Report Prepared by: Jennifer Flachman, Senior Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: Review of the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission’s Recommended Musical Performers for the City Council Brown Bag Concert Series, with Notification that $4500 in Funding for Three Performances was Approved During the 2024/25 Fiscal Year and Rolled Over to 2025/26 Fiscal Year and Request for City Council Approval to Allocate $4,500 from the 2025/26 Budgeted Art Project Funds to Support Three Additional Performances in February, March, and April 2026
REPORT IN BRIEF
Review of the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission’s recommended musical performers for the November, December, and January Brown Bag Concert Series, noting that the funding for three performances was rolled over to the 2025/26 fiscal year and request for City Council approval to allocate $4,500 from the 2025/26 budgeted art project funds to support three additional performances for an extended series in February, March and April 2026.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion
A. Approving musical performers for the Brown Bag Concert Series in November, December and January; and,
B. Approving three additional performances for an extended series in February, March, and April 2026; and,
C. Allowing the use of $4,500 appropriated Art Funding in the City Council Professional Services expense account towards the Brown Bag Concert Series in February, March and April of 2026; and,
D. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the Council Goals and Priorities.
DISCUSSION
As part of the 2024/25 Budget, the City Council set aside $100,000 for art installations throughout the City of Merced. One of the initiatives identified by the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission’s Arts Project Subcommittee was the Brown Bag Concert Series, a program designed to bring live music to Bob Hart Square.
Funding for the first three concerts in the series was approved by City Council as part of the 2024/25 budget, providing $4,500 to host performances in November 2025, December 2025, and January 2026. Each concert is budgeted at $1,500, with $1,000 allocated to performers and $500 for promotional expenses.
In July, the City issued a call for musicians and received 12 submissions across genres such as jazz, R&B, country, alternative rock, pop punk, Top 40, and classic rock. The Arts Commission Subcommittee reviewed the entries using criteria focused on genre diversity, performance quality, and family-friendly suitability. Based on this evaluation, the following performers were selected for the initial three concerts:
- November 13, 2025 – R&B: Brian Cade
- December 11, 2025 – Classic Rock: Cheryl Locket and 2 Hoots and a Hollar
- January 8, 2026 – Family Favorites and Retro Hits (Youth Group Performance): Madison Mitchell, MAC Theater Camp
With the first three performances confirmed, the Arts Commission recommends extending the Brown Bag Concert Series to include three additional shows in February, March, and April 2026. This recommendation reflects both the interest in the program and the availability of high-quality performers. The proposed lineup is as follows:
- February 2026 – Top 40 Pop with Rock Influence: The Wrecking Balls
- March 2026 – Country, Rock, and Pop: William Bailey
- April 2026 – Classic Rock: Zoey Rae
To support the extended series, staff is requesting City Council approval to allocate an additional $4,500 from the Fiscal Year 2025/26 City Council Art Project budget. This funding would cover performer stipends ($1,000 per act) and promotional expenses ($500 per concert) for the three added events.
The Commission believes extending the Brown Bag Concert Series will enhance cultural offerings in Downtown Merced, attract more visitors, and provide an ongoing platform for local and regional musicians to share their talents with the community.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No additional appropriation is needed.
- $91,959 from FY 24/25 art funding appropriation was carried over into the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget. $4,500 of this roll over amount will be used for the first concert series.
- $4,500 of the $75,000 Fiscal Year 2025/26 appropriated art funding will be allocated towards the February, March, and April 2026 concert series.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Selected performers