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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFestival of Opera & Arts - April 11, 2010 CITY OF PALM DESERT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF REPORT REQUEST: Approve the Festival of Opera and Arts in the City of Palm Desert Civic Center Park SUBMITTED BY: Janis Steele, Parks and Recreation Services Manager DATE: May 21, 2009 CONTENTS: 1. Proposal from the OperaArts 2. Minutes from the February 3, 2009, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Recommendation: By Minute Motion: 1. Approve the request from OperaArts to partner with the City of Palm Desert to offer a Festival of Opera and Arts in the Civic Center Park on April 11, 2010, and waive amphitheater fees. 2. Waive parks staff fees for this event. 3. Approve the advertising of this event on the City's website and in a Brightside article. Discussion: Ms. Arlene Rosenthal approached Staff with a proposal to offer an Opera in the Park event in the Civic Center Park, now titled "Festival of Opera and Arts." Ms. Rosenthal is associated with OperaArts, a non-profit organization whose mission is to establish venues open to the general public for the purpose of increasing awareness and understanding of opera, and to foster an appreciation of opera as an art form. Ms. Rosenthal presented her proposal to the Parks and Recreation Commission on February 3, 2009, (see attached minutes and proposal). The Commission voted unanimously to recommend this event to the City Council. Mayor Spiegel requested that Staff schedule a meeting with Ms. Rosenthal; Assistant City Manager, Ms. Sheila Gilligan; and Senior Management Analyst Pat Scully to discuss the marketing of this event. A meeting was scheduled and held on April 23, 2009. The initial program presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission has been scaled back based on recommendations presented by Staff at this meeting. The event hopes to host six (6) professional opera singers, accompanied by a full orchestra presenting music from opera and operetta. Ms. Gale Enger will perform Staff Report Festival of Opera and Arts in the Civic Center Park Page 2 of 2 May 21, 2009 classical, opera and broadway favorites on piano prior to the show. Arts of all genres will be on display in the park. Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Festive of Opera and Art event to be held in the Civic Center Park amphitheater on April 11, 2010, as part of the City's parks and recreation services, and act as a co-sponsor with OperaArts, waiving the fees for the amphitheater and providing event information on the City's website and in the Brightside newsletter. Staff also recommends that the City Council direct Staff to find a food vendor for the event, and authorize the City Manager to enter into a contact with said vendor. Submitted By: Dep rtment H d: nis Steele Homer Croy arks and Recreation Services Manager ACM for Devel ment Services Approval: Jo n hlmuth Paul Gibson C� y anager Director of Finance CtTY COUNCILA�C'�ION APPROVED DENIED RECEIVED OTHER MEETING DA'�E 5� AYES �1.���1�.S�_ � ���� `�/ NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: VERIFIED BY: �� �' � Original on File wit6 City erk's Office \\WIN21C�groups\DevServicesWanis Steele\Word Files\Staff reports�2009\May\Opera Arts\Opera in the Park.doc January 7, 2009 OperaArts 22475 Longvue Rd. Sky Valley, CA 92241 (760) 323-8353 Dear Friends: OperaArts is a new SOlc3 organization, dedicated to bringing Opera and other cultural arts to the people of the Coachella Valley in as many ways as we can, as much as we are able, for FREE or for very minimal costs, to enable large numbers of people to have the opportunity to experience great music and art. We are a small group of Valley residents who are dedicated to Opera and to exposing as many people as we can to this beautiful genre, accompanied by art and other fine forms of music. We would like to present Opera in the Park at Palm Desert Civic Center park on Sunday,April l lth ,2010. I have attached an explanation of the event and am looking forward to appearing before your board to discuss it with you and take any questions you may have. We are very excited about the future and I look forward to meeting with you soon. Sincerely, �'�� � OperaArts President OperaArts January 7, 2009 Opera In The Park Opera In The Park was created for the purpose of presenting Opera in a park setting for the residents of the Coachella Valley, FREE of charge. It was designed to be for all kinds of people; people who could not afford to see a major Opera production in theater, and people who could; for the handicapped, and the able, for old people, children, and all those in-between. It was created to be a sort of old- fashioned American pastime, when people gathered together in the park, for music, food, togetherness. I started Opera in the Park ten years ago and over the years it has grown tremendously. The year 2008 was the tenth year I produced it and I, and others involved had been discussing the idea of bringing it to Palm Desert. I decided to take a one year hiatus from producing it to focus on my other responsibilities, and getting through this very difficult year of rough economic times. Three of my friends, who are also Opera lovers and I decided we wanted to bring Opera in the Park to another site, and, after spending some time at Palm Desert Civic Center park we fell in love with the venue and knew we had found the right home for our event. Opera in the Park will present a two hour Opera show of some of Opera's most exciting arias, in solo, duet, trip and chorus format. Along with that we will also present some Broadway and Operetta. We are planning to have a pre-show of jazz and currently have a promise from Pat Rizzo to perform with his band. We will have a 33-36 piece orchestra with a conductor; many of whom are the same people we have had for the past ten years. Another component of Opera in the Park will be are visual arts display. Kimberly Nichols, from the new Heather James Gallery, and Steven Biller, editor of Palm Springs Life have committed to helping bring in artists to display their art: oils, acrylics, sculpture, quilting, photography, and all the visual arts we can bring in to give people the opportunity of enjoying the beauty of art while listening to glorious music. Another component of Opera in the Park is allowing other SOlc3 organizations to be present to share with the community what they do on behalf of others, with informational tables, literature, etc. The McCallum Theatre has always been present to do just that, as we have cultural institutions as well. There will be face painters for the children as well and we have an art contest for the middle school children and award prizes for the top 5 drawings of their concepts of Opera in the Park. We also have food vendors; in particular Jensen's and one the the Las Casuelas family,who have already committed to being at the Palm Desert event. OperaArts is a new SOlc3 organization devoted to presenting Opera and other art forms to the people of the Coachella Valley, both free and at very minimal costs. We are a non-membership organization, committed to exposing as many people of all ages to the beauty of Opera, Classical music and art in as many ways as we can. Opera in the Park is underwritten by an amalgam of contributors; Foundations, businesses and individuals. Their generosity is a gift to our community. The pleasure that can be seen on the faces of the thousands of people who attend is the most incredible gift anyone could be rewarded with. This rich community event has become one of the most treasured and looked forward to events of the year. We are very excited about bringing this event to Palm Desert in 2010, on Sunday, April llth. We are in the preliminaries of planning for it and hope you will give us your blessing. We know you will be so very happy with this event and what it will mean to the City of Palm Desert. Sincerely, Arlene Rosenthal Opera in the Park Producer PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Commissioner Housken clarified that approval of this request pertains to the May 9, 2009, event only and that a separate request would be necessary for the event in September. Commissioner Babcock moved to waive the fees for the usage of a pavilion at the Civic Center Park for the Greater Palm Springs Chapter of the California Association of the Deaf and the Deaf Senior Foundation. Commissioner Housken seconded the motion and it carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Guyer, Munson, and Schukart ABSENT. C. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT FOR RANDALL HENDERSON TRAIL Discussion and recommendation concerning request to allow an Eagle Scout Project at the Santa Rosa/San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and Randall Henderson Trail. Ms. Steele said that Staff was contacted by Ms. Bonnie Adkins, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ranger, with a request to allow an Eagle Scout project in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and on the Randall Henderson Trail. This project involves the installation of numbered posts at various locations to provide information about the plants and animals on the trail. This information goes along with a tri-fold handout handed out to visitors that go on the trail so they can learn about the plant and wild life as well as historical facts of the area. Ms. Steele indicated that Staff is requesting the Commission's support for this project. Commissioner Hall asked what type of support is involved. Ms. Steele indicated that there is no financial support involved. Staff would not have to maintain or supervise this project. The only thing Staff is requesting is for the Commission to say that they would like to see this project completed. Staff feels that it is important to have the Commission's support for this project. Commissioner Housken moved to support the Eagle Scout Project for the Randall Henderson Trail. Commissioner Hall seconded the motion and carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Guyer, Munson, and Schukart ABSENT. D. OPERA IN THE PARK Discussion and recommendation concerning a request to support an event called "Opera in the Park" in the Civic Center Park. Ms. Steele introduced Ms. Arlene Rosenthal, OperaArts. Ms. Steele noted that Ms. Rosenthal is coming in advance to give a presentation to the Commission about having an opera in the park event on April 11, 2010. 5 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Ms. Steele added that Ms. Rosenthal is not asking for anything other than the Commission's support for this program. Ms. Rosenthal greeted the Commission and gave an overview of her background. She indicated that she voluntarily produced an event called "Opera in the Park" in Palm Springs for 10 years. She said that this event gathered 2,000 to 3,000 people per year from all over the valley. During these years, she was asked by several people from La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Bermuda Dunes to have a similar event in the Eastern part of the valley. She could only raise funds and run an event at one venue, so she could not comply with that request. Ms. Rosenthal decided to take a hiatus this year due to the economy and produce it next year. During this time she was approached by other opera lovers and community-minded people that want an event to be inclusive involving not just opera. Thus, they formed a brand new 501(c)3 to bring opera, classical music and arts of all forms to the people of the valley "free of charge" or for as little as they can manage depending on the financial support they get. This group fell in love with the Civic Center Park, and Ms. Rosenthal approached Ms. Steele with the request to have the opera in the park event. Ms. Rosenthal said that Staff was wonderFul and enthusiastic. She indicated that they are a five-member Board where none of them are big-society people or millionaires, just people who took this endeavor and decided that they would like to have a festival of music and the arts. She indicated that the producer is an orchestra contractor who will bring a 33- piece orchestra with most musicians from Los Angeles who play in the LA Philharmonic and other orchestras. She added that they also have a music director, and a conductor. They also have the support from Palm Springs Life whose editor will help bring artists from the valley to display art. Ms. Rosenthal clarified that nothing will be for sale, but they are asking authorization to have food at the event. She indicated that their vision is to have a combination of music and art. She envisioned having a jazz quartet or a string and wind quintet followed by an opera show. Ms. Rosenthal would produce 15,000 program books that would be mailed preceded by 15,000 flyers for these events. Ms. Rosenthal said that they would love to be in the Civic Center Park. She noted that this event would draw many people. She noted that she has raised half the money in pledges already and indicated that they are not asking the Commission anything other than their support and perhaps 6 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 having their program included with the informational pieces that are sent out with events happening at the park. Ms. Rosenthal added that this organization will also be doing events with the Joslyn Senior Center but the opera in the park will be the main event. Ms. Rosenthal thanked the Commission for the opportunity to give her presentation. Commissioner Hall asked specifically what kind of support is being requested from the City of Palm Desert. Ms. Rosenthal answered that to have their blessing and perhaps exposure vis-a-vis print media, such as the newsletter that is mailed to residents, so they know of this program. Ms. Rosenthal added that they will continue to mail the 15,000 programs and flyers as they have done in the past. They will also have wide media support that will disseminate their information. She added that they reach out to seniors and children. They will have a shuttle and would like to have the youth component so that they are exposed to music when they are young. They will have a group of students from the high school volunteer and provide face painting and other activities. This will be a real community event. Commissioner Housken asked if they anticipate charging for this event. Ms. Rosenthal answered that this event would be free to the public. They also would provide events for free to the Joslyn Senior Center and the Rancho Mirage Library. If they were to put on anything that would cost a fee it would be minimal. Commissioner Babcock asked if the City Council would consider giving some money and wondered if OperaArts is asking for any help. Ms. Rosenthal said that the waiver of the park fees for the first year would be great. She added that she would like to prove to the City of Palm Desert that this is an event that the City can be proud of. She continued that it would be great if the City sponsored the event later on, but she would like to prove that this is an event that will bring good things to the City first and then they could talk about later years. She noted that she builds funding with many people giving a little, rather than having a few people giving a lot. Mayor Spiegel suggested, upon the Commission's approval for this event, that a meeting with Ms. Rosenthal, Sheila Gilligan, Assistant City Manager for Community Services and Pat Scully, Senior Management Analyst, 7 G:IDevServiceslMonica Lo�edolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Parks and Recreation Staff and him. Ms. Steele indicated they could meet afterwards. Commissioner Hall asked if there is anything scheduled for this date. Ms. Steele answered that there is not. Ms. Rosenthal offered that they planned on April 11, 2010, so there is nice weather and it does not conflict with Easter. Commissioner Dawson moved to recommend the Commission's approval of allowing the Opera in the Park event on April 11, 2010, and for Staff to forward this request to City Council for approval of a waiver of fees. Commissioner Hall seconded the motion and carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Guyer, Munson, and Schukart ABSENT. Ms. Rosenthal thanked the Commission. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE VII1. REPORTS AND UPDATES A. CIVIC CENTER PARK VANDALISM Mr. Niemczak informed the Commission that on January 20, 2009, Staff was notified that one of the small pavilions at Civic Center Park was vandalized. Police were notified and took fingerprints but Staff has not heard if they have determined who did the damage. Mayor Spiegel asked what was done exactly. Ms. Niemczak explained that damage consisted of breaking up some tables and tore some tiles off the roof. The police said that the perpetrators crossed the bridge by the wash area. Staff is looking into installing �ighting in that area and perhaps a camera. Mayor Spiegel agreed with the installation of a camera. Chairman Barnard asked if the tables were bolted down. Mr. Niemczak answered that they were not. Commissioner Babcock asked if given the constant problems in the park, if the police driving by when they get change shifts would help. Ms. Steele noted that the vandalism happened at the Civic Center Park, which is where the officers come on and off duty. Mr. Niemczak added that he has seen motorcycle officers cruising through the park quite often. s G:IDevServiceslMonira LoredolWord DatalParks6ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09.min.doc