Mark Zalaznik
The 2023 Ossian Summer Performances at the Pavilion will begin on Wednesday, June 21, and run through Sunday, Aug. 13. The events at the Ossian Educational and Performance Pavilion Series at Carey’s Park in Ossian include six movies and nine live performances. The pavilion features a state-of-the-art sound system, a large movie screen and recessed lighting. Individuals and area businesses support specific movies and live performances throughout the summer.
All performances are free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the event on the lawn.
The first two performances feature two young rising vocalists from Iowa.
On Wednesday, June 21, Mark Zalaznik will perform. Zalaznik grew up on a dairy farm and the radio was always on in the background. He and his parents would sing along to the music as they worked and when they rode in cars together. At the age 10, Zalaznik started learning guitar and at 18 (10 years ago) he was playing music at bars, restaurants and events in the tri-state area. His love of classic and modern country, and classic rock and folk music comes through in his crowd-pleasing performances.
The first Movie Night on Sunday, June 25, features “Up,” focusing on Carl Fredricksen, a 78-year-old balloon salesman, about to fulfill a lifelong dream. Tying thousands of balloons to his house, he flies away to the South American wilderness. Curmudgeonly Carl’s worst nightmare comes true when he discovers a little boy named Russell is a stowaway aboard the balloon-powered house. The movie, “Up”, begins at 8 p.m.
The second live performance on Wednesday, June 28, features Carter Guse, a Cedar Falls native heading to college in the fall. Carter, 17, is a singer/songwriter/entertainer who plays a Taylor acoustic guitar as well as a Les Paul Custom electric guitar, drums and piano (not to mention tambourine with his foot) in genres ranging from the 50s through today.
Guse wrote a song that was featured in Nashville for his performance at the historic Bluebird Café. He was a finalist in the adult division of the Bill Riley Talent Festival at the Iowa State Fair at the early age of 14. Guse performed an original song on 93.5 The Mix Radio and appeared in an Iowa Strong feature on KWWL-TV. He recently performed at a benefit featuring his rendition of the Garth Brooks song, “The Dance”, for television personality Jay Leno. Boyd’s Food Truck will be available during Guse’s performance.
The second Movie Night on Wednesday, July 5, features “Brave.” In the movie, Merida, the impetuous but courageous daughter of Scottish King Fergus and Queen Elinor, is a skilled archer who wants to carve out her own path in life. Her defiance of an age-old tradition angers the Highland lords and leads to chaos in the kingdom. Merida seeks help from an eccentric witch, who grants her an ill-fated wish. Now, Merida must discover the true meaning of courage and undo a beastly curse before it’s too late. The movie, “Brave” begins at 8 p.m. An ice cream truck will be available during the movie.
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