Mariposa Folk Festival Takes The Virtual Stage For Summer 2020

Posted on June 23, 2020July 10, 2020

Orillia, Ontario – June 23, 2020 – Mariposa Folk Festival has announced, that for the first time in its 60-year history, it will be hosting a free online concert series over the coming months called Mariposa Virtual Stage. Episode 1, hosted by CBC Radio One’s The Next Chapter Producer and Host Shelagh Rogers, will launch Sunday, June 28 at 8:00pm EST, with an online watch party on Mariposa’s Facebook page. For those who miss the launch event, the concert will also be available on Mariposa’s newly designed website at: www.mariposafolk.com.

After making the decision to cancel this year’s festival due to COVID-19, the Mariposa Virtual Stage aspires to keep the festival’s community and patrons engaged and musically satisfied until next summer. “With an incredible line-up and a meaningful milestone, it was difficult to make the call, however it had to be done”, Mariposa President Pam Carter says about making the decision to cancel this year’s festival. “We value the passion and commitment of the Mariposa community, so we’re excited to announce an online concert series that will keep spirits up and allow the community to celebrate music together in the safest way possible”. 

Episode 1 is a 20-minute video, paying homage to folk legend and Mariposa veteran Gordon Lightfoot. Audiences will get the opportunity to listen to an unreleased recording of Lightfoot’s 1964 Mariposa performance of ‘Early Morning Rain’. The second part of Episode 1 features Canadian acoustic-folk duo Dala. The Juno nominees bring a fresh sound of acoustic pop and will pay tribute to the folk legend by performing their rendition of ‘If You Could Read My Mind’.

Unlike any other online concert, Mariposa Virtual Stage will combine contemporary performances with never before seen archival recordings and materials. Each Episode will consist of short pre-recorded online performances, with contemporary performers paying tribute to some of the folk legends who graced the Mariposa stage over the years. The Mariposa Virtual Stage will also host one longer concert, which will feature special headliners and a Mariposa-inspired workshop.

Carter is confident that this first-ever online series will benefit the festival in the future saying, “With Mariposa Virtual Stage, we want to kick-start the 60th anniversary celebration which will continue next summer in 2021. Mariposa Virtual Stage will be another example of remaining true to our roots – for generations to come”. 

Audiences are encouraged to share their music-viewing experience using the hashtag #MariposaVirtualStage on social media.

About Mariposa Folk Festival

Canada’s most iconic music event, the Mariposa Folk Festival was first held in Orillia in 1961. It later moved to Toronto and other sites in Ontario until returning home in 2000 to Orillia. The three-day festival is a family-friendly celebration of song, story, dance and craft in the bucolic setting of Tudhope Park.

Over 60 artists play on 11 stages throughout the park including a pub stage, with outstanding evening main stage performances. Special areas for children’s activities, artisans, and food vendors make Mariposa a magical experience for people of all ages. For more information, visit www.mariposafolk.com .

Media Contact:

Chris Hazel

officemanager@mariposafolk.com

705-326-3655

Mariposa Folk Festival in partnership with Sawdust City Brewing Company launches Mariposa Sun Lager

Posted on June 11, 2020July 10, 2020

Mariposa Folk Festival in partnership with Sawdust City Brewing Company alleviate some of the pain due to cancelled festivals with the launch of Mariposa Sun Lager – a perfect light lager for the sunny summer days of 2020.

ORILLIA & GRAVENHURST, ONTARIO (JUNE 11, 2020) – Mariposa Folk Festival and Sawdust City Brewing Company have teamed up to create Mariposa Sun Lager. The beer was brewed for the now cancelled 60th anniversary festival but is ready to drink, and a good beer waits for no one.

“We can’t be together at the Mariposa Folk Festival this year. But we can still share a Mariposa Sun Lager – at a distance – turn up the music, and dream of next year’s festival at Tudhope Park in Orillia,” said Mariposa Folk Foundation President, Pam Carter.

“It’s important that we find ways to stay connected in this trying year. So let’s raise a glass (or a can) to each other and share a remote-cheers. We’re all in this together!” added Carter.

This super drinkable, light lager is made with flaked corn, Canadian pale 2-row malt, and a touch of German pilsner malt. The result is a clean, crisp, classic light lager, perfect for enjoying with your favourite tunes outside on a sunny day. 

The brew is available at the Sawdust City Brewing Company retail location in Gravenhurst, Ontario or can be ordered online at www.SawdustCityBrewing.com.

With a celebrated track record of tasty and flavourful ales, porters, stouts, sours, IPAs, and more, Sawdust City is proud to continue the tradition of precision craft brewing with the release of Mariposa Sun Lager.

“This is the ideal summer lager,” said Sam Corbeil, Sawdust City Brewmaster. “When discussing this collaboration with our partners at Mariposa we were inspired to create something flavourful yet really crushable,  that captures the unique spirit of the Mariposa Folk Festival. So we did our collective thing – seeking out the perfect balance of ingredients and producing a beer with classic lager characteristics. It’s a labour of love when it all comes together like it has for Mariposa Sun Lager.” 

The beer’s name and label are nods to the magical Mariposa moments that have been shared over the past 60 years. “Everyone who has attended the festival would agree, there is nothing like a Mariposa sunset, a hippie van in the distance, acoustic guitars strumming, and people singing along,” said Mariposa Folk Foundation Vice-president Ken Rovinelli. “We wanted to capture that vibe in both the beer and the branding.”

Brewed in a small batch and available for a limited time, Mariposa Sun Lager has a 4.2% alcohol by volume and is brewed to be enjoyed fresh, which means directly from the fridge or cooler in back yards, on patios, at campsites or at beaches with folk music playing in the background.

#mariposacheers