City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Page 1 of 4
Meeting Date: 02/28/11 Item Number: A-1
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD AGENDA ITEM: (1) Consideration of the
Music Producer for the 2011 Culver City Music Festival and (2) Award of
Professional Services Agreement(s) as Deemed Appropriate for the Production of
the Festival
Contact Person/Dept.:
Todd Tipton/Community Development
Susan Obrow / Community Development
Phone Number:
(310) 253-5783
(310) 253-5762
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] 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 – Redevelopment Agency (02/24/11);
Gary Mandell (2/8/11); Jazz Bakery (2/14/11); Cultural Affairs Commission (2/14/11);
Downtown Business Association (2/14/11); Chamber of Commerce (2/14/11); Subscribers
of Ongoing Topics, Cultural Affairs Commission, Cultural Events (2/14/11)
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (02/23/11)
Agency General Counsel Approval:
Murray Kane (02/22/11)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by N. Kimball) (02/23/11)
City Manager/Executive Director Approval:
John M. Nachbar (02/24/11)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Culver City Redevelopment Agency Board (Agency
Board) provide direction regarding the selection of the music producer for the 2011
Culver City Music Festival (Festival).
BACKGROUND:
On October 25, 2010, the Agency Board considered recommendations of the
Cultural Affairs Commission regarding Festival programming which included the
suggestion of presenting performers who have not played the series before and
who may draw patrons from a broader demographic . The Agency Board directed
staff to contact KCRW 89.9 Radio (KCRW) to ascertain its interest in programming
and marketing the Festival concerts. KCRW, which was in the midst of master
planning for calendar year 2011, responded with a tentative proposal to program
two concerts featuring world music on a night other than Thursday night due to a
previous commitment.
On February 17, 2011, the Agency Board reviewed KCRW’s proposal and declined
the opportunity to continue discussions with KCRW. Agency Board Members
reiterated their commitment to presenting the concerts on Thursday nights. Further,
the Agency Board discussed the contract renewal for Gary Mandell of Boulevard
Music|1010| and directed staff to consult with the Jazz Bakery regarding the possibility of City of Culver City, California
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that organization presenting some of its Movable Feast programming as part of the
summer concert series.
The Jazz Bakery, which was once located within the Helms Bakery Complex,
recently entered into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with the Culver City
Redevelopment Agency (Agency) to build a performance venue at 9814
Washington Boulevard. The Jazz Bakery is currently presenting Movable Feast |1010|jazz concerts in various venues throughout the Los Angeles region.
Currently, Mr. Mandell receives $55,000 of the allocated $75,000 Festival budget
and assumes the responsibility for marketing as well as for contracting and
supervising the musical artists, sound designer, production staff, house manager,
and security. The Agency retains the remainder for the sponsorship program,
venue operations, additional security, signage, event crew and lighting.
DISCUSSION:
The Jazz Bakery is under the artistic direction of founder Ms. Ruth Price. Its
mission is to promote an appreciation of jazz in all of its forms and to build the next
generation of jazz audiences and jazz artists for America's music. Similar to Mr.
Mandell, The Jazz Bakery is an experienced producer.
Ms. Price has expressed interest in the possibility of partially programming the
Festival in 2011. Ms. Price has proposed programming for the Festival that would
span the spectrum of American jazz and world music with jazz influences. Also,
Ms. Price has confirmed to staff that producing efforts|1010| in Culver City would benefit
the fundraising efforts underway for the Jazz Bakery’s new venue in Downtown
Culver City since it would provide the organization with visibility in the City during
its capital campaign and an opportunity to strengthen its community base.
Producer Options
The Agency Board has the option to award the entire series to Mr. Mandell or
divide the series between Mr. Mandell and Ms. Price. The fiscal impacts
associated with these scenarios are attached for reference.
If Mr. Mandell is selected as the sole producer for this year’s Festival, staff
recommends that he remain responsible for marketing and production
management. If the series is split between Mr. Mandell and Ms. Price, staff
recommends that the responsibilities for marketing and production management be
assigned to staff in order to ensure clear branding for the concert series and its
associated sponsorship campaign, as well as a production plan that delivers
staffing continuity regardless of the programmer. In order for staff to assume those
responsibilities, it would be necessary to use existing program funding to contract
with and supervise professionals in each field. This may be accomplished without
detriment to the musical artists’ budget or additional cost to the Agency. Further, if City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
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the series is divided, staff recommends that the Festival start with the complete set
of Mr. Mandell’s programming followed by the complete set of the Jazz Bakery’s
programming. As a result, the marketing would promote the Festival as a whole
and spotlight the two respected producers.
Separately, radio station KKJZ 88.1 has contacted staff and expressed interest in
participating in the Festival as a marketing sponsor. KKJZ could run radio spots
and promote the Festival on its website and through email blast to its membership.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Currently, the budget for the Festival (8 concerts) is $75,000 and is allocated as
follows:
$10,000 Producer Fee ($1,000 per concert plus $2,000 additional for general producing effort)
$10,000 Sound Services
$10,000 Marketing
$15,000 Event / Maintenance Crew
$20,000 Musical Artists (estimated $2,500 per musical group / one group per concert)
$10,000 Event Production Costs
$75,000
Funds for the Festival have been appropriated in the Culver City Music Festival
Program account (55094410). Additionally, there is an annual sponsorship
program which currently generates approximately $5,000 per year. Staff currently
administers a non-aggressive campaign to secure marketing sponsorships for the
Festival. This campaign will benefit from the steady increase in affordable, web-
based promotional opportunities available in Culver City. The 2011 campaign will
include email blasts and electronic advertising.
Staff estimates that the total projected budget is adequate for the 2011 program
since an increase in web promotion for the series will generate savings that may be
used to engage professional staffing in the key positions of production manager,
publicist, and house manager.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Fiscal impacts associated with concert scenarios.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
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MOTION:
That the Agency Board:
1A. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Mr. Gary Mandell
for services as Producer for eight concerts of 2011 Culver City Music
Festival in an amount not to exceed $55,000;
OR
1B. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Mr. Gary Mandell
for services as Music Producer for six concerts of the 2011 Culver
City Music Festival in an amount not to exceed $21,000 and a
Professional Services Agreement with the Jazz Bakery for services
as Music Producer for two concerts of the 2011 Culver City Music
Festival in the amount of $7,000;
OR
1C. Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Mr. Gary Mandell
for services as Music Producer for four concerts of the 2011 Culver
City Music Festival in an amount not to exceed $14,000 and a
Professional Services Agreement with the Jazz Bakery for services
as Music Producer for four concerts of the 2011 Culver City Music
Festival in the amount of $14,000 of the 2011 Culver City Music
Festival;
AND
2. Authorize Agency General Counsel to review/prepare the necessary
documents; and
3. Authorize the Executive Director to execute such documents on behalf of
the Agency.
Notes:
|1010| Mr. Mandell is being considered as the sole producer for the concert series or as one of two
producers for the series this year. Mr. Mandell has produced the series for a decade and is the
owner of Boulevard Music which is a Culver City-based retail music store, music school, and
intimate concert venue.
|1010| Movable Feast concerts include legendary musicians, cutting edge artists, emerging young
musicians and Los Angeles favorites. Ms. Price has expressed interest in presenting more
Movable Feasts in Culver City and some have already occurred at the Kirk Douglas Theatre and at
the Ivy Substation. Also, planning is underway for the Jazz Bakery to participate in the upcoming
Speak Easy program at the Culver Events Center.
|1010| The Jazz Bakery is able to promote the concerts through its website, an email blast list that
reaches 7-8,000 subscribers, and an active facebook page.
MEETING DATE: February 28, 2011
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of the Music Producer for the 2011 Culver
City Music Festival
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Fiscal impacts associated with concert scenarios 1
2011 CULVER CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL /
FISCAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH CONCERT SCENARIOS
Staff recommends that the Agency Board consider the following possible
options for the 2011 Festival:
PRODUCER #CONCERTS PRODUCER BUDGET AGENCY BUDGET
1. Gary Mandell 8 $55,000 $20,000
2. Gary Mandell 6 $21,000 (Producer & Artist Fees) $47,000
Jazz Bakery 2 $7,000 (Producer & Artist Fees)
3. Gary Mandell 4 $14,000 (Producer & Artist Fees) $47,000
Jazz Bakery 4 $14,000 (Producer & Artist Fees)
ATTACHMENT 1|1013|