FWP is excited to announce the launch of the Woodland Park Community Center Concert Series on Thursday, March 9th! This FREE family-oriented event will open at 5:30 pm and feature FREE popcorn and lemonade, with the FREE concert starting at 6:00 pm. The event will finish by 7:30 pm.

The March 9th inaugural concert will feature local resident Loreta Kovacic - a master musician, former concert pianist, and current singer/songwriter/pianist - and her brother on his first trip to the US from Croatia, cellist and music producer Stanislav Kovacic. Per Culturemap, “Croatian-born Houstonian Loreta Kovacic moves between the classical and pop milieus as fluidly as her fingers dance around the ivories.” She holds a Doctorate Degree in music from Rice University and can be found performing anywhere from McGonigel’s Mucky Duck and Cafe Adel in Houston to Carnegie Hall in New York.

Siblings and musicians Stanislav and Loreta Kovacic.

Loreta has been an ardent supporter of the park, and she kindly offered her talents with her brother as a possible musical event. FWP leapt at the opportunity and realized that a series of concerts could work as a unifying event for the greater community, drawing more people to the park and into the community center itself. This opportunity seemed very much in alignment with the FWP mission of “preserving and improving Woodland Park's natural habitat along with its unique historical significance to the City of Houston, and to providing for the enjoyment and education of all who visit.” FWP worked with the staff at Houston Parks Department (HPARD) to sponsor and gain support for this new music appreciation effort in the community.

Firefly Field sculpture at Woodland Park, by artist Dylan Conner.

“Music is such a common language…and we hope that a variety of music and styles will be offered by other artists and supporters so that this will grow into a well-regarded and supported FWP and HPARD event,” said Pat Rutledge, FWP Treasurer and Civic Liaison. Kelli Fereday, FWP President added “Art and Nature are both respites for the soul. Woodland Park has and continues to add visual art for park users to contemplate and enjoy; it’s such a wonderful opportunity to bring music into the park as well, and especially into the community center which for many years has been under-utilized by the local area.”