City Council Votes for Summer Concerts to Return

At the Culver City City Council meeting on Monday, May 22, 2023, the council unanimously voted to approve the 2023 Summer Concert Series and issue a Request For Proposals for the 2024 Summer Concert Series. Council member Freddy Puza offered after the meeting ” This is another way to build community and I hope that the entertainment will represent a diverse range of styles and artists.”

At the behest of former Mayor Jim Clarke, now the leader of the Culver Arts Foundation, the return of the Summer Concert series was put on the the council’s agenda, with a change of location; rather than the space in front of City Hall, the concerts would take place at the Culver Steps, an area now designated as the Downtown Plaza.

The proposed concerts would take place on Thursdays in July, August and September, an expanded schedule from the six-week frame that previously defined the shows, using “local artists and previously featured musicians,” according to the staff report. The Culver Arts Foundation would serve as a significant sponsor, offering up to $30,000. “Staff has requested [additional monies] to create a 2024 concert series.”

Darrel Menthe of the Downtown Business Association spoke from the podium, noting that bringing people downtown was good for local businesses. “There’s been an idea that people bring their chairs [for the concert] and then they took their chairs home.” Menthe felt that the concerts had been a good thing for the downtown, and that it would be a good thing to bring them back. 

Clarke spoke from the podium as well, reiterated the Culver Arts Foundation’s commitment to supporting the musical events. 

Ken Mand, who also identified himself as a board member of the Culver Arts Foundation felt it would “bring back to some warmth… and help to build community. We need a [broader and more open] way to book musicians … but that’s a conversation for next year.” 

The city council members voted unanimously to approve the return of the shows. 

Dates and names will be announced as the concert series is moved forward.

Judith Martin-Straw

 

The Actors' Gang