HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.2 Cultural Arts Fall 2017 Quarterly Report
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STAFF REPORT
JOINT PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION AND
HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
DATE: March 8, 2018
TO: Honorable Chair and Commissioners
FROM:
Colleen Tribby, Interim Parks & Community Services Director
SUBJECT:
Cultural Arts Fall 2017 Quarterly Report
Prepared by: Laura Johnston, Heritage and Cultural Arts Supervisor
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Commission will receive a report on Cultural Arts class attendance and Special
Events attendance during the fall 2017 season, September through December 2017.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
DESCRIPTION:
The Heritage and Cultural Arts Division fosters meaningful connections through
engaging programs, memorable experiences and inspiring spaces that celebrate our
diverse community and rich heritage. The following is a summary of Cultural Arts
classes, programs and events offered by the Division to meet these goals during the fall
session, September-December 2017. (Heritage programs are covered in an annual
report, usually presented in September.)
Cultural Arts Classes
Cultural Arts Classes provide a unique social setting for meeting new people or sharing
cultural arts experiences with friends and family members. The variety of classes
offered provides opportunities for community members of all ages to try new creative
endeavors or refine current artistic and performance skills. Classes are taught by
contracted specialty instructors and are typically offered from four to eight weeks in
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duration.
A total of 285 participants registered for Cultural Classes during fall 2017. The most -
attended adult classes this fall included Still Life Acrylic Painting and Irish Dance. The
most-attended youth classes included Kindermusik, Bollywood Bugs, Hip -Hop Dance,
and Irish Dance. These four classes accounted for 163 participants. Seventeen of the
30 classes offered ran at 75 percent or greater capacity, and five of those classes were
at 100 percent capacity. While the cancellation rate increased five perc ent, attendance
grew 12 percent compared to fall 2016, and the average number of participants per
class increased. Several new classes were introduced this fall including Fundamentals
of Improv Games and Theater for Adults, Indian Cultural Dance: Kathak fo r Beginners,
and Kids Beginner Break Dance and Hula.
Attendance Type 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Resident 229 218 226 236 165
Non-Resident 56 36 78 39 21
Total Registration 285 254 304 275 186
Courses Held 30 32 39 34 28
Avg. Registration/Class 9.5 7.9 7.8 8 6.6
Courses Offered 60 58 60 65 55
Cancellation Rate 50% 45% 35% 48% 49%
Special Events
Splatter
Dublin’s sixth annual Splatter festival, held Saturday, September 16, 2017, drew
approximately 18,000, up 80 percent from the prior year. Staff att ributes the increase to
the perfect weather and general uptick in park attendance since The Wave opened.
Splatter featured live music and dance on three stages this year. The Main Stage again
featured mostly pop dance music, while the Side Yard Stage near the fountain featured
indie rock and singer-songwriters. The new amphitheater stage featured music and
dance by ethnic community groups and school groups. Several new water -themed
activities were offered, as was a Chalk Walk Art Contest, which was so popu lar Staff
had to expand the drawing area by more than a dozen squares.
Heritage Music Jam
This ongoing program, which offers Irish and Old Tyme music two weeks a month, and
Bluegrass two weeks a month, continued to attract on average 17 participants per
month.
Harvest Fair
Unfortunately, due to excessive smoke from the Nor Cal fires and Bay Area Air Quality
Management District (BAAQMD) warnings about very unhealthy air quality, the City of
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Dublin cancelled the annual Harvest Fair out of concern for its participants, volunteers
and staff. The Harvest Fair is an outdoor event that attracts mostly small children and
their families, and many volunteers are seniors. The BAAQMD warnings had specifically
advised both age groups to remain indoors.
Ghosts of Dublin
Heritage Park and Museums hosted its third annual Ghosts of Dublin event, Friday and
Saturday, October 27 and 28. The event was again a sell-out. There were 307
participants taking a flashlight tour through the Dublin Pioneer Cemetery, which was as
educational as it was eerie. Tour guides explained the symbolism of some of the
artwork on the headstones and told stories behind some of Dublin’s well -known
pioneers. Members of the NorCal Paranormal Project shared their findings from their
paranormal research throughout the park, and took a group through the cemetery with
their paranormal research equipment. Participants were treated to cookies, popcorn,
and hot cider, and bought hand-made fall items made by the Heritage Park and
Museums craft committee.
Holiday Tree Lighting
An estimated 600 guests attended the annual City Hall Tree Lighting event on Thursday
November 30, 2017, to kick off the holiday season, The Dublin High School Jazz Band
and Dublin Unified School District Children’s Choir performed ho liday songs. Santa
Claus arrived with a group of teenage “elves” from the Youth Advisory Committee
assisting him in handing out candy canes to the crowd. Members of the Dublin High
School Key Club served cookies and warm drinks to the crowd following the
performance.
Holiday Teas
Heritage Park and Museums kicked off its holiday season with the three annual Holiday
Teas on December 2. A total of 67 people attended, including 35 children and family
members at the Children’s Tea, and a large group from the D ublin San Ramon
Women’s Club at one of the Country Teas. Teen volunteers from Dublin High School’s
AVID club assisted Staff with set-up, tea service and clean up. Heritage Park and
Museums volunteers sold several holiday gift items created by our craft com mittee. The
Dublin High School Culinary Academy prepared the menu, including chocolate -dipped
strawberries, tea sandwiches, caprese skewers, and scones.
Breakfast with Santa
The Annual Breakfast with Santa, in coordination with the Dublin High School Mus ic
Boosters, took place on Saturday, December 9 at the Shannon Community Center.
Three seatings were offered, and a total of 439 guests attended. The Dublin Lions Club
prepared hot pancakes, which high school volunteers served with sausage, fresh fruit,
juice and coffee. The Dublin High School Band and Choir provided live music, and
midway through each seating, Santa Claus entered to greet the attendees. After each
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breakfast, Santa was available for family photos.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
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