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Home My WebLink About2025-06-05; Arts Commission; 04; 2025 TGIF Summer Concerts in the Park Series Meeting Date: June 5, 2025 To: Arts Commission From: Thomas Johnston, Cultural Arts Manager Staff Contact: Thomas Johnston, Programs & Venue Coordinator thomas.johnston@carlsbadca.gov or 442-339-2093 Subject: 2025 TGIF Summer Concerts in the Park Series District: All Recommended Action Receive an update on the 2025 TGIF Summer Concerts in the Park series and sponsors. Executive Summary This staff report provides an overview of the 2025 TGIF Summer Concerts in the Parks season, including details on safety, band line-up, and operations. Explanation & Analysis For 39 years, Carlsbad’s TGIF Concerts in the Park have brought together residents and visitors each summer to enjoy live music in local parks. As the longest running municipally sponsored event in San Diego County, TGIF has evolved from a small community gathering into a large- scale concert series drawing more than 30,000 attendees each season. 2025 Schedule and Performers This year marks the 38th season of TGIF Concerts in the Parks. With approval from city leadership, staff scheduled nine concert dates: four concerts at Stagecoach, three concerts at Calavera Hills, and two concerts at Alga Norte Community Parks. ARTS COMMISSION Staff Report Staffing Recruitment and hiring of the part-time summer TGIF crew members begins several months before the concert season to ensure that all crew members are hired and ready to work by the second week of June. The city was fortunate to have 19 crew members from the 2024 season return for 2025; with the handful of new hires, a full crew of 27 individuals will support the concerts this season. Concert Safety, Parking and Accessibility In 2024, the city implemented enhanced safety and crowd management measures aligned with industry standards to support the continued success of the event; the same measures will be in place for the 2025 season. Key measures included: • Installation of perimeter fencing and security screening areas managed by the Carlsbad Police Department • Deployment of the Police Department’s mobile command vehicle and Skywatch Tower • Onsite presence of police officers, community resource officers, police explorers, park rangers, and Elite Security staff • Placement of “No Event Parking” signage in impacted neighborhoods to deter overflow parking • Enforcement of “Safer Streets Together” emergency measures, including citations for bike lane violations • Restriction of parking lot access to ADA placard holders only • Promotion of alternative transportation options (rideshare, biking, shuttles, carpools) in collaboration with the Communications & Engagement Department Location Date Entertainment Genre Stagecoach Park June 20 The Highwayman Show Vintage country June 27 Full Strength Top 40, Funk and dance July 11 The Reflexx 80’s pop and new wave July 18 The Cold Fact Soulful R&B Calavera Hills Park July 25 Kimba Light Cumbia Aug. 1 Shakedown String Band Americana/Jam Band Aug. 8 The Honeydrops Doo-wop, rockabilly from 40s – 60s Alga Norte Park Aug. 15 Wayward Sons Power cord rock nostalgia Aug. 22 Euphoria Brass Band Modern New Orleans - style jazz II Corporate Sponsorship At the direction of the City Council, a pilot sponsorship program was introduced to support the concert series in 2024, which generated $20,000 in sponsorship revenue. This year the program offered four sponsorship tiers: Headliner ($20,000), Opener ($10,000), Up and Comer ($5,000) and Bike Valet ($1,500). The Carlsbad Charitable Foundation is returning as a $10,000 sponsor for the 2025 season. Three-Year Concert Schedule At the January 10, 2025, City Council meeting, staff requested that the City Council consider a three-year concert calendar. This extended timeline aimed to allow ample planning time, facilitate inter-departmental collaboration to avoid scheduling conflicts with other programs, activities, and maintenance needs, and address staffing challenges due to school-age crew members being available only from late June to early August. Below are the approved dates for 2026 and 2027. 2026 June 19 – Stagecoach June 26 – Stagecoach July 3 (Holiday - no concert) July 17 - Stagecoach July 24 – Calavera Hills July 31 – Calavera Hills August 7 – Calavera Hills August 14 – Alga Norte August 21 – Alga Norte 2027 June 18 – Stagecoach June 25 - Stagecoach July 2 - Stagecoach July 9 - Stagecoach July 16 – Calavera Hills July 23 – Calavera Hills July 30 – Calavera Hills August 6 – Alga Norte August 13 – Alga Norte Community Engagement An extensive communications plan is executed to promote TGIF Concerts in the Park that includes media releases, website, social media, e-newsletters and signage. Fiscal Analysis None. Next Steps Staff will continue to partner with Parks & Recreation, Transportation, Fleet, Police and Fire Departments to present the nine concert series. Environmental Evaluation The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by CEQA Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to report on the 2025 TGIF Summer Concerts in the Park series is an organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA Guidelines. Exhibits None. Thomas Johnston, Programs and Venues Coordinator Library & Cultural Arts Department June 5, 2025 TGIF 2025 Season Overview C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts ITEM 5: TGIF 25 TODAY’S PRESENTATION 2025 Overview City Council direction Security enhancements Concert line up & locations Conclusion 2 C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 2025 OVERVIEW 3 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 Nine concerts Three community parks Enhanced safety measures FREE bike valet Corporate sponsorships C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts CONCERT SCHEDULE & LOCATIONS PARK DISTRICT DATE STAGECOACH COMMUNITY PARK 4 June 20 June 27 July 11 July 18 CALAVERA HILLS COMMUNITY PARK 2 July 25 Aug 1 Aug 8 ALGA NORTE COMMUNITY PARK 2 Aug 15 Aug 22 4 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 {'city of Carlsbad Cultural Arts Enhanced Security Measures 5 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 To ensure a safe and welcoming experience for all: Clearly defined event perimeters Multiple security screening gateways Emergency egress gates Onsite Carlsbad Police presence, including: •Skywatch surveillance tower •Mobile Command Center Carlsbad Fire Department & Life Safety team onsite C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts Enhanced Security Measures 6 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 TGIF CONCERTS IN THE PARKS: STAGECOACH COMMUNITY PARK 2025 -Trash Dumpsters D Free Speech Zone-Open Air -TGIFBoxCars -TGIF Crew/Performer Paddock (6) 10x20 -SLlOO Mobile Stage -Dance Floor -• ca rlsbad PD Skywatch Tower Republic Service mini-dumpster -carlsbad Library-lOxlO • • Republic Services -lOxlO Carlsbad EMS/Life Safety -lOxlO - A LotFull A ADA parking only /i Bike Valet ----<i> . \ \ 0 0 ADA ONLY A Parking Lot closes to the public @ 3 p.m. I::. Parking Lot closes to the public @ 8 a.m. -EMSSTAGINGONLY \ \ STAFF PARKING ONLY Entrance Gate Security Screen Gate Security Gate Secondary Egress Gate Walking path to lower lot Pop Up Art Activation 0 Bike Valet {city of Carlsbad Cu ltural Arts Sponsorship Opportunities 7 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 Communication & Engagement identified a framework for corporate sponsorship: A two-tiered giving program was established: Title Sponsorship - $10,000 Event Sponsorship -$5,000 Title sponsorships:Carlsbad Charitable Foundation C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION 8 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 Approved three-year schedule and locations Maintain safety enhancements introduced in 2024 Continue corporate sponsorship opportunities Return family-friendly art activities at all nine concerts C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 2025Nine Concerts 2026Nine concerts 2027Nine concerts June 20 June 19 June 18 June 27 June 26 June 25 July 4 (Holiday)July 3 (Holiday)July 2 July 11 July 10 July 9 July 18 July 17 July 16 July 25 July 24 July 23 August 1 July 31 July 30 August 8 August 7 August 6 August 15 August 14 August 13 August 22 August 21 August 20 Stagecoach Calavera Hills Alga Norte ITEM 5: TGIF 25 9 C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 2025 Season 11 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 Genre: vintage country Step into the heart of outlaw-country and join the celebration with The Highwayman Show. STAGECOACH COMMUNITY PARK JUNE 20, 2025 R¥M'----=R~n C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 12 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 Genre: Top 40, funk and dance Voted best local band and best cover band for an incredible five years in a row, Full Strength brings unbeatable energy, endless hits and pure excitement. STAGECOACH COMMUNITY PARK JUNE 28, 2025 C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 13 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 Genre: 80s pop and new wave Crank up the volume and get ready to party with The Reflexx, Southern California’s ultimate classic alternative experience. STAGECOACH COMMUNITY PARK JULY 11, 2025 C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 14 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 Genre: soulful R&B This award-winning band lights up the stage with an unstoppable blend of funk, R&B and psychedelic rock. STAGECOACH COMMUNITY PARK JULY 18, 2025 C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 15 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 CALAVERA HILLS COMMUNITY PARK JULY 25, 2025 Genre: Cumbia This high-energy, tropical powerhouse fuses salsa, timba, merengue, bachata, reggaeton — and even a splash of hip-hop and funk — into an unstoppable dance party. C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 16 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 CALAVERA HILLS COMMUNITY PARK AUG 1, 2025 Genre: Americana/jam band Shakedown String Band fires up the stage with high-energy Americana, country and psychedelic grooves. CQ as C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 17 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 CALAVERA HILLS COMMUNITY PARK AUG 8, 2025 Genre: doo-wop, rockabilly from 40s-60s The Honeydrops are a vibrant, female-fronted five-piece that brings vintage R&B, Rockabilly, Jump Blues, Soul and Doo- Wop to life with style and rhythm. ·--.J. ~ •.. Vl]{](E l]{](D]lJD ill) [PJ (DJ D C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 18 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 ALGA NORTE COMMUNITY PARK AUG 15, 2025 Genre: power chord rock nostalgia Wayward Sons delivers a high-energy, nostalgia-packed rock show filled with the biggest anthems of the '80s. C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 19 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 ALGA NORTE COMMUNITY PARK AUG 22, 2025 Genre: modern New Orleans-style jazz Bursting with energy and soul, Euphoria serves up an electrifying blend of New Orleans-style brass band jazz, funky street beats and fresh, edgy grooves. C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts 20 ITEM 5: TGIF 25 The 2025 TGIF Concerts in the Parks season reflects the City of Carlsbad’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, safe, and community-centered programming. With enhanced safety protocols, a dynamic and diverse concert lineup, successful corporate sponsorship, and the return of an experienced event crew, TGIF remains a hallmark of summer in Carlsbad. C cityof Carlsbad Cultural Arts