The Free Label is Coming “Home” for Mariposa-In-Concert on March 28th
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The final concert in Mariposa Folk Festival’s 2025-26 season is on Saturday, March 28 at St. Paul’s Centre in downtown Orillia. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 (including HST and fees) and are available at the Mariposa office at 10 Peter Street South or online at this link.
“Two crowd-favourites from the 2025 Mariposa Folk Festival are featured at our last concert of the 2025-26 Mariposa in Concert Season,” Mariposa Folk Festival President Pam Carter said.
“The Free Label has local connections,” Carter said. “Not only has the group played the Mariposa Folk Festival in 2019 and 2025, two of its members, Cole Mendez and Jacob Thompson, are from Orillia.
“Evan Rotella from Niagara Falls was one of the winners in the Mariposa Folk Festival’s 2025 Showcase and was a crowd favourite at the 2025 Mariposa Folk Festival.”
The Free Label
The Free Label is a six-member band from Toronto, known for their unique fusion of 70s disco, 90s R&B, and high-energy funk. Their infectious sound creates a captivating, dance-driven experience that has made them a favorite on stages across the globe.
Since their breakout 2019 single, “All Night,” the band has toured Europe, North America, and Australia, steadily growing their international fanbase. Notable Canadian festival appearances include Mariposa Folk Festival, Laketown Shakedown, and the Calgary Stampede, where they shared the stage with T-Pain, Aqua, and Lupe Fiasco. They’ve sold out shows nationwide, from Toronto to Vancouver, and have become a sought-after act at major Canadian and U.S. festivals.
Their 2023 European tour saw them perform in the Netherlands, England, and Luxembourg, where they opened for legendary soul group Incognito and R&B/Jazz virtuoso Mono Neon. The Free Label’s music has found a home on radio stations worldwide, with tracks featured in Canada, the U.S., Indonesia, Turkey, and the Czech Republic.
In 2024, the band celebrated the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album, Songs for Sienna, which earned them a prominent spot on the Amazon Music Billboard in Dundas Square, Toronto. This milestone helped solidify their rising status in the music industry, with tracks like “Blue Suede” and “Change Your Mind” receiving widespread acclaim. The album has garnered attention from both fans and critics, amplifying their presence on all platforms.
The band has also experienced significant growth over the last 12 months, with their live performances gaining millions of views across social media platforms. Their live videos, including festival performances and concert highlights, have collectively surpassed 15 million views, showing a remarkable increase in global engagement and solidifying their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts on the circuit.
In the studio, The Free Label has collaborated with Grammy-nominated artists like saxophonist Braxton Cook, featured on their 2022 release, Shine, and Grammy-nominated producer Aaron Paris (Drake, Kanye West, Kali Uchis), who contributed strings to their latest single, “Real Love.”
Their live performances continue to showcase their natural chemistry and dynamic stage presence. With their blend of technical prowess, crowd engagement, and infectious energy, The Free Label is a band that will get you dancing—and leave you wanting more.
Evan Rotella
Evan Rotella has been playing live music for nearly a decade and has been writing songs for almost that long. In 2020 he released a vinyl 45 of his song, “(If I Was A) Rockstar,” which featured well-known Pittsburgh musicians, guitarist Danny Gochnour and keyboardist Joe Munroe. In 2021 Rotella released a CD of acoustic songs written when he was 12 to 14 years-old, entitled, The Demo Tapes.
For the last four years he’s honed his musical chops playing festivals, theatres, patios, bars, and parties across the Niagara Region. He’s also had the privilege of playing at the iconic Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where Bruce Springsteen started his career.
Evan has opened shows for Stephen Page, The Wilderness, Miss Emily, Honeymoon Suite, Wheatus, Road Waves, Stephen Stanley, Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky, Bobby Mahoney & The Seventh Son, Joe D’Urso, Southside Johnny, and the great Steve Earle. He has played with Teenage Head’s Dave Rave, Rick Rose, Bobby Mahoney, Astrid Young (Neil’s sister), the Lowest of the Low’s Stephen Stanley, and more.
On September 28, 2023 Evan released his debut album with an all-star line-up entitled, Happy To Be Here, which is a collection of 10 original songs.
In 2024 he was mentioned twice in Billboard Canada online as “one to watch” and “rapidly attracting attention”.
On December 1, 2024 Evan released Last Train Home, an acoustic album recorded live-off-the-floor to give it a raw sound that mirrored the starkness of the lyrics and songs.
In 2025 Evan won the Niagara Music Awards Folk Album of the Year for “Last Train Home”, and received the Ontario Arts Council’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for his song, “Maryanne,” from the album, Last Train Home.
Evan had a busy 2025 playing various festivals including the Mariposa Folk Festival, Light of Day Asbury Park, Supercrawl, and NXNE in Toronto. As well, he has travelled to Ottawa, Kingston, Oshawa and Belleville to play various events.
The Mariposa Folk Festival’s 2025-26 Concert Series is sponsored by Alleycats Music & Art, Apple Annie’s Café, Back to Function, CanPro Plumbing, Cathy Cleary, Dapper Depot, Dentistry on West, Tim and Rhonda Lauer, Lavender Hills Farm, Paul Raymond and Natalie Little, Amy & Al Wallace, Woodland Tree Service.
“Keep on keeping on;” Ruth Jones’ legacy as founder of the Mariposa Folk Festival
Ruth Jones McVeigh, founder of the Mariposa Folk Festival, has passed away.
A passionate fan of folk music, she and her former husband Dr. Casey Jones started the Mariposa Folk Festival in 1961. Ruth grew up playing the piano and even throughout the Great Depression her mother would find ways to pay for her lessons. A native of Nova Scotia, Ruth moved to Orillia, Ontario with her husband in the late 1940s to raise their family. Ruth was not only a mother and wife but a decorator, gardener, and renovator. A go-getter and hard worker Ruth built the family house a patio by digging out the backyard and laying the concrete herself.
After attending a meeting held by the Chamber of Commerce pushing small towns to find their “tourism hook” Ruth was inspired to find Orillia’s. As she lay in bed sick one day she thought of the idea of creating a folk festival for her sunshine town. Current Mariposa Folk Festival President, Pam Carter commented, “A strong woman with an inspiring vision and plenty of determination Ruth worked tirelessly to get the word out about Mariposa.” With $250 of their own savings Ruth and Casey started planning for the first festival to be held in the summer of 1961. She sent letters, wrote press releases, gave interviews, and even created a promotion on all milk deliveries to summer cottages to ensure her project was a success. Needless to say Ruth created and fostered an atmosphere that made Mariposa a festival that audiences from all over looked forward to. Not only did Ruth dedicate her finances and time she made sure that the festival highlighted an all-Canadian line-up. Ruth’s love for her country and folk music were the perfect inspiration.
In 1964, Ruth left Orillia for Toronto for a short period of time before she moved to New York City and then west to Vancouver. Once Ruth had settled in Vancouver she took a crack at writing. Her creative mind, paired with her range of life experiences made her a successful and thoughtful author. Ruth traveled across the country promoting her books and over the course of her life Ruth wrote Fogswamp, Close Harmony, and Shifting Ground. Her books mirrored the hardships she had endured in her relationships and her encounters as well as highlighted her passion for music.
Throughout her time living in various parts of the world she was always in touch with the Mariposa Folk Festival and came to its rescue in 1987. When Ruth heard the festival was at risk, she advocated for it to open its gates for another year. Her sheer presence at a festival general meeting changed the entire outcome – once again, Ruth had saved Mariposa.
Ruth will always be remembered for her attendance at the 2005 festival when the Hall of Fame was introduced and she was an honorary inductee. The smile beaming from her face as she held her plaque was a reminder of her appreciation for music and how much the festival truly meant to her.
In her later years Ruth did everything she could to attend the festival when she couldn’t drive herself. One year she even hitched a ride to Orillia with a performing musician. While attending the 2013 festival she recounts, “A lot of the stuff that’s happening politically and sociologically will be translated into folk music because that’s what it is. It has variations, I was very upset one year when there was a lot of rock, but there’s so many crossovers now. There’s country-rock and country-folk and what not. So, I don’t care as long as people are expressing their views and loving one another, which is what happens at folk festivals.” The culture of connection, expression, and love of folk Ruth had fostered for the festival was something she put into practice every single day.
Ruth will be remembered as dedicated, funny, smart, and as the mother of the Mariposa Folk Festival, as well as an author, a mother, and a wife. As Ruth would always say, “keep on’ keeping on.” Carter added, “The Mariposa Folk Festival will remember her legacy and her integral part in the foundation of the festival, without Ruth we wouldn’t have this event.” She leaves behind 6 children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the festival’s traditions that she created and loved. Carter remarks, “more than 65 years later, Ruth’s vision will continue to create magical moments for the people of Orillia and those who attend the festival. When a woman like Ruth passes we have the opportunity to reflect on her impact and the memories she’s helped create.”
Mariposa’s Annual ‘Evening of Blues & Gospel’ Show Feb. 21, 2026
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Orillia’s own Lance Anderson is back with his 14th annual Blues and Gospel Show in the Orillia Opera House on Feb. 21, 2026, featuring a roster of stellar musicians and vocalists.
“We don’t know what surprises Mother Nature will have for us this winter, but this annual sold-out show will provide a fun, musical break,” Mariposa Folk Festival President Pam Carter said.
Tickets are $40 (all fees and taxes included) and are available at the Orillia Opera House Box Office or online at orilliaoperahouse.ca. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The stellar lineup this year includes Garnetta Cromwell, Gavin Hope, Wade O. Brown, Mackenzie Jordan, Steve Pelletier and Everton White, arranged and directed by JUNO award-winning producer, Lance Anderson.
Garnetta Cromwell
Garnetta is a powerhouse lead vocalist and entertainer that sends “goosebumps” up and down your spine. She instantly connects and engages with her audience.
To date, with her band, Dagroovmasters, she has performed at several local and national festivals, including TD Jazz, Calgary Bluesfest, Orangeville BluesFest, South Side Shuffle, Lighthouse Blues Fest, Wasaga Beach Blues Fest and more. The band has also performed the infamous Hard Rock Cafe and at Alfred’s, both in Memphis, Tennessee.
They won the Maple Blues Award, for New Artist/Group, as well as the 2024 Blues Blast Magazine Music Award for New Artist Debut Album, “Time to Shine,” and have just finished a western Canadian tour, which introduced that same critically acclaimed debut album.
Cromwell has performed at the prestigious Massey Hall, Toronto, ON for two consecutive years at the 35th & 36th Women’s Blues Revue.
She is a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award Recipient, Special Advisory Council League of Human Rights Canadian, Harry Jerome Award – Entertainment & Community Bob Marley Award for Community and Education
“It is indeed Garnetta Cromwell’s time to shine!! Top notch vocals and songwriting with impeccable musicianship ….” John Kleinman – Living Blues Magazine.
Gavin Hope
Canadian Vocalist Gavin Hope is a three-time Juno Award Nominee, both as a solo headlining vocalist and also as the longest running Baritone member of the iconic Canadian A Cappella group, The Nylons.
In addition to touring globally, he has recorded six studio albums with The Nylons, as well as two more successful recordings – solo pop album “Anything Like Mine” which nationally charted on radio top 100 and top 40, and most recently the beautifully minimalist Jazz album, “For All We Know,” featuring Bill King, which received rave reviews on Jazz charts and considered one of the top Canadian Jazz albums of the year by the Toronto Star.
Gavin’s love of the stage also includes musical theatre. Highlights from the many shows he’s been involved in include being an original Canadian cast member of the hit Broadway musicals, The Lion King (Simba) and RENT (Collins) in Toronto. More recently Gavin was in the Dora Award-winning (Best New Musical) Dixon Road, and the Dora Award-nominated original all-Black Canadian opera – Of the Sea, and then bared it all this year as “Horse” in the hit musical, The Full Monty.
Besides countless commercials and TV appearances, Theatre, and Nylons tour dates, Gavin has shared stages with the likes of Natalie Cole, Deborah Cox, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Corey Hart, Bryan Adams, David Foster, and many other notable names.
Gavin has been a headlining featured vocalist with Jeans ‘n Classics (JnC) for almost two decades. With JnC, Gavin has been performing Symphony Pops concerts in the U.S. and Canada, bringing the music of Earth Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Rocky Horror, Motown, Woodstock, Soulful, Music of Apollo, Rock and Pop, Woodstock, James Bond and more, all to the symphonic stage.
Wade O. Brown
Born and raised in Detroit, this singer/songwriter/keyboardist was mentored as a teen by the legendary Clark Sisters and became a regular in the Midwest Gospel community. As a young adult he moved to Toronto, where there was a burgeoning Soul music scene, and was soon fronting a band at singer Keith Washington’s soul food restaurant. Brown began making a name for himself playing private parties in the Toronto area and became a vocalist of choice when soul performers such as Aretha Franklin and Glenn Lewis came to town. He played on SNL with Drake, who had special guest Stevie Wonder.
Working with friend Wil Van Zyk, Brown put together a solo album debut, “Complete,” in 2003. The disc was a fine showcase for his talent as a vocalist and garnered the interest of a number of important collaborators for his second disc, “All Night All Love.”
Mackenzie Jordan
Mackenzie Jordan is a 25-year-old guitarist and artist from New Hamburg Ontario. He is an artist in many respects as he is also a songwriter and musician for rock and roll bands, and paints furniture in a wide variety of styles bringing new life to old pieces.
Mackenzie finds inspiration in the romantic paintings by John Waterhouse, and he also likes to show his love for music in his artwork. Mackenzie continues to find inspiration in a number of different art forms. Art is art after all.
Mackenzie player guitar in Midnight Rider – The Music of the Allman Brothers, the hit of the festival at last year’s Kitchener Blues Fest. By the way, Mackenzie is a founding member of the Matchedash Parish.
Steve Pelletier
Born and raised in Hamilton, bassist Steve Pelletier has played with a “who’s who” list of Canadian artists including a nine-year tenure with the Colin James Band. The Julian Taylor Band, and Matt Andersen round out a long list of who he has played with including Jeff Healey, David Wilcox, Sass Jordan, Long John Baldry, Steve Lukather, Sue Foley, Crystal Shawanda and the Shuffle Demons.
A valuable member of the Greater Toronto Area music scene, Steve has also made himself known on an international level, having performed on Joe Bonamassa’s “Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea” cruise and a variety of legendary venues and events, including Massey Hall, The Orpheum in Vancouver, the Calgary Stampede, Montreal Jazz Fest, Havana International Jazz Fest and The Funky Biscuit.
Everton White
Everton was brought up playing gospel music in his church. He has played with Quisha Wint and with Lance in ‘Everyday People – The Music of SLY and the FAMILY STONE’ show. He appeared at the popular 2025 GOSPEL BREAKFAST show at the Kitchener Blues Festival.
Lance Anderson
Internationally recognized producer, composer Lance Anderson has brought together the best in Canada’s Blues, Gospel and R&B world for the 14th time, for Mariposa. This series showcases the best artists in the genre but also emerging talent that Orillia artists may not be familiar with, but will not forget.
Anderson has a long career recording artists like Blackburn, The Cameo Blues Band, Garth Hudson (The Band), 2B3 The Toronto Sessions, Matchedash Parish and is about to release a N’Orleans themed CD as Lance Anderson and the NOLA Parish and a world Jazz CD called Lance Anderson and the Word Jazz Asylum. He produces The Last Waltz – A Musical Celebration of The Band and tours Ontario theatres with other shows he has created.
He has recorded and performed with the Maple Blues Band, Shakura S’Aida, Shawn Kellerman, Roly Platt, Al Lerman, Ken Whiteley and US artists like with Johnny Rawls, Lee Oskar, Deanna Bogart, Anne Harris, Tommy Castro,
He was co-producer of the ‘Oscar with Love’ 3CD set that commemorated the 90th Anniversary of Oscar’s birth and featured Michel Legrand, Chick Corea, Oliver Jones, Ramsey Lewis and many more.
The Mariposa Folk Festival’s 2025-26 Concert Series is sponsored by Alleycats Music & Art, Apple Annie’s Café, Back to Function, CanPro Plumbing, Cathy Cleary, Dapper Depot, Dentistry on West, Tim and Rhonda Lauer, Lavender Hills Farm, Paul Raymond and Natalie Little, Amy & Al Wallace, Woodland Tree Service.
Aysanabee’s “The Way We’re Born Tour” in Orillia November 29!
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Orillia, Ontario, October 1, 2025
The Mariposa Folk Festival opens its 2025-26 concert series with two-time Juno award winner, Aysanabee.
“Aysanabee is no stranger to the Orillia area, having performed at the Mariposa Folk Festival in 2022 and An Autumn Mariposa in 2023,” said Mariposa Folk Festival President Pam Carter. “This tour features his 2025 album release, Edge of the Earth, which is garnering much praise across the country.”
“Singer-songwriter and guitarist JD Crosstown is the special guest performer at Aysanabee’s November 29 concert,” Carter said. “Mariposa fans at our 2023 Showcase experienced JD Crosstown’s talents firsthand, and now he’s back.”
The concert is on Saturday, November 29 at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter Street North in downtown Orillia. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35, including taxes and fees, and are available at the Mariposa Festival office, 10 Peter Street South, Orillia, or at mariposafolk.com.
Aysanabee Join two-time JUNO Award-winning Oji-Cree artist Aysanabee (Ace-in-abbey) on his first-ever headlining tour, The Way We’re Born Tour, supporting the June 2025 release of his sophomore album Edge Of The Earth. Following two incredible Canadian support tours with Allison Russell and Dan Mangan, this spring’s Eastern Canadian tour, as well as countless global festival appearances, it is now time for Aysanabee to take center stage and share his powerful music—including the radio hit singles “Nomads,” “We Were Here”, “Somebody Else” and his newest radio charting single “Edge Of The Earth”—along with his engaging storytelling.
The alternative indie artist, of Sucker Clan from the Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, now calls Toronto home. He began making music under his mother’s maiden name when moments of stillness allowed him to slow down and create music that truly represented him as an artist. He’s been compared to Hozier and Kings of Leon, among others.
In March 2024, Aysanabee made history as the first Indigenous artist to win the JUNO Awards for Alternative Album of the Year and the coveted Songwriter of the Year for his EP Here and Now. His debut album, Watin (Nov 2022), named after his grandfather, combined music and journalism with artistry and expression and was shortlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize.
JD Crosstown JD Crosstown is a singer-songwriter and guitarist whose work bridges the traditions of folk, country, and blues. Raised in Neyaashiinigmiing (Chippewas of Nawash Territory), Ontario, Crosstown began playing guitar at a young age, influenced by the classic sounds of artists such as Bob Dylan, and The Band.
His early exposure to music was through family and community that evolved into a serious artistic pursuit, now culminating in performances across both sides of the Atlantic, touring across Canada and Europe.
Crosstown’s live performances are marked by their emotional intimacy and technical skill. Whether performing solo or collaborating with fellow musicians, he continues to build a reputation as a compelling storyteller and skilled musician. His work is grounded in tradition, yet unafraid to explore new sonic territory—making him an artist to watch in the evolving landscape of contemporary music.
In May 2025, Crosstown released his debut full-length album, Takin’ My Time, which features 11 original tracks including “Wildflower,” and “Grey Goose.”
The Mariposa Folk Festival’s 2025-26 Concert Series is sponsored by Alleycats Music & Art, Apple Annie’s Café, Back to Function, CanPro Plumbing, Cathy Cleary, Dapper Depot, Dentistry on West, Tim & Rhonda Lauer, Lavender Hills Farm, Paul Raymond & Natalie Little, Amy & Al Wallace, Woodland Tree Service.
Mariposa Folk Festival Exhibition Wraps Up With Photography Art Auction
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ORILLIA ONTARIO – September 8, 2025
The Voices Through Time: A Mariposa Journey exhibition at the Orillia Museum of Art and History was created to celebrate the 65-year history of the storied Mariposa Folk Festival. The exhibition has had a successful summer run, and fans should rush to the museum to catch it before it closes on September 27, 2025. To experience a virtual walk-through of the exhibition, visit this link: https://vimeo.com/1079353728.
Framed Photography Art Auction and Event
The exhibition has featured beautiful photographs from the past and present, by photographers Edwin Gailits and Deb Halbot, and those beautiful and historic framed photographs can now be yours, through an auction being held from September 11th and September 25th.
The auction will conclude with a fun, live event from 5-7pm at OMAH. The event is open to the public and will include opportunities to view the exhibition and the art available for auction, as well as a musical performance by Mariposa favourite and former Mariposa Showcase winner, Rebekah Hawker. The online auction will conclude at 6:30pm on the 25th. Auction winners will be able to pick up their framed pieces following the closing of the exhibition on the 27th.
Photographers Edwin Gailits and Deb Halbot
Edwin Gailits, attending the Festival in the 1970s, documented Mariposa in striking black and white, preserving its raw energy and intimate moments. His images reveal a festival deeply rooted in folk traditions, where artists and audiences connected in a shared love of storytelling and song. The grain of his film captures the authenticity and spirit of a movement that shaped Canada’s folk music scene.
In contrast, Deb Halbot’s contemporary photography immerses us in the Mariposa of today—vivid, dynamic, and filled with colour. Her work highlights the festival’s evolution while celebrating the same passion that has defined it for decades. From joyful performances to the vibrant crowd, her images reflect a festival that continues to grow, embrace diversity, and inspire new generations.
Voices Through Time: A Mariposa Journey
The Voices Through Time: A Mariposa Journey exhibition is located on the 2nd floor at OMAH, running from June 14th to September 27th. The exhibition celebrates the 65-year history of the Mariposa Folk Festival, with beautiful photographs from the past and present, as well as interactive elements capturing some unforgettable Mariposa moments. Mariposa Folk Festival president Pam Carter said, “If you’re missing the magic of Mariposa, make sure you attend the exhibition before it closes”.
For 65 years, Mariposa Folk Festival has been a gathering place where music, culture, and community intertwine. Voices Through Time: A Mariposa Journey invites you to step into this rich history through the eyes of two photographers, each capturing a distinct era of the festival’s legacy.
Alongside these visual narratives, an interactive installation brings to life defining stories from Mariposa’s past. These stories—of legendary performances, turning points, and unforgettable moments—invite you to engage with the voices and experiences that have shaped the festival’s journey.
Through photography and storytelling, Voices Through Time honours Mariposa’s enduring magic, celebrating the past while looking toward the future. This is more than an exhibition—it is an invitation to experience the heart and soul of Mariposa.
Voices Through Time is curated by Terry Lau and the team at Beehive Design, long-time creative partners of Mariposa Folk Festival. “Working alongside Edwin and Deb has been a true privilege. Their passion for capturing Mariposa’s spirit deeply inspiring. It’s both a meaningful opportunity and a profound responsibility to help tell Mariposa’s story—one shaped by music, memory, and a community that continues to grow and evolve with every passing year,” said Lau.
Mariposa would like to acknowledge the investment by Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund for making this exhibition possible, as well the generous support from Orillia Museum of Art and History, Orillia’s Lake Country, and More Life Pilates.
Mariposa Folk Festival
The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival features 11 stages of top folk-roots and other genres, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. Tickets for the July 3-5, 2026 Mariposa Folk Festival will go on sale in October 2025. Children 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite camping is available .
The Orillia Museum of Art & History, located in the historic Sir Sam Steele Memorial Building, offers a unique experience of exploration into Orillia’s rich heritage and artistic legacy. The museum’s historical collection intertwines local history with artistic expression. Its primary focus is on preserving and showcasing the tangible history of Orillia, providing visitors with a deep dive into the city’s past through revolving exhibits that feature significant events, influential figures, and offers a glimpse into day-to-day leisure activities. The museum’s art collection focuses on collecting works from not just locally based artists, but from those who have contributed to the regional and national artistic landscape. The Orillia Museum of Art & History stands as a vibrant cultural centre, inviting both locals and tourists to explore and celebrate the rich tapestry of Orillia’s past and present. For more information and for exhibition updates, please visit https://www.orilliamuseum.org/project/gordon-lightfoot/
LEGENDARY MARIPOSA FOLK FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 65TH EDITION WITH 4th CONSECUTIVE SELLOUT AND ONCE IN A LIFETIME PERFORMANCES
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Acclaimed Canadian Folk Festival pulls in huge crowds, draws younger fans and delivers special performances
“Playing the Mariposa Folk Festival is a badge of honour for folk artists around the world.” – Exclaim!
“Colin Linden referred to Mariposa as the gold standard of folk festivals, while his Blackie and the Rodeo Kings counterpart, Tom Wilson, referred to it as an oasis for music lovers.” – Orillia Matters
“a who’s who of Canadian songwriting royalty” – Streets of Toronto
ORILLIA, ON – JULY 21, 2025 – The Festival Chair announced today that the 65th Mariposa Folk Festival, which took place July 4–6, 2025, in Orillia, Ontario, reached a sellout for the fourth consecutive year. Youth and Young Adult ticket sales surpassed the previous record by more than 6%, demonstrating that the festival’s vibe and music continue to resonate with a younger demographic.
Hosted by Tom Power (CBC’s Q), and Raina Douris (NPR) the 65th edition of the legendary festival’s success filled the three day music fest with over 70 artists, 11 stages and a memorable performance from Serena Ryder who paid tribute to past Mariposa Folk Festival performers Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot and John Prine.
Said Festival Chair Pam Carter: “In an industry that is faced with rising costs and inflation, Mariposa patrons proved that it is the place to be for amazing live performances. We are grateful for their trust in us to present a festival which they are excited to attend.”
Remarked Spencer Shewen, Artistic Director: “Our musicians left it all out on the stage this year with magical performances and incredible collaborations. You could feel the reverence from everywhere while we celebrated both the past 65 years and what is still to come!”
Added Tom Power: “There’s a rare kind of magic in a festival that honours its history while creating something that’s deeply joyful, meaningful, welcoming and current. Mariposa really has that.”
ABOUT MARIPOSA FOLK FESTIVAL
The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival features 11 stages of top folk-roots and other genres, along with story, dance and craft. The Pub tent is the place to be for people of all ages to hang out with friends, see your favourite artist or discover someone new. All of this in the most beautiful setting right on the shores of Lake Couchiching. Tickets for the July 3-5, 2026 festival will go on sale in the Fall.
MEDIA CONTACTS AND SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
Leslie Merklinger, Chris Hazel: media@mariposafolk.com
Gordon Lightfoot & 65 Years Of Mariposa To Be Celebrated in 2 Exciting Exhibitions
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ORILLIA ONTARIO – April 16, 2025
Visitors to Orillia and local residents alike will have the opportunity to immerse themselves this summer in Orillia’s rich music history with the launch of 2 exciting exhibitions at The Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH). Gordon Lightfoot: Turning Back The Pages will be a permanent exhibition on Canada’s beloved troubadour, while Voices Through Time: A Mariposa Journey is a temporary exhibition celebrating the 65th anniversary of the country’s most iconic music festival. “We’re overjoyed about the 2 exhibitions launching together,” said OMAH Executive Director, Ninette Gyorody. “Orillia is blessed to be the home of both Gordon Lightfoot and The Mariposa Folk Festival and OMAH is honoured to tell some of their stories.”
Both exhibitions are slated to open to the public on June 14, 2025.
Gordon Lightfoot: Turning Back The Pages
OMAH is proud to announce the launch of a permanent exhibition dedicated to one of Canada’s most celebrated singer-songwriters, Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon Lightfoot: Turning Back The Pages will invite visitors to explore the life, legacy, and enduring impact of the legendary musician.
Born and raised in Orillia, Lightfoot’s influence on Canadian music and culture is unparalleled. With a career spanning over 60 years and a catalogue of more than 250 songs, his storytelling has resonated with audiences worldwide. His music—deeply personal and often reflective of the Canadian landscape—has been recorded by iconic artists including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan. At a time when many musicians sought success in the United States, Lightfoot remained steadfast in his Canadian identity, proving that an artist’s greatest inspiration can be found at home.
Curated by Hannah Arndt, OMAH’s History Programming Coordinator, Turning Back The Pages will take visitors on a journey through Lightfoot’s career, showcasing rare artifacts, memorabilia, and personal items that highlight his deep connection to Orillia and the broader cultural landscape.
“Gordon Lightfoot’s impact on Canadian music is immeasurable, and his roots in Orillia are a vital part of his story,” says Arndt. “This exhibition is a tribute to his remarkable legacy, and we are thrilled to create a space where his influence can be celebrated for generations to come.”
The development of this exhibition was made possible through generous donations, demonstrating the profound respect and admiration fans across North America have for our hometown legend.
Voices Through Time: A Mariposa Journey
The Voices Through Time: A Mariposa Journey exhibition will take place on the 2nd floor at OMAH, running from June 14th to September 13th. The exhibition celebrates the 65-year history of the Mariposa Folk Festival, with beautiful photographs from the past and present, as well as interactive elements capturing some unforgettable Mariposa moments. Mariposa Folk Festival president Pam Carter said, “The exhibition perfectly captures the magic of Mariposa. You won’t want to miss it!”.
For 65 years, Mariposa Folk Festival has been a gathering place where music, culture, and community intertwine. Voices Through Time: A Mariposa Journey invites you to step into this rich history through the eyes of two photographers, each capturing a distinct era of the festival’s legacy.
Edwin Gailits, attending in the 1970s, documented Mariposa in striking black and white, preserving its raw energy and intimate moments. His images reveal a festival deeply rooted in folk traditions, where artists and audiences connected in a shared love of storytelling and song. The grain of his film captures the authenticity and spirit of a movement that shaped Canada’s folk music scene.
In contrast, Deb Halbot’s contemporary photography immerses us in the Mariposa of today—vivid, dynamic, and filled with colour. Her work highlights the festival’s evolution while celebrating the same passion that has defined it for decades. From joyful performances to the vibrant crowd, her images reflect a festival that continues to grow, embrace diversity, and inspire new generations.
Alongside these visual narratives, an interactive installation brings to life defining stories from Mariposa’s past. These stories—of legendary performances, turning points, and unforgettable moments—invite you to engage with the voices and experiences that have shaped the festival’s journey.
Through photography and storytelling, Voices Through Time honours Mariposa’s enduring magic, celebrating the past while looking toward the future. This is more than an exhibition—it is an invitation to experience the heart and soul of Mariposa.
Voices Through Time is curated by Terry Lau and the team at Beehive Design, long-time creative partners of Mariposa Folk Festival. “From the moment I began collaborating with the Mariposa Folk Festival, there was a sense of familiarity—like I’d found a creative home. Working alongside Edwin and Deb has been a true privilege, their passion for capturing Mariposa’s spirit deeply inspiring. Curating Voices Through Time for the festival’s 65th anniversary feels like a full-circle moment. It’s both a meaningful opportunity and a profound responsibility to help tell Mariposa’s story—one shaped by music, memory, and a community that continues to grow and evolve with every passing year,” said Lau.
Mariposa would like to acknowledge the investment by Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund for making this exhibition possible, as well the generous support from Orillia Museum of Art and History and Orillia’s Lake Country and More Life Pilates.
Orillia Museum of Art and History
The Orillia Museum of Art & History, located in the historic Sir Sam Steele Memorial Building, offers a unique experience of exploration into Orillia’s rich heritage and artistic legacy. The museum’s historical collection intertwines local history with artistic expression. Its primary focus is on preserving and showcasing the tangible history of Orillia, providing visitors with a deep dive into the city’s past through revolving exhibits that feature significant events, influential figures, and offers a glimpse into day-to-day leisure activities. The museum’s art collection focuses on collecting works from not just locally based artists, but from those who have contributed to the regional and national artistic landscape. The Orillia Museum of Art & History stands as a vibrant cultural centre, inviting both locals and tourists to explore and celebrate the rich tapestry of Orillia’s past and present. For more information and for exhibition updates, please visit https://www.orilliamuseum.org/project/gordon-lightfoot/
Mariposa Folk Festival
The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival features 11 stages of top folk-roots and other genres, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. All ticket categories are on sale. Children 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite camping is available.
The Mariposa Folk Festival returns July 4 to 6 to Tudhope Park in Orillia with a fantastic lineup that includes The Sheepdogs, Iron & Wine, Waxahatchee and much more!
The lineup was revealed today for the 65th Anniversary of the iconic music festival. The
Mariposa Folk Festival was founded in Orillia, Ontario in 1961. Through the festival’s storied 65 years, it has grown to become Canada’s most legendary musical gathering. Tickets for Mariposa are on sale via the festival website.
“This is a landmark anniversary year, promising amazing performances and unforgettable moments, so don’t delay in purchasing your Mariposa 2025 tickets early to make sure you’re part of this moment in Canadian music history,” said Mariposa Folk Festival President, Pam Carter. “Music fans of all ages come to the festival each year to reconnect in this beautiful setting by the lake, creating their own lifetime memories of Mariposa. For both festival veterans and first timers, this is a year not to be missed.”
In crafting this special anniversary Mariposa lineup, Artistic Director Spencer Shewen wanted to showcase Mariposa favourites from over the years, while at the same time introducing the festival to some of the best new voices in folk music.
Returning to the lineup for 2025 are magnificent performers, Jane Siberry (1982), Bob Snider (1990, 1993, 1994, 2003), Ron Sexsmith (1990, 2006, 2011), Irish Mythen (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2024), Basia Bulat (2009), Hayden (2008), The Paper Kites (2014) to name a few.
New faces at the festival this year include Iron & Wine, Waxahatchee, The Sheepdogs, Rock Plaza Central, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, The Red River Ramblers and Bess Atwell. Full list of performing artists below.
Shewen is particularly excited for a one-time ensemble performance from some exceptional songwriters who will gather to celebrate Mariposa’s 65th in a special way. “On Sunday evening, Serena Ryder, who has performed at the festival on no less than six previous occasions, will be joined by Martha Wainwright, Julian Taylor and special friends for a Mariposa retrospective performance. It’s sure to be a magical moment!” says Shewen.
The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival features 11 stages of top folk-roots and other genres, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. All ticket categories are on sale. Children 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite camping is available.
March Mariposa Concert features Amanda Rheaume, School House
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On March 15, the unpredictable, roller-coaster winter weather will be pushed out of mind by a night of musical sunshine, courtesy of the Mariposa Folk Festival’s third and final concert of its 2024-25 season.
That night, award-winning Indigenous singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume and folk-pop trio School House will be taking to the St. Paul’s Centre stage to sing away any late winter blues.
“Both Amanda Rheaume and School House were crowd favourites at the Mariposa Folk Festival in July and this March concert will reprise their unique musical stylings and bring us all a little Mariposa sunshine,” Mariposa Folk Festival President Pam Carter said.
The concert is on Saturday, March 15, at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter Street North, Orillia. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 (all fees and taxes included) and are available at the Mariposa Folk Festival office, 10 Peter Street South in downtown Orillia, or online at this link.
Amanda Rheaume
Recipient of the 2024 Spirit of Folk Award, 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year and the 2023 Capital Music Awards’ Album of the Year, Amanda Rheaume’s rootsy, guitar-driven ballads introduce crucial dimensions to the world of Heartland Rock.
In a genre characterized by anthems of underdogs, assumptions and unfair advantages, Rheaume’s sound and story radically expand the boundaries, both geographic and cultural, to make space for new perspectives on resistance and resilience. A Citizen of the Métis Nation, and an active and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Rheaume’s music is indeed from the heart, and the land.
First a songwriter, Rheaume comes from a long line of tireless, transformational organizers and activists. She carries this lineage forward in her ever-growing role as a crucial builder of Indigenous music infrastructure and community. From the International Indigenous Music Summitand Ishkode Records, to the National Indigenous Music Office, the goal of raising Indigenous sovereignty in the music industry drives all of Rheaume’s work.
Rheaume has released 5 full-length albums and four EPs, all while fostering a self-managed career travelling on numerous tours and achieving many milestones. 2013’s Keep a Fire was nominated for a JUNO Award and won a Canadian Folk Music Award for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year. As a follow-up to 2022’s The Spaces In Between, Rheaume is currently writing her next full-length album, set to release in 2025.
School House
2024 Mariposa Showcase winner School House is a folk band from Ottawa. After moving in together in 2021, the three best friends discovered that their new home was a century-old school house — inspiring the name and giving them a dedicated space to create. They were awarded Group of the Year at the 2024 Ottawa Music Awards and their debut release was named Album of the Year by Ottawa Faces Magazine.
Their sound was born around a campfire, taking turns sharing songs and joining in three-part harmony. They combine upbeat singalongs with emotive folk ballads to bring a wise, yet youthful perspective to the Canadian folk music scene. Releasing their debut album in 2023 and an Acoustic EP in 2024; the band has amassed over 350k online streams.
The Mariposa Folk Festival’s 2024-25 Concert Series is sponsored by Alleycats Music & Art, Amy & Al Wallace, Apple Annie’s Café, Bell Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Centre, Cathy Cleary, Colour n’ Light Muskoka, Dapper Depot, Dentistry on West, Lavender Hills Farm, Paul Raymond, Susie Q Fudge and Gifts, Rhonda and Tim Lauer.
Mariposa’s Annual ‘Evening of Blues & Gospel’ Show Feb. 22, 2025
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Mariposa in Concert’s (MIC) wildly popular ‘An Evening of Blues & Gospel’ Show returns Saturday Feb. 22, 2025 at the Orillia Opera House with another incredible lineup of all-star vocalists and musicians assembled, arranged and directed by Orillia’s own JUNO award winning producer, Lance Anderson.
“This is our 13th annual Blues & Gospel Show and it is a great way to ward off the winter blahs,” Mariposa Folk Festival President Pam Carter said.
Tickets are $35 (all fees and taxes included) and are available at the Orillia Opera House Box Office or online at orilliaoperahouse.com. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The stellar lineup this year includes Andrew Craig, Jim Bowskill, Brittany Brooks, Selena Evangeline and Emily Burgess, with Lance Anderson as musical director.
“Mariposa is so fortunate to have Lance Anderson bringing such great musical talent to its annual Blues and Gospel Show,” Carter said. “This show is a sell-out every year.”
Andrew Craig
Andrew Craig creates and performs original music, writes plays, directs music, theatre and festivals, produces audio and video, and teaches.
He’s worked with Molly Johnson, Wynton Marsalis, Measha Bruggergosman, David Clayton Thomas and Jackie Richardson, opened for Bobby McFerrin, directed tributes to Oscar Peterson and Quincy Jones, and performed twice for Nelson Mandela.
He specializes in the music of the African diaspora: jazz, Gospel, funk, soul, R & B, Blues, and many African continental styles.
Brooks & Bowskill
Brooks & Bowskillis the collaboration of Canadian wife-and-husband musicians Brittany Brooks and Jim Bowskill. Their genre-bending sound journeys between folk, country-rock, pop and rock and roll.
Jim Bowskill, a multi-talented instrumentalist, songwriter, producer and recording engineer has established himself as one of the most profound musicians and music producers in the industry. He is a member of Canadian country-rock band Blue Rodeo, as their multi-instrumentalist and previously spent seven years as lead guitarist of Canadian rock band The Sheepdogs.
Since the beginning of her musical career, Brooks has been a prolific songwriter, singer and instrumentalist, crafting lyrically evocative songs steeped in wisdom beyond her years. She has become notable for her unique and poignant vocal styling reminiscent of female folk-rock pioneers from the ‘60s like Sandy Denny, Joni Mitchell and country artists like Emmylou Harris and Sylvia Tyson. In addition to releasing multiple solo albums, Brooks has provided background vocals on records and in live performances for numerous bands including Blue Rodeo.
“Whether you’re a believer in fate, or even God, it’s hard not to feel some sort of gratitude to whatever force brought Brooks and Bowskill together. Maybe it wasn’t divine intervention, but it is surely evidence of some sort of cosmic destiny that these two musicians could come together to create such an ethereal and moving set of songs.” — Americana UK
Selena Evangeline
Selena Evangeline is without question a world-class singer. The sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Chaka Khan, Prince and Stevie Wonder helped shape the multi- instrumentalist and musician she is today.
By way of her travels, Selena has shared stages with Sheila E., Patrice Rushen, The Nylons, Latin Grammy winner Maia and more. Recently you may have seen her on stage backing Amanda Marshall and CMA winner Johnny Reid.
Selena was a featured singer in ’60 in 60’ the Celebration concert for Mariposa’s 60th Anniversary, and is a member of the Matchedash Parish.
Emily Burgess
Emily Burgess is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter based in Peterborough, Ontario. As a freelance guitarist, Emily has worked for a wide variety of artists and groups, including The Weber Brothers, The Women’s Blues Revue Band, The 24th Street Wailers, Rita Chiarelli, and Sue Foley.
Fronting her own trio, she won the Best New Artist Maple Blues Award in 2018. As a member of The 24th Street Wailers, she and her band mates were nominated for a JUNO award for their 2014 album ‘Wicked’.
As an independent artist, Emily has recorded 3 studio albums: Are We in Love? (2017), Never-Ending Fling (2019), and Arrow (2023).
Lance Anderson
Internationally recognized Producer, composer Lance Anderson has brought together the best in Canada’s Blues, Gospel and R&B world for the 13th time, for Mariposa. This series showcases the best artists in the genre but also emerging talent that Orillia artists may not be familiar with, but will not forget.
Anderson has a long career recording artists like Blackburn, The Cameo Blues Band, Garth Hudson (The Band), 2B3 The Toronto Sessions, Matchedash Parish and is about to release a N’Orleans themed CD as Lance Anderson and the NOLA Parish and a world Jazz CD called Lance Anderson and the Word Jazz Asylum. He produces The Last Waltz – A Musical Celebration of The Band and tours Ontario theatres with other shows he has created.
He has recorded and performed with the Maple Blues Band, Shakura S’Aida, Shawn Kellerman, Roly Platt, Al Lerman, Ken Whiteley and US artists like with Johnny Rawls, Lee Oskar, Deanna Bogart, Anne Harris, Tommy Castro,
He was co-producer of the ‘Oscar with Love’ 3CD set that commemorated the 90th Anniversary of Oscar’s birth and featured Michel Legrand, Chick Corea, Oliver Jones, Ramsey Lewis and many more.
The Mariposa Folk Festival’s 2024-25 Concert Series is sponsored by Alleycats Music & Art, Amy & Al Wallace, Apple Annie’s Café, Bell Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Centre, Cathy Cleary, Colour n’ Light Muskoka, Dapper Depot, Dentistry on West, Lavender Hills Farm, Paul Raymond, Susie Q Fudge and Gifts, Rhonda and Tim Lauer.
Mariposa-In-Concert Presents Matt Weidinger’s Van Morrison Show
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Orillia, July 16, 2024, 10:00am
Mariposa favourite, Matt Weidinger, returns to Orillia on November 23 to kick off the Mariposa in Concert (MIC) 2024-25 season with his Van Morrison tribute show.
“It’s Too Late to Stop Now – The Music of Van Morrison,” is slated for Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the Orillia Opera House, 1 West Street North in downtown Orillia. Doors Open at 7 p.m. and show starts 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 each (includes all processing fees and taxes) and can be purchased at the Orillia Opera House Box Office or online at orilliaoperahouse.ca.
“Matt is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and is well-known and respected throughout Ontario,” Pam Carter, MIC Chair, commented. “He has released three albums and is a member of Lance Anderson’s 12-piece band, “Matchedash Parish,” whose debut album, Saturday Night, earned them a 2020 Maple Blues Awards nomination for New Artist of the Year.”
For November’s show, Weidinger’s put together a seven-piece band, including two horns to reflect the sound for which Morrison is known. The show will be something of a retrospective of Van the Man’s extensive song catalogue, with a particular focus on the early material that was Weidinger’s introduction to Morrison’s brand of Celtic soul.
“Matt’s interpretation of Van’s music is a deeply moving personal memoir of Celtic soul. Simply marvellous, actually fantabulous!” – Bruce Hall, Grand Rivers Blues Society
Matt started listening to Van Morrison in high school with Astral Weeks, and then Moondance, soon uncovering a treasure trove of musical offerings. “He’s got a huge catalogue,” Matt said. “With Van Morrison, there’s just so much to see, so much to discover.”
Weidinger’s own influences stem from the ’60s, as can be heard in both his vocals and his choice of music. Like Morrison, he began performing as a teen. For a relatively young performer, he’s already got more than a decade of experience under his belt that has earned him a solid following. In addition to singing and writing songs, he’s a multi-instrumentalist, equally at home on the piano, organ, guitar, bass and mandolin.
Matt Weidinger has established himself as a full-time musician since the age of 16 having surpassed thousands of hours in the trade. During his formative years, Weidinger found a home within the thriving blues scene in Kitchener-Waterloo, playing regular club gigs with its leading practitioners while still in high school.
The Mariposa Folk Foundation’s 2024-25 Concert Series is sponsored by Alleycats Music & Art, Amy & Al Wallace, Apple Annie’s Café, Bell Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Centre, Cathy Cleary Design, Colour n’ Light Muskoka, Dapper Depot, Dentistry on West, Lavender Hills Farm, Paul Raymond, Susie Q Fudge and Gifts and Tim Lauer, Sales Representative, Royal LePage Real Quest Realty.
The Mariposa Folk Festival 2024 headliner is a rising star in the Canadian music industry.
In 2017, a singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba sent ripples through the folk world, winning the Contemporary Roots Album of the Year JUNO Award for his debut, Earthly Days.
Since then, William Prince has become a fixture in the Canadian folks scene, thanks to his distinctive soulful baritone and compelling storytelling. That JUNO winning album sent his life on a new trajectory; in the years that followed, he released the critically acclaimed albums Reliever (2020)and Stand In The Joy (2023), opened for Neil Young, and collaborated with Serena Ryder on the singles “Sing Me A Song” and “River Of Tears.” He’s played Massey Hall, the Grand Ole Opry and an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. And this summer, he’ll be headlining the Mariposa Folk Festival.
Despite a seemingly quick rise, Prince’s musical journey was a decade in the making. Prince told CBC News that it took him 10 years to complete that first album. At first, he tried to emulate other artists, but eventually he embraced his calm, introspective sound. “I’ve always had a lot to say,” he said about his songwriting. “A bad day becomes a song, but good days become songs, too.”
The Anishinabe artist hails from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba’s the Interlake region. He learned a love of music from his father, who died shortly before Earthly Days’ release.
“I would have spent a lot of time playing music with my dad,” Prince told The String. “He was raised on Johnny Cash gospel and Charley Pride and stuff. And it was always around our house. And so I learned from him to sing those kinds of classic songs—Hank Williams, Willie Nelson songs. As well as on Sunday, you know, he’d be preaching, he’d be leading the country band that we had there. And I was 14 or 15 when I would have started out on guitar playing music with him.”
That classic country influence is clear in songs like “Breathless” and “The Spark,” which combine catchy hooks and a lonesome drawl with thoughtful, relatable lyrics. Yet, through it all is a note of optimism—and a whole lot of love.
Prince’s latest album, Stand In The Joy, won the JUNO for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year and the Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Album of the Year. This is Prince’s most life-affirming release yet, unapologetically joyful without losing the qualities fans have come to expect.
“That’s what I can do for this northern sound,” Prince told The Toronto Star. “I grew up on a reservation, you know, and lived a life that maybe people aren’t familiar with. The best thing I can do is to keep singing about the truth and things I’ve seen in my life.”
Bruce Cockburn To Be Inducted Into Mariposa Hall of Fame
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Photo credit: Bruce Cockburn performing at 1972 Mariposa Folk Festival. Photo by Edwin Gailits.
RUMOURS OF GLORY?“Mariposa has been at various points a really important part of me being able to get my songs out to people.”
ORILLIA – MAY 9, 2024
The Mariposa Folk Festival will enshrine Bruce Cockburn in its Hall of Fame at this year’s festival, July 5 – 7, at Tudhope Park in Orillia.
“Bruce Cockburn is a courageous and inspiring Canadian artist who first played the festival in 1968 and has graced our stage 8 times over the years,” said Festival president Pam Carter. “We’re honoured to induct him to the Mariposa Hall of Fame this July during his 9th appearance,” added Carter.
“It’s of course an honour,” said Cockburn in reaction to the news. “Mariposa has been at various points a really important part of me being able to get my songs out to people.”
He recalls his first unplanned mainstage appearance at Mariposa: “I was supposed to do an afternoon set – which I did. And Neil Young was on the bill and Neil had to cancel because he had an ear issue or some problem and – all of a sudden – I was on the main stage so I got up and played my songs and people liked it and it went on from there.”
Cockburn and the Mariposa vibe seem to have always dovetailed. While his songs of protest, love, and spiritual quest have moved many Mariposa audiences over the years, in typical Bruce Cockburn fashion, he remains humble in the face of his Hall of Fame induction.
“I actually look forward to being at the festival more than I look forward to getting this. At the same time, it is an honour and I’m very pleased about it,” said Cockburn who, like many patrons, has appreciated opportunities to immerse himself and discover new artists while at the festival: “The famous people were less interesting to me than the people I had never heard of,” he said regarding his multiple appearances at Mariposa.
A special live and pre-recorded tribute to Cockburn will be held on the evening of Sunday, July 7 at Mariposa’s Gordon Lightfoot Mainstage to commemorate the Hall of Fame induction. “You don’t want to miss the special tribute we have planned for Bruce,” said Carter. “It will be an evening to remember.”
The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival (July 5-7 2024, at Tudhope Park, Orillia, ON) features more than ten stages of top folk-roots music, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. All ticket categories are on sale. Kids 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite camping is sold out.
Emerging folk musicians to showcase their talent at upcoming April performance
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Spotlight Article appeared in Orillia Matters on April 19, 2024
The Emerging Artists Showcase is free to attend on April 27th
On April 27th, St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia will be filled with fresh music and a sense of electricity and excitement as ten bands take the stage to compete for a spot at the Mariposa Folk Festival in July.
Starting in 2010 as a way to discover emerging folk music to share with the Mariposa audience, The Mariposa Folk Festival’s Emerging Artists Showcase has become a launching pad for many careers. This year, 291 Canadian artists applied to perform, but only ten were lucky enough to be selected.
“It blows you away the amount of pent-up talent out there that is just looking for their first break,” says Chris Hazel, manager of the Mariposa Festival, adding that although only three of the ten acts will be selected to play at the Festival in July, they’re already all winners because they beat the odds of being selected for the Showcase.
Rebekah Hawker — who describes her music as between the intersection of folk and country — has been applying to perform at the Showcase for the past four years and will take the stage this year.
“…To keep working at something, to get better, and to just have that acknowledged, it feels really good,” Hawker says about being selected. “Honestly, it’s a nice little pause. I don’t think I get to pause very often and be like, “Hey, I think I might be getting better, and this is resonating with people, which is the whole goal.”
Originally from Barrie, ON, Hawker has known about the festival since she was a kid and is excited to connect with and play for the Mariposa folk community.
Sammy Johnston of Sammy & the Band will also be playing at the Emerging Artists Showcase and says it feels great to be grouped alongside the other amazing musicians chosen to play.
“I’ve seen so many musicians that I’ve looked up to at folk fest in years past, from the big stage to the beer tent, so it would be amazing to be a part of that. I remember meeting the Larkin Poe girls after their show in 2018 and feeling extremely inspired. We’re so lucky to have this happen in Orillia,” Johnston says.
Bandmember Jennie Davis adds that she’s personally stoked because she’s been attending the festival since she was 11, and it has always been a dream of hers to perform as an artist at the festival.
Some of the bands that previously played and won the Emerging Artists Showcase, including Union Duke, Cat Clyde, James Gray, and Doghouse Orchestra, will also perform at the Mariposa festival this summer, a testament to how the Showcase can have a lasting impact on music careers.
“Union Duke won the showcase back in 2013, and they’ve gone on to be one of the Mariposa Folk Festival fan favourites, with people going out of their way to see them,” Hazel says.
James Gray, one of the four artists selected from the Emerging Artists Showcase in 2019 to play at the Mariposa Festival that year, says he’s extremely grateful for festivals like Mariposa that give emerging folk singers a broader audience.
“It’s not based on your clout or your experience in the music industry; it’s based on what is coming into their ears,” Gray says. Connecting with other artists and people at the festival and having that community behind him has also helped with his career, he says, and he’s excited to be returning to play at the festival this summer.
All ages are welcome to The Emerging Artists Showcase that is free of charge on April 27th at St. Paul’s Centre in Orillia starting at 1 p.m.
To learn more about all the artists performing, visit the website here.
Artist, Tony Bianco, has teamed with the Mariposa Folk Festival to create an event poster for this year’s gathering (July 5 – 7, 2024) at Tudhope Park, Orillia.
“We’ve been looking forward to working with a local artist on this exceptional, artistic collaboration,” said Mariposa Festival President, Pam Carter. “And what Tony has imagined is nothing less than quintessentially Mariposa.”
The campaign theme of the 2024 festival, Playing in Harmony, helped spark Bianco’s creativity.
“Inspiration always starts with an idea. For me that’s got to be something that has meaning and value,” said Bianco. “I’m not interested in pretty pictures. A good idea conveys a truth, and it should do so clearly. What inspired me for this piece was the idea that music draws us together; families, old and new friends, a community, all gathered around this magic of hearing and making music.”
Mariposa Folk Festival Manager, Chris Hazel, believes sales will be brisk and points out the limited quantity available: “We chose to have only 300 prints created. Tony collaborated with the craftspeople at Rose Printing to adjust the colour and oversee the lithography for optimal reproduction.”
The prints will retail for $25 plus HST and sales will officially launch at the Mariposa Showcase Auditions, April 27th at St. Paul’s in Orillia. They will also be available for purchase at the Mariposa offices on Peter St. in Orillia.
Bianco, who’s studio is nestled in the woods of Severn Township, is a strong believer in the mission and tradition of the festival.
“I’m an artist, and so I believe in truth and beauty, whatever it’s form,” said Bianco. “Mariposa is a real-world opportunity for us to be connected socially around beautiful truths expressed in musical form. In an increasingly polarized and fragmented world, we need that more than ever.”
The broad age range and welcoming vibe of Mariposa followers, fans, and patrons guided the artist’s creative process.
“I start a project like this with a lot of looking and thinking. Sometimes I sketch from life, or from imagination, until a simple but meaningful idea shows up,” said Bianco. “Then I chase it down, trying to refine and edit it. In this case I was able to access many years of Mariposa archives. Using that imagery, I tried to find a theme that spoke about the simple essence of sharing music together as friends and family. I also wanted it to look like home, and appeal to multiple generations, because that’s who Mariposa attracts.”
The Mariposa Folk Festival was founded in Orillia, Ontario in 1961. Through the years, it has grown to become Canada’s most legendary musical gathering. The 2024 lineup will include: Old Crow Medicine Show, Bahamas, Band Of Horses, Noah Cyrus, William Prince, Bruce Cockburn, Amigo The Devil, Donovan Woods, Dwayne Gretzky, Jesse Cook, Joseph, Maestro Fresh Wes, Modern Biology, The Secret Sisters, and many more.
The three-day gathering features 11 stages of top folk-roots music, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. Children 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite camping is sold out. Tickets for Mariposa are on sale via the festival website.
Mariposa 2024 Lineup Announcement: Old Crow Medicine Show, Bahamas, Band of Horses, Noah Cyrus, William Prince, Bruce Cockburn, Amigo The Devil, Donovan Woods, Dwayne Gretzky,Jesse Cook, Joseph, Maestro Fresh Wes,Modern Biology, The Secret Sisters, and More
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ORILLIA ONTARIO – Feb. 29, 2024, 10:00 am
The Mariposa Folk Festival returns July 5 to 7 to Tudhope Park in Orillia with a lineup that includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Bahamas, Band of Horses, Noah Cyrus, William Prince, Amigo The Devil, Donovan Woods, Dwayne Gretzky, Jesse Cook, Joseph, Maestro Fresh Wes, Modern Biology, The Secret Sisters, a special performance by Bruce Cockburn, and more.
The lineup was revealed today for the 2024 edition of the iconic music festival. The Mariposa Folk Festival was founded in Orillia, Ontario in 1961. Through the years, it has grown to become Canada’s most legendary musical gathering. Tickets for Mariposa are on sale via the festival website.
“The festival consistently sells out well ahead of time, and with such a well-crafted lineup, don’t wait much longer before purchasing your Mariposa 2024 tickets,” said Mariposa Folk Foundation President, Pam Carter. “We’re thrilled that families and groups of friends have chosen our event as their essential annual gathering. For 64 years, Mariposa has evolved while staying true to our roots for generations to come.”
In crafting his first Mariposa lineup, Artistic Director, Spencer Shewen, looked to present an engaging roster of talent that recognizes the Festival’s storied history while creating the opportunity to showcase new and exciting artists. “With the lineup we are presenting at Mariposa this year, our attendees are going to be able to see fan-favourites who they know and love as well as many great new and emerging acts that are starting to make waves on the world stage. I have no doubt that our guests are going to come to the Festival to see someone they’ve been listening to forever and, at the same time, leave the weekend with their new favourite band! I’ve always found that the most powerful thing about music festivals is the discovery piece – the opportunity to find something amazing that you didn’t know before attending, that could be the next big thing.”
The 2024 lineup will include: Old Crow Medicine Show, Bahamas, Band Of Horses, Noah Cyrus, William Prince, Bruce Cockburn, Amigo The Devil, Donovan Woods, Dwayne Gretzky, Jesse Cook, Joseph,Maestro Fresh Wes, Modern Biology, The Secret Sisters, Alex Nicol, Amanda Rheaume, B.A. Johnston, Balaklava Blues, Ben Caplan, Benjamin Doerksen, Billianne, Blue Moon Marquee, Bry Webb, Carleigh Aikins, Cassandra Lewis, Cat Clyde, CJ Wiley, Colin Linden, Crystal Shawanda, Doghouse Orchestra, Ellen Froese, Fellow Camper, Field Guide, The Fuddles, Good Lovelies, Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys, Hussy Hicks, Irish Mythen, James Gray, Jeremie Albino, Jessica Charlie, Jiggity James, Jon Muq, Ken Whiteley, Kim Churchill, Lawrence Maxwell, Leeroy Stagger, Mattmac, Mia Kelly, Nancy Kopman, Okkervil River, Old Man Luedecke, Onion Honey, The Paddling Puppeteers, Rick Fines, Rose Cousins, Royal Castles, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Shad, Shaina Hayes, Shawnee Kish, Shebad, Splash’N Boots, Union Duke, The Vaudevillian, Willows, Wyatt C Louis, Young Maestro, and Special Guest Tom Power.
Shewen is particularly pleased with the number of exceptional songwriters in the lineup: “With such gifted composers and lyricists as Donovan Woods, Cat Clyde, CJ Wiley, and many others, I look forward to magical Mariposa moments in workshops, on side stages, and on the Lightfoot Main Stage.”
The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival features 11 stages of top folk-roots music, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. All ticket categories are on sale. Children 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite camping is available. https://mariposafolk.com/
As the snow melts, the sap runs, and the days grow longer, the popular Ontario-based trio, Boreal (Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon, Angie Nussey), takes the stage to celebrate the awakening of spring with their show “Songs of Renewal,”
Mariposa In Concert’s final concert of the 2023-24 season is slated for Saturday, March 9, at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter Street North, Orillia. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 (all fees and taxes included) and are available at the Mariposa Folk Foundation office, 10 Peter Street South in downtown Orillia, or online at this link.
“The musicianship, intricate vocal harmonies and heartwarming songs that Boreal brings will undoubtedly warm the chills of March,” Mariposa Folk Foundation President Pam Carter said. “This will be the last Mariposa In Concert offering before the 2024 Mariposa Folk Festival arrives.”
Boreal’s spell-binding harmonies, combined vocal prowess and tour-de-force songwriting make for a powerful musical event. With humour, storytelling and heart-melting honesty, they take their audience on a journey of friendship, laughter and connection.
Boreal is the magical musical collaboration of Orillia’s songstress Angie Nussey and Guelph musicians Tannis Slimmon and Katherine Wheatley. These three hard-working singer-songwriters, each with their own longstanding, award-winning careers, simply love playing music together. In the winter, they shine their collective light on Canada’s coldest months with their show “Songs for the Snowy Season.” March, April and May are reserved for “Songs of Renewal”, a show that anticipates spring with sun-loving, moon-watching, finger-snapping, heart-touching and deeply uplifting songs.
While these three great friends love to perform as a trio, they also encourage a balancing of their respective solo careers. Angie has been touring and promoting her latest solo album and book, both titled “I Have No Idea What I’m Doing”. Tannis has been performing with multi-instrumentalist Lewis Melville, singing with Guelph’s Ondine Choir, and touring the chateaux of France. And, as well as leading choirs, online sing-alongs and touring with the duo, “Wendell and Wheat”, Katherine has been working as a nature-guide/musician aboard an adventure ship in Alaska.
“Their harmonies were exquisite…not sure there’s another 3 women band in this country that could dream of sounding that good together.”
John Law, Artistic Director, Kingsville Music Society
Boreal started in 2006 at a tea party for three: Tannis Slimmon, Jude Vadala and brand new Guelphite, Katherine Wheatley. They started singing around the table and a few weeks later played their first two shows. The trio’s first CD, “Winter’s Welcome” (2014), is a collection of winter-themed songs, from seasonal classics to original jazz, folk and gospel-tinged dedications to ice and snow.
Angie Nussey is the most recent member of Boreal. She lovingly replaced Jude Vadala in 2019. The trio had one season with Angie before the world changed. In isolation, they worked together-apart, writing and recording songs. Boreal continues to work on their new album, their first with Angie. It will be released in late 2024.
The Mariposa Folk Foundation’s 2023-24 Concert Series is sponsored by Alleycats Music & Art, Amy & Al Wallace, Apple Annie’s Café, Bell Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Centre, Cathy Cleary Design, Colour n’ Light Muskoka, Dapper Depot, Dentistry on West, Lavender Hills Farm, Paul Raymond, Susie Q Fudge and Gifts and Tim Lauer, Sales Representative, Royal LePage Real Quest Realty.
Mariposa’s Annual ‘Evening of Blues & Gospel’ Show Feb. 3, 2024
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ORILLIA ONTARIO, 11:00am December 15, 2023
Mariposa in Concert’s (MIC) wildly popular ‘An Evening of Blues & Gospel’ Show returns Saturday Feb. 3, 2024 at the Orillia Opera House with another incredible lineup of all-star vocalists and musicians assembled, arranged and directed by Orillia’s own JUNO award winning producer, Lance Anderson.
“This is our 12th annual Blues & Gospel Show and it comes at a perfect time as a mid-winter relief,” Mariposa Folk Foundation President Pam Carter said. “This music definitely lifts your spirit.”
Tickets are $35 (all fees and taxes included) and are available at the Orillia Opera House Box Office or online at orilliaoperahouse.com. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Please note that the elevator at the Orillia Opera House will be undergoing maintenance and will be unavailable for patron use for this show.
Winner and 2020 nominee for the Maple Blues Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year, Lance Anderson, is musical arranger and director of the show. Seven-time Maple Blues award winner Kenny (Blues Boss) Wayne is headlining along with the phenomenal talent of Jordan John and legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer bassist Prakash John. Local Blues favourite from Rama First Nations Ronnie Douglas will bring his guitar-based rockin’ blues and soulful voice to the stage. As in past years Lance will introduce an artist that is new to the Mariposa audience, the incredibly gifted pianist Michael Shand, from Toronto.
“Lance Anderson’s musical connections run deep in the industry and he always assembles a stellar group of artists,” Carter said. “We sell out this show every year and people are well-advised to pick up their tickets as soon as possible. They make excellent Christmas gifts.”
Kenny (Blues Boss) Wayne
Award winning international piano blues artist on Stony Plain records, Wayne was born in Spokane, Washington, and raised in New Orleans, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He started playing piano at 13 and has been performing for over 50 years.
Over the years he has performed with and shared the stage with a great many of the world’s most influential blues and rock pioneers, including Jimmy Reed, Pinetop Perkins, Johnnie Johnson, Joe Louis Walker and Floyd Dixon, and as a guest performer with well-known rock and soul artists that have included Ike Turner, Sly and the Family Stone, Delaney and Bonnie and members of Santana and the Doobie Brothers. And recently, performed as a guest artist with the Legendary Downchild Blues band at Massey Hall in celebration of their 50 + years of playing the blues.
His many awards include seven Maple Blues Awards (Toronto Blues Society) for ‘piano player of the year’ and three outstanding keyboard awards from Living Blues magazine, in which he was hailed as “an artist bringing the piano back to the front ranks of contemporary Blues.” In 2006 he won a Juno Award for Best Blues Album and was nominated three times afterwards. 2023 nominated for Pinetop Perkins ‘Piano Player of the Year’ from the Blues Music Award. The Blues Boss has been on many covers of blues magazines worldwide including the Living Blues Magazine 2022 June/July issue. This year, Kenny recently received the prestigious ‘Bobby Blue Bland’ Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jus Blues Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia. And he is also nominated as 2023 Keyboard player and traditional blues band of the year by Blues Blast Magazine. Kenny now resides in beautiful Burlington, ON.
Jordan John
International lead vocal & multi-instrumental sensation Jordan John is a more powerful, polished & accomplished musician than many players twice his age. Adept on drums, keyboards, guitar and bass, he is a uniquely diverse & refined sonic embodiment of sheer talent & pure artistry.
Be it performing in front of 20,000 + as a lead singing, guitar wielding frontman opening for The Queen of Soul, Miss Aretha Franklin (at her personal request), jamming at age 16 on drums with the artist formerly known as Prince, performing as a featured lead vocalist and guitarist for 16x Grammy Award Winning Producer & Hitmaker David Foster at the 30th Anniversary of the Blue Note Tokyo or appearing as interim bassist for famed Canadian rock trio, Wide Mouth Mason, Jordan’s talent & energy excites & delights spectators as well as his industry peers and musical luminaries all over the globe.
Garnering praise from the who’s who of the music industry such as world renown producer David Foster, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Bob Ezrin, Steve Jordan, Keith Richards, Robbie Robertson, you may begin to register the proper amount of astonishment his musicality can command.
Jordan’s diverse multi-instrumental ability has allowed him to perform & record at the highest level on drums, guitar, bass & B3 Hammond organ for the following Canadian, American & U.K. artists: Jeff Healey, Martin Short, David Foster, Burton Cummings, Colin James, Wide Mouth Mason, Ronnie Spector, The Trailer Park Boys, Johnny Reid, Deborah Cox, Divine Brown, Lucky Peterson, Matt Schofield, Pinetop Perkins, Elise LeGrow, to name but a few.
Bolstered by a world class band featuring legendary American Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame bassist Prakash John and some of Canada’s brightest young, up and coming musicians, Jordan’s refreshing interpretation of soulful classics and original repertoire are sure to captivate and amaze both avid and casual fans of music well into the next decade and beyond!
Prakash John
It would be hard to find a musician anywhere who’s had a career as diverse and successful as Prakash John. As the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bassist for George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic forges ahead in his fifth decade in the music business, there are still few artists of any age who can match his proficiency, energy, groove, and commitment.
His acclaimed career boasts a thorough pedigree of touring and recording credits. Namely, iconic classics such as Lou Reed’s ‘Rock’n Roll Animal’ & ‘Sally Can’t Dance’, Alice Cooper’s ‘Welcome To My Nightmare’ & George Clinton’s ‘Parliament – Chocolate City’ & ‘America Eats Its Young’ to name but a few.
In addition to being the leader for 40 years of Canada’s Premier Rhythm ‘n Blues band The Lincolns, John has appeared as a sideman in film, studio and on stage for stars such as James Brown, The Blues Brothers, Dr. John & The Night Trippers, Paul Shaffer, The Trailer Park Boys, Rory Block, Pinetop Perkins, Frank Zappa, Gene MacLellan, Junior Wells, and Mike Bloomfield.
Ronnie Douglas
Ronnie Douglas is no stranger to the Orillia music scene.He is a two-time Maple Blues Award nominee for Best New Group/Artist and two-time Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for Best New Blues, Ronnie Douglas’s music has been featured nationally in blues radio programs and on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN) Rez Bluez series.
Since forming his group in the mid ’90s, notable festival performances include the Great Canadian Blues Festival, the Mariposa Folk Festival, the Southside Shuffle, and the Orillia Spring Blues Festival. Ronnie comes from a long line of great blues musicians from his community that included his brother Larry Douglas.
Michael Shand
Over 30 years of performance worldwide has earned Michael Shand his place in the upper echelon of keyboardists in all of Canada. Despite, in just four years, having achieved a grade 9 Royal Conservatory of Music classical piano certification, his musicality has been deeply rooted in jazz, having been immersed in it since birth in the home. He then went on to study jazz at York University where he was a recipient of the Oscar Peterson Scholarship Award.
However, it is the diversity of his musical influences that have uniquely molded his playing style and made him a top choice for so many artists, across so many genres. Shortly after leaving York, Michael, then 22, was pianist and musical director for the quintet, Kollage, which featured Archie Alleyne and Dougie Richardson, pillars of Canada’s jazz community. His professional career was on it’s way. The people he has worked with since, on the road and in studio, are some of the ‘who’s who’ of the Canadian music scene. They include jazz vocalists Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Kellylee-Evans, Micah Barnes & Bille Newton-Davis (The Nylons), Matt Dusk, Sophie Milman, Laila Biali, Heather Bambrick (Jazz Fm 91.1) and instrumental artists Joy Lapps, Larnell Lewis (two-time Grammy winning drummer of Snarky Puppy), Alexis Baro, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, Pee-Wee Ellis (James Brown Band), Roy Hargrove & Gregory Hutchinson and Caribbean jazz sextet Kalabash.
Michael Shand as also worked with: Soul/R&B artists Sean Jones, Glenn Lewis, Omar Lyefook (UK), Divine Brown, Jully Black, Shakura S’Aida, Jarvis Church (Philosopher Kings), Haydain Neale (Jacksoul), Kreesha, as well as hip-hop artists Kardinal Offishall, Maestro Fresh Wes, and Partynextdoo.
He is currently musical director for, Johnny Reid, with whom he has completed six sold out Canada-wide tours over 11 years, countless worldwide concerts since 2010, performed on the Junos thrice, and received his first Certified Canadian Platinum Award for his piano work on Reid’s album “A Christmas Gift to You” (2019). Michael has earned a Gemini award for his performance with Kollage on a CBC tribute to legendary singer, Salome Bey, and a Grammy nomination for his songwriting work on the Gramps Morgan reggae album, “Positive Vibration” (2021). Michael has also released his debut album, “Patience for Life” (2012) which features Larnell Lewis, Ross MacIntyre, Kelly Jefferson, Kevin Turcotte and more.
Lance Anderson
JUNO award winning producer Lance Anderson returns once again to reprise his role as musical arranger/director behind Mariposa in Concert’s annual ‘An Evening of Blues and Gospel’ Show.
Anderson, who has been performing for 50 years, was nominated for the Maple Blues Award for Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year, and his new band Matchedash Parish was nominated for 2 Maple Blues Awards in 2020 for: New Artist/Group of the Year and Record of the Year (Saturday Night).
The Orillia resident has still had a busy year with a new show that premiered to rave reviews at the Kitchener Blues Fest – GET BACK The Rooftop Concert the BEATLES Never Gave. The Last Waltz – A Musical Celebration of The Band; and Everyday People – The Music of Sly and the Family Stone, are two theatre shows that played festivals and concerts this past summer. His new jazz project Lance Anderson and World Jazz Asylum was a hit at the Orillia Jazz Festival this fall. Add to that the 60th Anniversary show ’60 in 60’ that was commissioned by the Mariposa Folk Festival in 2022, which was repeated at the Opera House in November of this year.
In 2015, Anderson and Kelly Peterson, widow of the late Oscar Peterson, co-produced a three-CD set of Oscar Peterson classics entitled Oscar, with Love. Anderson himself contributed two performances – Sir Lancewell, an original composition Peterson wrote for him, and O.P.’s Boogie, which Anderson wrote for Peterson based on some lines from one of the jazz legend’s solos.
Still one of the busiest producers and arrangers in Canada, Anderson looks forward to another year of projects, including a new CD by The Matchedash Parish, his new, large ensemble featuring Matt Weidinger. This group played to rave reviews at the Mariposa Folk Festival, Montreal Int. Jazz festival, Mont Tremblant Int. Blues Fest and the Kitchener Blues Festival in 2019.
He has a new N’Orleans based band called the NOLA Parish that is performing in Panama February 2024. Anderson is currently co-executive producer of the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival and the Beaches Panama Jazz and Blues Festival both in Panama.
Mariposa selects Spencer Shewen for Artistic Director
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ORILLIA ONTARIO – October 26, 2023, 10:00 am
The Mariposa Folk Foundation is pleased to announce that following a thorough search, Spencer Shewen has been hired as Artistic Director. Shewen replaces Liz Scott who recently stepped down after 7 successful years.
Mariposa Foundation President Pam Carter oversaw the Foundation board’s recruitment and interview process. “We were looking for someone who can continue to build on our vision for the future. It wasn’t enough to appreciate our history – although that was essential – we needed someone who can deliver on the Mariposa promise of being true to our roots for generations to come and we are confident that we found that person in Spencer,” said Carter.
Shewen is well respected, with a wealth of experience and a demonstrated history of success in supporting the Canadian live music scene. Since 2014, he has been the Artistic Director at the celebrated and fast-growing Riverfest Elora, a complementary role to his new one with Mariposa that he will maintain. Shewen also holds positions on the Board of Directors for the River and Sky Festival in Sudbury and the Elora Centre for the Arts. Previously, he has held seats on the Board Of Directors for the Halifax Pop Explosion, the Hillside Festival, worked as Artistic Director for Waterstock, curated the Fortnight Music series and acted as Label Manager for SunnyLane Records.
“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity and I am aware of the weight that this role represents and the importance of this festival to so many people,” said Spencer. “Mariposa holds a unique place in the Canadian live music landscape.” What can Mariposa patrons expect from their new Artistic Director? “Not only will we see many well-known Mariposa favourites but our patrons will also have the opportunity to discover their new favourite performers.”
Founded in 1961, the Mariposa Folk Festival is one of North America’s most iconic annual gatherings. Over the years the Main Stage – which was renamed this year in memory of hometown hero Gordon Lightfoot – has featured such artists as Joni Mitchell, Pete Seeger, Buddy Guy, Leonard Cohen, Joan Baez, Odetta, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt, Spirit of the West, The Barenaked Ladies, Serena Ryder, Blue Rodeo, Jason Isbell, Feist, and of course, Lightfoot himself. The two most recent Mariposa Folk Festivals sold out of weekend passes. The lineups for the 3-day Mariposa Folk Festival (July 5-7, 2024) include upwards of 60 acts performing on 10 stages of top folk-roots music, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. Kids 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite RV and tent camping is available. Tickets for the 2024 edition are available now at the Mariposa website: https://mariposafolk.com/
Mariposa Artistic Director leaves strong legacy – Liz Scott steps down after successful 7-year run
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ORILLIA ONTARIO – July 31, 2023, 10:00 am
The Mariposa Folk Foundation announced today that Artistic Director Liz Scott is stepping down after 7 successful years and two consecutive festival sell-outs.
“Liz Scott shared the duties of Artistic Director with Mike Hill for the 2017 festival and took sole control of the artistic reins in 2018,” said Mariposa Folk Foundation President, Pam Carter. “During her tenure, our lineup continued to receive critical acclaim, our audience grew, and we were successful in attracting new fans. As I am fond of saying, Mariposa is true to its roots – for generations to come – and Liz has made an outstanding contribution to that end.”
The two most recent Mariposa Folk Festivals sold out of weekend passes long before gates opened. The ratio of younger demographics flourished during Scott’s tenure helping to secure Mariposa’s long-standing leadership role in the industry.
The Mariposa Folk Foundation Board unanimously thanked Scott for her dedication, creativity, and unique talent for assembling multi-layered lineups – always with something for everyone.
In crafting lineups, Scott was inspired by the beauty of Mariposa’s natural setting and her belief in the importance of in-person connections: “Pulling together the program is so exciting. New artists are there to be discovered from stage to stage to stage. That’s the trust audiences have had in Mariposa for over 60 years. It’s simply the best annual reunion of beautiful souls in a glorious setting.”
“We know that someone with Liz’s talent will continue to influence live music in Canada and the board wishes her well in all her future endeavours,” added Carter.
The Mariposa Folk Foundation anticipates launching the process to recruit its next Artistic Director by the end of the summer.
The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival features more than ten stages of top folk-roots music, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. Kids 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite RV and tent camping is available. Tickets for the 2024 edition will be available for purchase this fall.
