He turns Sweet 16 this week — even if the adjective has not often been linked to the humor-loving producer of Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival in the courtyard of City Hall.
Debuting as entrepreneur 52 youthful years after his birth, Gary Mandell says that bringing six weeks of musical acts to the stage on Thursday nights at 7 has not grown boring.
“Always new challenges,” he says.
The latest wears a dollar sign,
Besides combing the region for imaginative acts that will appeal widely to the community, his first obligation every spring is to fundraise.
“With Centennial year coming up,” Mr. Mandell says, “when I approach people to sponsor, the line ‘I gave at the office,’ has been replaced by ‘I gave at the Centennial.’ I understand that.”
Fortunately, he added, the Centennial only comes along every hundred years. He figures to be retired before Culver City’s 200th birthday celebration.
Not only Opening Night but the whole season lineup will be different.
When the bluegrass duo of Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley enter the Dale Jones Courtyard this week, they will be the first of six consecutive new acts this month and next.
Why is every act new – for the first time?
“That has been a request from the beginning,” Mr. Mandell said, “not to do a lot of repeat acts.”
Formerly, he believed in repeating certain performers.
“Why hire another Afro Cuban band,” he said, “when the other group is so much better? Know what I mean?
“Look, the Starlight Bowl out in the Valley, they have been doing the Beatles show every year. The people love it. It’s like a ritual.
“If I have a chance to bring Frank Sinatra two years in a row, are you going to quibble about it?”
Any Sinatras in this crowd?
The Thursday nights-at-7 lineup:
- This week — Country/bluegrass music from 2015 Grammy- nominated Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley.
- July 14 — The sounds of World Music from Africa by Peter Mawanga and the Amaravi Movement.
- July 21 — High energy Latin/salsa rhythms, suitable for dancing from Orquesta Tabaco Y Ron.
- July 28 — Pop and rock classics performed in the sounds of golden age 1950s songs by Big Daddy.
- Aug. 4 — Internationally renowned Irish vocalist and flutist Nuala Kennedy and her ensemble.
- Aug. 11 — Soul/R&B with spirit going straight to the heart from Missy Andersen and her band.
For information:
310.398.2583
www.boulevardmusic.com
www.culvercity.org
