Free Press Houston
 | |
| Type | Alternative Monthly |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid |
| Owner(s) | Omar Afra |
| Publisher | Omar Afra |
| Managing editors | Elizabeth Rhodes |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Political alignment |
Left-wing progressive / liberal |
| Circulation | 50,000 |
| Website |
www |
Free Press Houston is a free monthly newsprint publication focusing on arts, entertainment, culture and politics. Continually published since March 2003, Free Press Houston is distributed throughout the greater Houston area with particularly strong distribution in inner city neighborhoods such as Montrose, Heights, and the Houston Warehouse District.
History
Free Press Houston began its publishing history in March 2003. Although independent of previous such publishing ventures in the Houston area, the original staff did include contributors from Houston-based alternative publications such as Houston's Other and Public News. However, Free Press Houston distinguished itself from these earlier ventures by expanding past merely focusing on Houston's art and music scene into liberal political commentary and controversial local issues like human trafficking.
Westheimer Block Party and Free Press Summer Festival
Himself a performing musician and one-time bass guitar instructor, Free Press Houston publisher Omar Afra has long been interested in event production. This interest resulted in a small scale revival over several years (2005–2009) of Houston's legendary Westheimer Street Festival as the "Westheimer Block Party". Later, Mr. Afra went on to become the principal promoter of Free Press Summer Fest, a two-day annual event held in Eleanor Tinsley Park. Featuring headliners as diverse as Willie Nelson and Iggy Pop, Free Press Summer Festival has served to bring attention to Houston's active role within American musical culture and growing role within the U.S. Music industry. Summer Fest 2012 is estimated to have drawn well over 80,000 attendees.