Join us as we charge into the fall ready to Save The Republic

Are you with us or are you with them? This year at The Village Square, we flip this question on its head as we explore, mend and celebrate relationships across our differences.

America has run through the gauntlet. Through a historically divisive election, a global pandemic, rising inflation, and increasing siloing in our cultures, more and more Americans are starting to frame their perceptions of people by boxing them into two categories: "Are they with us? or Are they with them?"

It doesn't have to be this way. The United States of America was founded upon the idea that citizens could come together across political differences to form a more perfect union, and we have weathered the most fractious moments in our nation's history by abiding by this principle.

Two men, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, spent much of their lives hating one another because of their political differences, only to reconcile shortly before death. We say, if they can mend their relationship, we can mend ours! This season, The Village Square returns to our roots as we tackle how our closest bonds (with family, friends, and coworkers) fracture under the weight of political division and we explore how we can get back to a place of understanding and compassion.

This season, rather than tackling one particular issue or even a few, we will focus on how we tackle issues in our personal lives. It's about how we speak--and listen--to one another; how we need to value our democracy before it's too late; and how we foster friendship with each other across differences to make the world (and even just our hometown of Tallahassee) a better place.

Join us because you believe in democracy, you believe in friendship, and you believe that it's not too late to change the course of our country.  

We will welcome friends from near and far (including author Todd Rose) to show you that friendship CAN redeem our republic.   

Get the scoop on this fantastic dinner season and early-bird tickets here. And if you're a member, use your member code to get the ultimate Member Discount (if you need a refresher on the code, email Eliza here). Not a member yet? Learn more and join here!

September 27 at 6:00 p.m. | St. John's Episcopal Church | Respect, Rebel, Repeat:
Subversive Friendships for Divided Times.

Back in the day, many political foes were friends in real life—hanging out for a beer after a tough legislative floor flight, attending their kids' weddings over the weekends. It's a sure sign of the times when any across-the-aisle friends that still exist tend to keep their friendship on the down low in case they'd be accused of fraternizing with "the enemy." From the halls of Congress to our hometown, this makes becoming or staying bipartisan friends an act of straight-up rebellion against the toxic and divided culture we find ourselves in.

The Village Square rejects these new ideas of division in favor of our old camaraderie. You'll be joined for dinner by one such pair of fantastically dissimilar friends, Dr. Jacob Hess (who has been the most influential force for The Village Square, who you've never met) and Village Square Founder Liz Joyner. Plus, you'll have the chance to meet some of your hometown neighbors who are all bridge-builders in their own unique ways, including Talethia Edwards, Alex Workman, and Vanessa Rowse.

Register now to receive Early Bird pricing! (+ member discount for a super awesome deal)