CACMIN 11 11 2004
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CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
MINUTES
November 11, 2004
I. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 11 :03
a.m. in the Study Session Room of the La Quinta Civic Center. Vice Chairperson
Brodsky presided over the meeting until the arrival of Chairperson Loudon at 11 :05
a.m. Commissioner Lane led the Pledge of Allegiance.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Commissioner Else Loudon
Commissioner Sheldon Brodsky
Commissioner Andrea Gassman
Commissioner Elaine Reynolds
Commissioner Charlene Lane
STAFF PRESENT:
Dodie Horvitz, Community Services Director
II. PUBLIC COMMENT- None
III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes of October 14, 2004
B. Department Report for September 2004
C. Financial Report for October 2004
It was moved by Commissioners Reynolds/Lane to approve the Consent
Calendar. 4-0-1, with Commissioner Lane abstaining as she was not present
at the October meeting. Commissioner Gassman stated that the minutes
from the September 27, 2004 Joint Meeting with the City Council did not
reflect what she said and she did not appreciate being misquoted. Staff
stated that the minutes from September 27 were generated by the City
Clerk's office and that Commissioner Gassman's comment would be
forwarded to the City Clerk's office.
Commissioner Loudon asked that all Cultural Arts Commissioners be
acknowledged at the Veteran's Day event.
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Commissioner Brodsky stated that the Berliner's name is misspelled in the
minutes of October 14. Staff stated that the name will be corrected in the
minutes prior to submittal to the City Council for approval.
V. PUBLIC HEARING - None
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Future Events and Entertainment:
Commissioner Loudon asked for a vote as to whether the Commissioners
would like to host the "Concert Under the Stars" (Concert) without chairs,
pursuant to the City Council's direction of September 27. The Commission
agreed that chairs were not necessary.
The Commission discussed the letter from the Berliners regarding their
inability to perform on April 17, 2005 at the Concert. Commissioner
Reynolds stated that they should be invited to play at the 2006 concert, as
this would give them enough time to thoroughly prepare. Commissioner
Brodsky stated that Mrs. Berliner represented they would be available on
April 17, and the Commission granted everything the Berliners needed such
as the performance amount, and extra funds for the technician and sound
system.
Commissioner Brodsky stated that Mrs. Berliner took the Commission's time
and represented they were interested and then sent a letter stating they
could not accommodate the Commission's request. Commissioner Brodsky
recommended the Commission not use the Berliner's for future events.
Commissioner Reynolds disagreed with Commissioner Brodsky, stating that
she appreciated the Berliner's honesty and wanting to present a performance
that they were comfortable with and needing more time to practice.
Commissioner Gassman agreed with Commissioner Brodsky. She stated that
Mrs. Berliner set the time, date, cost and then backed out. She felt that this
was unprofessional.
Commissioner Brodsky stated that he will not be available to attend the
January 16 concert and asked if the Las Adelitas Mariachi could perform at
the Concert in April. He suggested that the concert may be a "Cinco de
Mayo" theme. Commissioner Reynolds stated the La Quinta Hotel offers a
very successful Cinco de Mayo program and that we should not compete.
Commissioner Brodsky stated that he did not feel that we'd be attracting the
same audience.
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Commissioner Lane asked how the concert series would be advertised. Staff
reported that because of the pre-planning taking place now, the events could
be advertised in the Community Services Department brochure that will be
delivered to each residence in January for the months of January through
May. Staff also stated that in the past, the City has mailed postcards to all
residents reminding them of the events in addition to press releases.
Staff mentioned that Mr. Marty Lipson had provided a proposal for the
concert in April. The e-mail received from Mr. Lipson was provided for the
Commission's review. Commissioner Loudon asked if staff had heard Mr.
Lipson play, in which staff responded that Mr. Lipson is unknown to the
City. Commissioner Loudon stated that staff should find out where Mr.
Lipson is performing and listen to him.
Commissioner Lane stated that she would like to host a theme concert and
that we should provide chairs for the audience.
Commissioner Gassman reminded Commissioner Lane that the City Council
had requested no chairs be provided at the concert.
The Commission discussed the concert for January in which the Jazz Band
from Twentynine Palms Marine Base be invited along with the La Quinta
High School Jazz Band.
It was determined by the Commission that the concerts should be held on
Saturday nights, from 6:30-8:00 on the Civic Center Campus. Due to
weather and the need for equipment, the City Hall Courtyard and Senior
Center will be used in addition to the amphitheater.
Commissioner Loudon stated that she may be able to have a piano delivered
and set up at the Senior Center for less than $1,200 which was quoted by
Kathryn Hull.
For the February concert, the Commission discussed who would perform and
for how long. Commissioner Loudon discussed having a talented student
from La Quinta High School perform instead of the young man that is
sponsored by the Coachella Valley Arts Alliance. Commissioner Reynolds
stated that the goal of the concert is to expose the community to music and
we should offer the best. The Commission asked staff to work with Kathryn
Hull to arrange for top quality performers for the February concert.
The Commission asked for a comprehensive budget for the concert series.
Staff stated that due to the limited time frame, the Commission's
recommendation will need to be considered by the City Council at the
December 7 meeting and the Commission does not meet again until
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December 9. The Commission directed staff to put together the program for
City Council consideration at the December 7 meeting.
The following schedule is being proposed for City Council consideration:
January 1 5
Jazz bands from LQHS, College of the Desert
and/or 29Palms Base
Piano concert
No concert due to the Arts Festival
Mr. Lipson and Las Adelitas Mariachi
Things on Strings
February 1 9
March
April 1 6
May 21
Commissioner Loudon asked if more than cookies and punch could be served
at the concerts, she would like to see appetizers offered along with coffee
and tea. Commissioner Lane asked if a wine bar could be set up for the
events.
Commissioner Lane stated that she had met with Kathryn Huff of the Palm
Springs Museum and the Museum would be willing to host a private tour of
the museum, however, she'stated that this would require transportation to
the museum for residents. The event would consist of one hour of museum
time and one hour of time in the education room in which participants could
express themselves. Commissioner Lane stated that other communities host
such events.
Commissioner Loudon stated that the Steinway Society has been established
in the Coachella Valley.
It was moved by Commissioners Gassman/Brodsky to direct staff to prepare
a program for City Council consideration at the December 7 meeting.
Unanimous.
VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS
A. Berliner Letter
VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
A Attendance at Community Functions - Commissioner Gassman attended
the La Quinta High School Homecoming football game, Embassy Suites art
piece unveiling, Bighorn Sheep unveiling and two Umbrella Shows.
Commissioner Reynolds stated that she attended all of the above excluding
the football game.
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XI. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioners Reynolds/Brodsky to adjourn the Cultural Arts
Commission meeting. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 12:35 PM.
unity Services Director
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Meeting in Review
Cultural Arts Commission
November 11, 2004
Commissioners Present: Sheldon Brodsky (Vice Chair)
Andrea Gassman
Else Loudon (Chairperson)
Elaine Reynolds
Charlene Lane
Business Items:
The following schedule is being proposed for City Council consideration at
the December 7, 2004 City Council meeting:
January 1 5
Jazz bands from LQHS, College of the
Desert and/or 29Palms Base
Piano concert
No concert due to the Arts Festival
Mr. Lipson and Las Adelitas Mariachi
Things on Strings
February 1 9
March
April 1 6
May 21
It was determined by the Commission that the concerts should be held on
Saturday nights, from 6:30-8:00 on the. Civic Center Campus. Due to
weather and the need for equipment, the City Hall Courtyard and Senior
Center will be used in addition to the amphitheater.
It was moved by Commissioners Gassman/Brodsky to direct staff to prepare
a program for City Council consideration at the December 7 meeting.
Correspondence and Written Materials:
Berliner Letter: The Commission discussed not using the Berliners in the
future due to their unprofessionalism in committing to a concert then backing
out.
Next Meeting: Thursday, December 9, 2004
7:00 p.m.