The Villages - June 2021 - 29

PERFORMING DURING A PANDEMIC
Needless to say, the VPO's 2020-21 season was a
unique one.
Much like the tourism, restaurant and hospitality
industries, the arts and entertainment industry was
hit particularly hard by COVID in 2020. With many
venues, parks and other entertainment outlets closing
as a precautionary measure, there were far fewer
opportunities for bands and orchestras to perform.
And yet, through it all, the Villages Philharmonic
soldiered on.
" We experienced what I believe was an unprecedented
lifestyle change, " Valerio said. " The arts and
entertainment network was hit very hard by the
pandemic, but we - talking about The Villages - have
an alchemy with the lifestyle of this city. This community
supports any activity going on in The Villages. During
this experience we've been in for the past year, I've
noticed that they never stopped giving to my creation
love, affection and support. "
Even though some of their shows in the middle of
2020 were canceled, the orchestra took center stage
again beginning in October with a limited-capacity
audience of 200 guests at The Sharon. The VPO was
one of the first shows back at The Sharon as it reopened
its doors, along with some small cabaret shows and
musicals.
Elizabeth Constant is the booking coordinator for
The Sharon, and she has nothing but good things to say
about the Villages Philharmonic.
" The Villages Philharmonic's home is The Sharon -
they played at Church on the Square and now have the
new hall to continue to entertain residents each month
during their season, " Constant said. " We have very close
relationships with them - the Maestro, musicians and
administrators. We are grateful for their flexibility and
out-of-the-box thinking this year. They are in the space
each month, and we can operate different offerings (such
as making it two performances, changing prices and
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changing the seat map) as we slowly work through the
financial struggle of this season. Meanwhile, Pasquale
Valerio continues to provide top-notch entertainment
despite the hardships. We are very grateful to work with
them and host them each month. "
Valerio relates an Italian idiom of tightening your
belt to keep your pants from falling down - he says
that is what he (and many others) had to do to keep
things going during the last year. He also says he was not
without help - staff at The Sharon, including artistic
director Whitney Morse and operations director Jason
Goedken, provided support for the VPO.
The Villages - June 2021

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