HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 WinterConcertSeries2007-2008
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AGENDA STATEMENT
HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: March 13, 2008
SUBJECT: Winter Concert Series 2007-2008 Update
Prepared by John Hartnett, Heritage & Cultural Arts Supervisor
ATTACHMENTS: None
RECOMMENDATION: Receive Report and provide direction to Staff
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: Staff is interested in receiving input from the Heritage and Cultural
Arts Commission on the recently completed 2007-2008 Winter Concert Series. This was the fourth year
that the City offered this type of program, and Staff welcomes Commission input and potential new ideas
as we head into the fifth year of programming. The following is a re-cap of the history of the Winter
Concert Series program:
In Fiscal Year 2004-2005, the Heritage and Cultural Arts Division of Parks and Community Services
introduced a new concert series at Old St. Raymond's Church. The purpose of the Winter Concert Series
was to offer additional performing arts programs as a balance to the Summer Concert Series and to also
showcase the Heritage Center and Old Saint Raymond's Church to the general public. An admission fee
of $10 for adults and $5 for children was charged in order to offset most of the direct cost for the program.
Promotion included advertising in the Tri-Valley Herald, posters displayed at City facilities, postcards
promoting the concerts distributed at City facilities, and press releases sent out prior to the beginning of
the Winter Concert Series season. Additionally, the concerts were advertised in the Dublin Activity Guide
and on the City's website.
In the first year, four concerts were planned each month from November through February with the
following artists:
November Guitarist Jim Earp
December Bay Bells
January What's Up Big Band
February Gordy Ohliger Banjo-ology
Although attendance figures aze not available for the first year concerts, $1,990 in income was generated
from the concerts for a net cost to the City of $110.
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ITEM NO: 8.1
G:\HERITAGE COMMISSION\AGENDA STMTS\2008\3-13-08 Winter Concerts Update.doc '
The Winter Concert series continued for the next two years and the table below identifies the performer,
date and attendance for each concert:
Event 2005-2006 Tvpe Date & Time Attendance
Spooktacular - Dr. Meridian & Countess Family Event Sat. - Oct. 29 - 7 pm 27
Oak, Ash and Thorn British/Scottish Sat. - Nov.12 - 7 pm 34
The Gifts of the Magi Theatrical Vignettes Sat. - Dec. 3- 7 pm 68
James Robinson, Jazz Guitarist Solo Artist Sat. - Jan. 14 - 7 pm 70
Bell & Branch Irish Duo Sat. - Feb.l l- 7 pm 48
TOTAL 247
Event 2006-2007 Tvpe Date & Time Attendance
Teen Spirit Youth Jam Sat. - Oct. 28 - 7 pm 12
Rafael Manriquez Latin Music Sat. - Nov.l l- 7 pm 16
Fred McCarty Holiday Solo Sun. - Dec. 10 - 2 pm 14
Michael McNevin Guitar/Storyteller Sat. - Jan. 13 - 7 pm 16
Jessica Callahan Pianist Solo Sun.- Feb. 11 - 2 pm 32
TOTAL 90
As a result of the significant decrease in attendance for the 2006-2007 Concert Series, in May 2007, the
Commission considered potential reasons for the decrease in attendance and made the following
suggestions for the 2007-2008 Concert Series:
• Avoid events on three-day weekends. Avoid events targeted to teenagers.
• Go back to only offering 4 events per year (October's event typically runs into the Halloween
weekend with families committed to other activities).
• Target market an audience for each event with direct mailings to previous participants of the
Winter and Summer Concert Series.
• Develop individual flyers for each event rather than just a postcard that promotes the entire season.
• Conduct an event or two at the Dublin Library Community Room and/or the Senior Center (the
Library has a newly donated Grand Piano that could be used for a concert pianist).
For the 2007-2008 Concert Series, Staff acted on these suggestions, doing individual promotion for each
concert and targeting a specific audience for each. Additionally, concerts were moved around between
City facilities with two concerts at St. Raymond's Church, and one each at the Senior Center and Dublin
Library.
As a result, attendance increased significantly as shown in the following table.
Event 2007-2008 Tvae Date & Time Attendance
Dave Rocha Jazz Trio Sat. - Nov.17 - 7 pm 66
Bay Bells Holiday Music Sat. - Dec.15 - 7 pm 107
3 O'Clock Jump Swing Band Sun. - Jan. 12 - 2 pm 88
Melinda Morse Piano Concert Sat. - Feb. 24 - 7 pm 48
TOTAL 309
Given the success of this year's concerts, Staff recommends continuing with the approaches for marketing
and scheduling adopted in 2007-2008. Additionally, Staff is interested in the types and style of music that
the Commission would be interested in scheduling for the 2008-2009 Winter Concert Series.
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RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission
receive the report and provide direction to Staff.
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