To the Editor:
The Villages Entertainment Department has informed the Perseverance Brass Band that their services are no longer needed for St. Patrick’s Day on March 14 at Sumter Landing and March 17 at Spanish Springs. Mardi Gras for the band will be reduced from Feb. 5 at Spanish Springs and Feb. 7 at Landing to Fat Tuesday on March 5 only at a square to be determined. In addition, the band’s Strawberry Festival gig Feb 22 was also canceled. No reason was given for the decision to cancel the aforementioned Villages gigs.
I thinks it’s a shame.
The band has a large following at Mardi Gras and St Patrick’s Day. The Perseverance Brass Band has been a cherished fixture in the Villages since 1995.
How do I know this? Dutch Uithoven is the band leader and called me recently to tell me the bad news. I live in The Villages and have had the honor to be the principle Sousaphone player with this great band since 2008.
As I mentioned earlier, the Entertainment Department gave no reason for the cancellation. In fact they said the performance of the band was excellent.
If you are a fan of the band and not happy with this decision please call the entertainment department at (352) 750-5411 and tell them so.
Dan Howard
Village of Santo Domingo