By Scott Bridges

  In an effort to attract a younger demographic to the city, the Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission on Tuesday voted 3-0 (with one abstaining) to implement recommendations regarding the Summer Concert Series, which has been produced for the last decade by Gary Mandell of Boulevard Music.

        The plans, which will later be presented to the City Council, include cutting the series to four weeks, which according to Commissioner Marla Koosed, would make it more "impactful," and beginning a new four-week series under the direction of another producer with access to local talent that would appeal to a younger crowd. The concerts, held Thursday nights, would be moved to Sunday afternoons. Koosed suggested that the city "open the door a little wider and see what happens."  

  The problem is that the concert series has not generated enough business downtown and does not have the support of the Downtown Business Association. The hope is that by "opening the door a little wider," 18- to 40-year-olds will come in from out of town and spend money at the local shops and restaurants.

        The commissioners credited Mandell for his efforts with the series. Resident Catherine Yanda addressed the commission, saying that "Gary Mandell has become part of the Culver City brand." Mandell points out that before he began producing the shows, downtown was a "wasteland." He explains that he is able to attract top-notch talent with a meager budget and is concerned about a rowdy element indicative of hip-hop concerts, for example.