{{section.number}}{{item.number}}
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Use of City Days at the Alex Theatre: Armenian Folk Music Awards
1. Council motion to approve use of one of twelve annual City Days at the Alex Theatre for Armenian Folk Music Awards on September 25, 2025.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for June 3, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Los Angeles Armenian Folk Instrument Orchestra is requesting use of one of the City’s 12 annual rent-free dates at the Alex Theatre to host the first Armenian Folk Music Awards on September 25, 2025. This request would represent the ninth community sponsorship request for the 2025 calendar year – leaving no remaining dates available for sponsorship. Should any of the approved events not take place, staff will return to request use of those sponsorship dates again. Three additional dates are currently reserved for City use.
2{{section.number}}{{item.number}}
5 8
2 6
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction for utilization of one rent-free date at the Alex Theatre.
ANALYSIS
As part of the Management Agreement, Evnsong (formerly SAS) agreed to provide the City with 12 annual days of Theatre use, free of facility rental charge. In addition to events hosted by the City, the City may sponsor community groups, who meet the minimum criteria and receive City Council approval, by providing them use of one of these 12 dates. The facility rental fee is waived by the Theatre for these groups, but all other costs associated with the use of the Theatre are to be paid for by the group requesting the sponsorship.
This is the seventh request received by the City from a community group for the 2025 calendar year. Community Groups which have received a City day:
1. Los Angeles Youth Orchestra (May 31, 2025) *approved
2. Ofelya Hambardzumyan’s 100-Year Anniversary with artist Gevorg Chakmanyan (April 3, 2025) *approved
3. Wild Honey (May 24, 2025) *approved
4. Center for Armenian Arts Benefit Concert (April 30, 2025) *approved
5. Sister Cities Event (March 6, 2025) *approved
6. Horizon TV concert to celebrate Armenian Independence Day (May 29, 2025) *approved
7. Armenian Fairytales (December 2025) *approved
8. Armenia Fund (May 16, 2025) * approved
9. Armenian Folk Music Awards *current request
Staff and the Alex anticipate the City will use the Theatre for reoccurring events and are cognizant not to bring forward community events which would surpass the number of allocated dates considering these anticipated date uses. The Council may direct staff to set aside additional dates for anticipated events in addition to the three below:
1. Armenian Genocide Commemoration Event
2. Glendale Tech Week
3. Women’s Equity Day
The Los Angeles Armenian Folk Instrument Orchestra was created a year and a half ago with the goal of preserving national harmony in the community. The group consists of 20 high-quality professional musicians and 10 singers. On September 25, 2025, they would like to organize the first Armenian Folk Music Awards with the goal of presenting Armenian national songs and introducing new singers to the community. This ensemble has presented three concerts, one of which was at the Alex Theatre last year. 3{{section.number}}{{item.number}}
5 8
2 6
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Marketing for the event will take place through the organization’s base, and all regular Alex Theatre ticket marketing outlets.
Details for those interested in requesting sponsorships can be found on the City website at: glendaleca.gov/government/departments/community-development/cdd- administration/alex-theatre-sponsorship
And the Alex Theatre website at: https://www.thealex.com/sponsorship
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no costs to the City of Glendale for sponsoring this event.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
CEQA does not apply to projects where the lead agency determines "with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment." CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs.) § 15061(b)(3). Here, the action involves hosting a show within a built environment. There is no possibility that the action of hosting continued shows within the Theatre may have a significant effect on the environment.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1. Do not approve utilization of one of twelve of the City days at the Alex Theatre.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Bradley Calvert, Director of Community Development
Prepared by:
Tamar Sadd, Deputy Director of Community Development
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS