HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 Winter Concert Series 2006-07 19'/�`I1f,• 82
AGENDA STATEMENT
HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
� ZIFO���° MEETING DATE: May 10, 2007
SUBJECT: Winter Concert Series 2006-2007
Report 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 Winter Concert Series. This was the third year that the City
offered this type of program, and Staff welcomes Commission input and potential new,ideas as we head
into the forth'year of programming. The following is a re-cap of the history of the Winter Concert Series
program:
In FY 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. In the first year, four concerts
were planned each month from November through February, with a fifth concert added in October of
2005-2006. The budget for the series entertainment the past two years has been $2,600. Admission has
been charged to offset most of the direct cost for the program. The concerts are general admission, $10 for
adults and$5 for children,with tickets sold at the door. The Church seats 84 people.
Promotion each year for the Winter Concerts has included advertising in the Tri-Valley Herald, posters
displayed at City facilities, two thousand postcards promoting the five concerts distributed at City
facilities, and press releases sent out prior to the beginning of the Winter Concert Series season.
Additionally,the concerts are advertised in the Dublin Activity Guide and on the City's website.
In the past, some concerts selected contain "heritage" music from a broad range of historic periods, as
well as educational components sharing ,historical facts and amusing anecdotes throughout the
performances.
COPIES TO:
ITEM NO. 8.1
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Most of the concerts have attracted a multigenerational audience, usually with a large percentage of
seniors and active adults. Public feedback from attendees has consistently been very positive. Many have
commented that they would like future concerts to continue with the educational and interactive elements.
This past winter, the Concert Series experienced a significant drop in attendance from the previous year.
The following is a comparison of attendance figures:
Event 2005-2006 Type 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.11 —7 pm 48_
TOTAL 247
Event 2006-2007 Type Date & Time Attendance
Teen Spirit Youth Jam Sat. —Oct. 28—7 pm 12
Rafael Manriquez Latin Music Sat. —Nov.11 —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
Some observations or comments regarding the 2006-2007 Winter Concerts include the following:
• This past year, Staff offered for the first time, 2 events on a Sunday afternoon.
• Two events (Nov. 11, Jan. 13) fell on a three-day holiday weekend, and the October event fell on
the weekend before Halloween.
• For the second year in a row, Staff targeted a youth audience, without success.
• The mix of entertainment seems consistent with previous years with the exception of no theatrical
production in 2006-2007.
• Staff did some target mailings for the final concert,which experienced better participation.
Some preliminary ideas or suggestions for the 2007-08 Winter Concert Series include:
• 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).
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission receive the report and provide
direction to Staff.
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