Minto July Emag | Page 14

In addition , there is virtual programming like popup Jimmy Buffett concerts . “ When we ’ re showing a Jimmy Buffett concert on the jumbo screen , we have one of our live groups play first and actually “ open ” for him . It ’ s very exciting . We also have started recording some of the on-stage concerts so that residents can stream them later and watch them in their homes ,” notes Gambone .

“ We focus on great music ,” he continues . “ Our musicians go through a rigorous audition process , and we hold auditions once or twice a year . Joe Ginel , Entertainment and Atmosphere Director with Margaritaville Management Group , comes in and spends time with our lifestyle team , and the bands audition for us to become an approved act for Latitude Margaritaville . The groups selected are always of the high quality expected by our residents . Some are local acts that play in Orlando , Savannah and other large cities near our communities .”

Latitude Margaritaville communities also have a few garage bands that include professional musicians as well as very talented amateur musicians who always dreamed of playing in a band . Gambone comments that he has often heard residents who are musicians remark that they wanted to move to Latitude Margaritaville because it ’ s named after a song and to be part of a music-centric community .

14 FINS UP FOR MUSIC