Concert Series to Begin Sunday in Park

The Clyde Porter Community Concert Sunday will kick off the Valley Cultural Center’s 1998 Concerts in the Park series of free summer events.

With Frankie Avalon as master of ceremonies, the concert will showcase student orchestras and singers from schools throughout the San Fernando Valley.

The Calabash Street Elementary School Chorus, the Lawrence Middle School Band and the CSUN Youth Orchestra are among several groups that will present musical styles ranging from Russian symphonies to classic rock during the opening night performance.

“We’re here to present the talents of kids in the Valley,” said Joyce Fletcher, chairwoman of the Clyde Porter Community Concert. “Usually the young people perform at school functions but this event gives them a real chance to perform before the community as a whole.”

In addition to showcasing local burgeoning talents, the concert series includes artists as varied as Rose Royce, Louie Bellson’s Big Band Explosion, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and a special Father’s Day tribute by Horace Heidt Jr. and the Musical Knights. The performances are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lou Bredlow Pavilion in Warner Park, Topanga Canyon Boulevard at Califa Street. The concerts will be held Sundays through Aug. 30.

Artists new to the event include Queen Ida and her Zydeco Band on Aug. 16. Also new is an evening of musical theater featuring Pam Dawber, Dorian Harewood and Nancy Dussault accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra, which will close the series Aug. 30.

For more information, call (818) 704-1587.