City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 1/09/12 Item Number: _J-2
JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD AGENDA ITEM:
(1) Consideration ofPotential Discontinuation of the Culver City Music Festival
Based upon the Loss of Funding Due to the Pending Dissolution of the Culver City
Redevelopment Agency on February 1, 2012 as a Result of the Implementation of
State Legislation and (2) (In the Case the City Council Determines to Replace
Agency Funding with City General Funds)(a) Consideration ofProduction Services
for the 2012 Culver City Music Festival.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Susan Obrow / Community Development
Todd Tipton / Community Development
Phone Number:
(310) 253-5762
(310) 253-5783
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (e-mail) Meetings and Agendas – City Council (01/06/12); Meetings
and Agendas – Redevelopment Agency (01/06/12); Cultural Affairs Commission
(11/29/11); Downtown Business Association (12/22/11); Culver City Chamber of
Commerce (12/22/11); Gary Mandell/Boulevard Music (11/29/11); Ruth Price/Jazz
Bakery (11/29/11)
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld: (12/20/11)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (01/06/12)
Agency Counsel:
Murray Kane: (12/28/11)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (N. Kimball) (01/06/12)
City Manager/Executive Director Approval:
John M. Nachbar: (01/06/12)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council and Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board (Agency
Board) (1) determine whether to discontinue the 2012 Culver City Music Festival
based upon the loss of funding from the Culver City Redevelopment Agency
resulting from the implementation of state legislation and (2) if the City Council
determines to appropriate funds from the General Fund Reserve to replace the lost
Agency funding, consider options related to production servicesfor the 2012 Culver
City Music Festivaland direct the City Manager to utilize $75,000 from the General
Fund Appropriated Reserve
BACKGROUND:
The Culver City Music Festival (Festival) is presented in City Hall Courtyard
(Courtyard). Current planning includes presenting the Festival in the Courtyard until
the new expanded Town Plaza opens. Mr. Gary Mandell of Boulevard Music has City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
been selected by the Agency Board as the Producer of the series during the
remainder of time it will be presented in the Courtyard.
Mr. Mandell’s Producer responsibilities include marketing, production and house
management of the Festival. The Cultural Affairs Commission’s 2012 Culver City
Music Festival Ad Hoc Subcommittee (Ad Hoc Subcommittee) has the opportunity to
suggest musical styles and genres for the series; however, Mr. Mandell is
responsible for selecting the individual musical artists. The City/Agency’s
responsibilities include production management of the venue and administration of
the annual business sponsorship campaign for the Festival which generates funds to
enhance the audience experience in the Courtyard such as the improvement of
seating, lighting, signage and maintenance.
In February 2011, the Jazz Bakery was selected by the Agency Board to program
the last two concerts of the 2011 summer series. As the producer, Mr. Mandell
contracted directly with the Jazz Bakery for those performances and provided
oversight of those performances.
The following programming recommendations were supported by the full Cultural
Affairs Commission (CAC) and then approved by the Culver City Redevelopment
Agency Board for the 2011series:
• Continue presentation of a variety of musical styles and genres
• Presentation of lively, energetic musical groups
• Presentation of music, including more world music, directly appealing to
patrons in their 20s and 30s
• Book performers who have not yet played the Festival to attract new
audiences to Culver City
• Book one high quality musical group per concert evening to attract more
publicity and satisfy those attending only first set
Subsequently, Mr. Mandell’s six week program featured performers new to Culver
City as well as some return appearances. The Jazz Bakery presented the final two
performances featuring artists who had never appeared in the Festival before and
attracted new audiences to the event. Mr. Mandell engaged the services of a
publicist this year which resulted in more press listings throughout the Los Angeles
area. The performances were well attended.
DISCUSSION:
Because of the pending dissolution of the Culver City Redevelopment Agency
effective on February 1, 2012, the City Manager/Executive Director does not
recommend continuing with the Culver City Music Festival in 2012 as the funding for
this program from the Culver City Redevelopment Agency is no longer available.
Please see the Fiscal Analysis section below for additional comments from the City City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Manager/Executive Director. However, should the City Council determine to move
forward with the 2012 Culver City Music Festival, the following information is
presented:
The dates for the 2012 Festival would be Thursday, July 12 through Thursday,
August 30.
On October 11, 2011,at a regularly scheduled meeting, the CAC considered the
recommendations of its Ad Hoc Subcommittee comprised of Commissioners
Michelle Bernardin and Ronnie Jayne. The CACreconfirmed past programming
goals andsupported retaining Mr. Mandell as Producer of the Festival with the
responsibility to oversee the entire series, engage six of the eight musical artists,
and contract with the Jazz Bakery to engage the final two musical artists of the
series. In addition, the CAC recommended changes related to the graphic design of
the event’s promotional flyer, the selection of musical artists and the expenditure of
funds used to procure artists (see attached).
During the CAC meeting, Mr. Mandell suggested the possibility of staff absorbing
the marketing responsibilities for the Festival in 2012. Staff currently works closely
with Mr. Mandel on the marketing effort by negotiating advertising rates, reviewing
content and proofing materials, and implementing the City’s electronic media
campaign.
Options:
Should the City Council/Agency Board wish to maintain the status quo, staff has
identified the following options for the City Council and Agency Board’s
consideration:
1. Retain Gary Mandell as the exclusive producer of the Festival in 2012;
Or
2. Retain Gary Mandell and the Jazz Bakery as co-producers of the Festival in
2012.
Staff recommends that the selected producer be instructed to implement
recommendations of the CAC in regard to graphic design, the selection of musical
artists and budget expenditures.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The funding for the 2012 Culver City Music Festival work program wasincluded in
the City CouncilAdopted Budget for in Fiscal Year 2011/2012 using former Agency
funds. Should the City Council determine to move forward with the Music Festival
in 2012, staff recommends the following allocation of the budgeted funds: City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Producer
$ 8,000 Producer Fee ($1,000 per concert plus $2,000 additional for general producing effort)
$15,000 Musical Artists (estimated $2,500 per musical group / one group per concert)
$10,000 Sound Services
$ 5,000 Event Production(House Management, Hospitality, Production Management, Security)
$10,000 Marketing
Guest Presenter(paid through Producer)
$ 2,000 Presenter Fee ($1,000 per concert)
$ 5,000 Musical Artists (estimated $2,500 per musical group / one group per concert)
Venue Management(staff retains this amount)
$20,000 Venue Production/ Maintenance Crew / Signage
Funds for the Festival have been appropriated in the Culver City Music Festival
program account (48194410). Additionally, there is an annual sponsorship program
which currently generates approximately $7,500 per yearin cash contributions,
which is used to enhance the audience experience in the Courtyard.
Comments from the City Manager/Executive Director
Consistent with my comments to the City Council/Agency Board regarding the
pending dissolution of the Culver City Redevelopment Agency and the resulting
significant, negative financial impact to the Agency and the City in the magnitude of
the loss of millions of dollars of support for City and Agency projects and programs,
including staff positions, I respectfully and reluctantly do not recommend the City
Council continue this program. The dissolution of the Culver City Redevelopment
Agency on February 1, 2012 results in the revocation of Redevelopment Agency
funding for this program and for the City staff positions which support this program.
Given the current projected budget deficit in the City’s General Fund (which has
been made significantly worse by the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency), I
do not recommend the City Council utilize funds from the General Fund to replace
those funds lost from the Redevelopment Agency.
However, should the City Council determine this program should continue, the City
Council would need to replace the lost Agency funds from some other source.
Such source would likely be the General Fund. Should the City Council determine
to move forward with the 2012 Culver City Music Festival, then I recommend the
City Council direct me to utilize $75,000 in General Fund Appropriated Reserve. I
will then ensure any staff management responsibilities are performed.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. CAC recommendations City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
2. 2011 Culver City Music Festival program/flyer
3. Selected flyers from current Cultural Affairs programming
4. 2011 Gary Mandell Festival Expense Report
MOTION:
That the City Council and Agency Board:
1. Determine whether to discontinue the 2012 Culver City Music Festival in light
of the loss of funding due to the pending dissolution of the Culver City
Redevelopment Agency;
OR
2. (In the case the City Council determines to move forward with the 2012
Culver City Music Festival) Direct the City Manager to utilize $75,000 from
the General Fund Appropriated Reserve to fund the 2012 Culver City Music
Festival.
MEETING DATE: January 9, 2012
AGENDA ITEM: Review and Approval of Recommendations for the 2012
Culver City Music Festival
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. CAC Recommendations 1-2
2. 2011 Culver City Music Festival program/flyer 3-4
3. Selected flyers from current Cultural Affairs programming 5-13
4. 2011 Gary Mandell Festival Expense Report 14-15
CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR THE 2012 CULVER CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Summary of Recommendations
• Retain Gary Mandell as the overall Festival Producer for an eight-week
series with responsibility for marketing, house management, production
and artist relations
• Retain Gary Mandell as the presenter of the first six concerts with
responsibility for booking the artists
• Retain the Jazz Bakery as the guest presenter of the last two concerts
with responsibility for booking the artists
• Require Gary Mandell to contract directly with Jazz Bakery as the guest
presenter
• Require Gary Mandell to engage Cultural Affairs graphic design
contractor, Jamie Greenberg, to redesign the Festival marketing materials
• Require Gary Mandell and Jazz Bakery to continue to seek high energy,
high profile artists
• Require Gary Mandell and Jazz Bakery to utilize the full allocated budget
for musical artists.
Review of Marketing and Programming Recommendations
Marketing / Graphic Design
• Recommendation that Mr. Mandell redesign the graphics and marketing
materials for the 18
th
annual Festival to create a more current look to
the design which would better complement the promotional material for
other Cultural Affairs events and further brand the City’s cultural
programming.
• Recommendation to further streamlining the program/flyer by reducing
its size and effectively guiding concertgoers to the Festival page on the
City’s website which would include full artist biographies and general
Festival information.
• Recommendation that Mr. Mandell use the Festival marketing budget to
engage Ms. Jamie Greenberg, a graphic design contractor for several
of the Cultural Affairs work programs, to create a new design concept
for the program/flyer and ads. Mr. Mandell and staff would work
cooperatively on the graphic redesign during this transition time period.
All costs that results from Mr. Mandell’s use of Ms. Greenberg would be
Mr. Mandell’s responsibility.
ATTACHMENT 1
1
Musical Artists
• Recommendation that Mr. Mandell and the Jazz Bakery continue to
present a varied program of dynamic musical artists. Focusing on
audience response, and the success of the new dance area in the
Courtyard, it was concluded that concertgoers respond most favorably
to the artists who are high energy and to a convivial atmosphere where
they may dance and socialize with friends and family throughout the
evening.
• Recommendation that the presenters expend the full amount allocated
in the budget for musical artists. The recommended expenditure for
individual musical groups has been approximately $2500 which is not a
high performance rate for quality performers in the region. The CAC
recommends that the presenters spend the full amount that they are
allocated for musical artists, allowing for a range of performer fees, so
that the Festival’s programming may be competitive with other
Thursday night summer concert programs on the west side of Los
Angeles County.
2ATTACHMENT 2
34ATTACHMENT 3
56789102011
ARTWALK
CULVERCITY
THE CITY OF CULVER CITY PRESENTS the 6th Annual
310.253.5716 | www.culvercity.org
JUNE 4, 2011 | 2PM TO 8PM
ARTWALK CULVER CITY is a free, self-guided tour
of over thirty-five art galleries and exhibition spaces
in the Culver City area.
Stay Cool Ride Green
Sponsored by The Hammer Museum,
ForYourArt, 89.9 KCRW, LA Weekly, Flavorpill
and Sony Pictures Entertainment
11Culver Events Center
11948 West Washington Boulevard
Culver City
Free Admission
Reservations Required
Cultural Affairs Hotline
310.253.5716
www.culvercity.org
Culver City Cultural City
Performance Artist
Rachel ROSENTHAL
Performer/Composer
Amy KNOLES
peak
The City of Culver City
in association with PEN Center USA
presents
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
8pm
Easy
S
40 YEARS OF COMMUNITY BUILDING
An Evening of Spoken Word and Live Electronic Music
Sponsored by
Sony Pictures Entertainment
12Speak Easy
The City of Culver City presents a unique cultural program on the west side of Culver City which is
experiencing a time of revitalization. This autumn’s Speak Easy, sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment,
features performance art icon Rachel Rosenthal and performer/composer Amy Knoles. Ms. Rosenthal will
read her 1979 performance piece My Brazil on the occasion of her 85th birthday.
Rachel ROSENTHAL
Rachel Rosenthal, Artistic Director and founder of The Rachel
Rosenthal Company, is an interdisciplinary performer who developed
a revolutionary performance technique that integrates text,
movement, voice, choreography, improvisation, inventive costuming,
dramatic lighting and wildly imaginative sets into an unforgettable
“total theater” experience. In the last twenty-five years of her
performing career she presented over 40 full-scale pieces nationally
and internationally. She created the experimental Instant Theatre,
performing in and guiding it for ten years. She was a leading figure
in the L.A. Women's Art Movement in the 1970s, co-founding
WomanSpace, among other projects. In 2000 she was honored by
the City of Los Angeles as “a Living Cultural Treasure of Los
Angeles”. Retired from the stage, Rosenthal resumed a long dormant
career in visual art and is currently working in oil and watercolor. In
addition to her work in the visual arts, Rosenthal is Artistic Director of
a new ensemble of performers called TOHUBOHU! Extreme Theatre
Ensemble who present evenings of Total Improvisation regularly in
her studio space.
Amy KNOLES
Amy Knoles has spent her career attempting to redefine the crossroads
of music composition, multimedia art, and technology. Her solo works
draw on a huge variety of source material from throughout history,
language and culture as well as from her own personal imagination.
Medieval polyphony, modern urban rhythms, atonal deconstructions
and classic melodies have all been filtered through the lens of her
idiosyncratic voice at one time or another. Knoles's ability to invent
both high and low-tech methods of constructing musical and
multimedia experiences as well as her virtuosity as a percussionist
make for an ideal blend. Amy has been the Executive Director of the
California E.A.R. Unit for thirty years, and has recently created the
department of Electronic Percussion for CalArts. She has worked with
the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Kronos Quartet, Pierre Boulez, Rachel
Rosenthal, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and many others.
Culver Events Center Culver Events Center has a versatile indoor/outdoor setting which is a
favorite for weddings, parties, fundraisers and occasional movie shoots. Its "mission eclectic" banquet hall
was a speakeasy during prohibition. Hidden away behind Leaf Organics, at Washington and Inglewood
Boulevards, the intimate courtyard, gardens, bar and hall are reminiscent of olden days when Culver City
gave birth to the movie industry.
PEN Center USA Founded in 1943, PEN Center USA West (PEN USA) is a literary arts and human
rights organization with a mission to stimulate and maintain interest in the written word, to foster a vital
literary culture, and to defend freedom of expression domestically and internationally.
Printed on recycled paper.
Rachel Rosenthal.
Amy Knoles.
Pacific Standard Time Pacific Standard Time is an unprecedented collaboration of more than
sixty cultural institutions across Southern California, coming together to tell the story of the birth of the
L.A. art scene. Initiated through grants from the Getty Foundation, Pacific Standard Time will take place
for six months beginning October 2011.
Photo: Heike Overberg
Photo: Richard Hines
134316 SEPULVEDA BLVD, CULVER CITY , CALIFORNIA 90230 • (310) 398-2583 • boulevardmusic.com
2011 CULVER CITY MUSIC FESTIV AL
PRODUCTION EXPENSES
PRODUCER FEES
JAZZ BAKERY 2000
BLVD MUSIC 12845.08
TOTAL 14845.08
HOSPITALITY
SUBWAY 205
SMART & FINAL 76.27
TRADER JOES 97.55
TOTAL 378.82
HOUSE MGMNT
ZACK MANDELL 673.66
MAX MAYO 695.16
CAL PANTHER 572.75SECURITY
PRODUCTION
TECH ARTISTS 5000
TECH ARTISTS 5000
ARTISTS
INCENDIO 1000
LOS PINGUOS 1500
ROCKY DAWUNI 2200
RICARDO LEMVO 2000
MOLLY'S REVENGE 2000
ALBERT LEE 2200
4 LADS LIVERPOOL 2200
WOODFORD 1800
DWIGHT TRIBLE 200
PONCHO SANCHEZ 3000
TOTAL 18100
ATTACHMENT 4
14MARKETING EXPENSES
MARKETING
GRAPHIC DESIGN 600
PRINTING 1086.53
ADVERTISING 5348
PUBLICITY 1200
ADMIN 1500
TOTAL 9734.53
PRODUCTION
ARTISTS 18100
PRODUCTION 10000
HOSPITALITY 378.82
PRODUCER 14845.08
HOUSE MGT 1941.57
TOTAL 45265.47
MARKETING 9734.53
PRODUCTION 45265.47
TOTAL 55000
INITIAL PAYMNT 55000
TOTAL EXP 55000
BALANCE 0
PUBLICITY
LUCY POLLAK 525
LUCY POLLAK 225
LUCY POLLAK 225
LUCY POLLAK 200
LUCY POLLAK 25
TOTAL 1200
ADVERTISING
LA WEEKLY 600
TIME WARNER 1800
CC OBSERVER 635
FLOWTOWN FILMS 400TV SPOT PROD
MIKE MEYER 50RECORDING
CHAMBERPAK 100
CC NEWS 735
LA TIMES 620
BOB KINSEY 100EDITING
LA TIMES 308
TOTAL 5348
PRINTING
MR PRINTER 1086.53
TOTAL 1086.53
GRAPHIC DESIGN
JOSE MORALES 600
TOTAL 600
15