensive costuming this show will be the Belle of the balll!

Don’t miss out and purchase your tickets here to see Disney’s Beauty and The Beast: https://tickets.thevillages.com/events/sav-11434 

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