Announcing Mariposa In Concert November 20th – Betty and the Bobs

Announcing Mariposa In Concert November 20th – Betty and the Bobs

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Mariposa Folk Festival

Orillia, Ontario – October 28, 2021  –
 

Mariposa In Concert Returns With Betty and The Bobs November 20!
 
The triumphant return of the Mariposa in Concert series features Betty and The Bobs, a group of seven talented artists providing an entertaining, fun-filled night of great music!

“Betty and The Bobs were a favourite at the 2000 Mariposa Folk Festival, which was the first year of the festival’s return to Orillia,” explained MIC Chair Pam Carter. “It’s only fitting to have them open up our first concert series since the pandemic shutdown.”

Betty and The Bobs formed as an extracurricular vehicle for a group of well-known musicians and friends who work together in various combinations. Their repertoire includes a bunch of tunes from a wide variety of genres, including country, blues, R&B, Beatles, jazz and some of their own wacky songs.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 28. They are $30 advance (all fees and taxes included) and are available online at mariposafolk.com or at the Mariposa Foundation office, 10 Peter Street South, Orillia (705-326-3655). Tickets at the door will be $35. The show is on Saturday, November 20th at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter Street North in Orillia. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Proof of full vaccination is required.

Betty and The Bobs, in alphabetical order, includes Wendell Ferguson, Rich Greenspoon, David Matheson, Soozi Schlanger, Suzie Vinnick, Katherine Wheatley and David Woodhead. 

Wendell Ferguson (vocals, guitar) is the six-time Canadian Country Music Association Guitar Player of the Year and has traveled the globe accompanying a who’s who in both the country field (George Fox, Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks) and the folk arena (Quartette, Bob Snider, Cindy Church). As for his own hilarious tunes, well – when the band has a “Wendell moment”, everything stops for a sideways look at the world.

Rich Greenspoon (drums) has played drums with Oliver Schroer’s Stewed Tomatoes, Njacko Backo, and Rare Air as well as on recordings in many contemporary styles, including world music and jazz.  He’s an esteemed drum teacher and has been busy in the last few years producing albums for other artists.

David Matheson (piano, vocals and more) is a guitar, dobro and banjo picking, accordion/keyboard playing, singer/songwriter and one-quarter of the former Canadian folk group, Moxy Früvous – is the newest Bob.  His songs are original, moving, quirky and perfect for this band.

Soozi Schlanger (vocals, fiddle) is best known as the voice and fiddle that drives “Swamperella,” a traditional Cajun band with a devoted following and a strong CD offering.  As one of the Betties, she sings old-time country and forties jazz with unstoppable conviction.

Suzie Vinnick (vocals, bass, guitar, and mandolin) is a multiple award-winner (for bass playing, songwriting and singing) including ten Maple Blues Awards, the 2011 Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Vocalist of the Year and a three-time JUNO nominee. With Betty and the Bobs, this talented multi-instrumentalist can play anyone’s part, but it’s her voice, a voice of spun honey and gold, and her original rendering of classic songs that knocks peoples’ socks off.

Katherine Wheatley (vocals, guitar) plays at folk clubs across Canada and in Europe and has released three CDs. Hailed by critics as “a truly Canadian original” and a songwriter with “an uncanny depth of observation”, she always comes up with gems for the band to perform and for the audience to sing along with.

David Woodhead (vocals, bass, mandolin) is best known for his creative instrumental work in the folk world, including recordings and/or performances with Perth County Conspiracy, Stan Rogers, Brent Titcomb, Valdy and Loreena McKennitt.  In addition to producing albums and writing music for film and television, he’s released his own CD, Sweets and Conundrums. In Betty and the Bobs, David gets to expose a roots-ier side and do some lead vocals.

The Mariposa Folk Foundation’s 2021-22 Concert Series is sponsored by Alleycats Music & Art, Apple Annie’s Café, Bell Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Centre, Cathy Cleary Design, Dapper Depot, Dentistry on West, Downtown Computers, Hog ‘n Penny Pub, Lavender Hills Farm, Mariposa Market, Mary Bouchard IG Wealth Management, Tim Lauer, Sales Representative, Royal LePage Real Quest Realty; Wes Trinier and Wildflower Farm.
 
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
705-326-3655www.mariposafolk.com

Mariposa Satellite Concerts Announcement

Mariposa Satellite Concerts Announcement

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Mariposa Folk Festival

Orillia, Ontario – September 27, 2021  –

Mariposa Folk Festival is excited to announce that it will be presenting the Mariposa Satellite Concerts on October 23, 2021. This event will include an amazing lineup of artists with afternoon shows at five satellite venues and a main stage performance at night.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 11am and are available at the Orillia Opera House box office.
 
The satellite venues will include a wide range of experiences: a tent at ODAS Fairground will be reminiscent of a Mariposa pub tent; the Mariposa Grande ballroom at the Best Western Mariposa Inn will provide an unmatched intimate setting; the barn at Braestone is nestled in an idyllic pastoral setting; St. Paul’s Centre is a beautifully refurbished church space; and, finally, the historic Orillia Opera House which will host a daytime satellite stage as well as the evening main stage performance.
 
Mariposa Folk Foundation President, Pam Carter, stated, “The return to live music, with an extraordinary lineup, is a joyous occasion for Mariposa. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Government of Ontario, whose Reconnect grant has helped to make this event possible, as well as the ongoing support of the Paul Quarrington Legacy Fund and the BruceGreySimcoe Regional Tourism Organization.”
 
The main stage at the Orillia Opera House will commence at 7:30pm and features Donovan Woods, winner of the 2019 Juno Award for contemporary roots album, plus Mariposa favourite Shakura S’Aida and Evangeline Gentle.
 
The afternoon concerts will run from 1:00pm to about 5:00pm and patrons can choose one of these breathtaking lineups:
 
ODAS Fairground – Jay Stiles, The Connors Brothers, The Honeyrunners, and Danny Michel
Best Western Mariposa Inn – James Gray, The Doozies, Kaia Kater, and Amanda Rheaume
Braestone Barn – Mimi O’Bonsawin, Ariko, Rick Fines, and Terra Lightfoot
St. Paul’s Centre – Zachary Lucky, Kyla Charter, Birds of Bellwoods, and Suzie Vinnick
Orillia Opera House – Lydia Persaud, Coco Love Alcorn, Angelique Francis
 
Mariposa Folk Festival Artistic Director Liz Scott enthused, “There really is something for everyone in the Satellite Concerts lineup – longtime Mariposa favourites, established folk stars, and remarkable emerging talents.”
 
Event coordinator Fred Addis said “The seed of the idea for the Mariposa Satellite Concerts event grew out of the disappointment of the Mariposa Folk Festival’s cancellation and the ongoing COVID restrictions. How could we return to live music, in a safe environment, while hiring artists and production professionals who have been largely out of work for 18 months? The answer was to spread a mini-festival out over multiple satellite venues, each with limited capacities. We think audiences are in for a treat.”
 
Tickets for all the shows go on sale on Tuesday, September 28th at 11am from the Orillia Opera House, online at www.orilliaoperahouse.ca or by phoning the box office at 705-326-8011. Tickets for each of the daytime satellite concerts are $30. Tickets for the evening main stage performance at the Opera House are $40. While quantities last, for $60, a patron can purchase one satellite stage concert of their choosing plus the main stage show. All prices include HST and service charges.
 
Carter stressed that “Mariposa’s primary focus continues to be the safety of our patrons, artists, and volunteers, so comprehensive COVID-19 protocols will be in place at all venues”.
 
COVID-19 requirements for admission are as follows. Participants will need to provide digital or printed proof that they are fully vaccinated along with proof of identification. Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions will need to provide a doctor’s note until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate. In addition, those with medical exemptions will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, within 48 hours of the scheduled show. Children born in 2010 or later, who are unable to be vaccinated, will be permitted to attend if accompanied by an adult who meets these COVID-19 requirements. Masks must be worn at all times. Removal of a mask is allowed as per provincial guidelines when you are eating, drinking, or for other medical needs.

All event details available here: https://mariposafolk.com/event-info/mariposa-satellite-concerts/
.
 
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
705-326-3655www.mariposafolk.com

Mariposa Folk Festival 2021 Canceled Due to COVID-19

Mariposa Folk Festival 2021 Canceled Due to COVID-19

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Today, organizers of the storied Mariposa Folk Festival, held in Orillia, announced the cancellation of this year’s festival scheduled for July 9-11, 2021, due to COVID-19.

During the past many months, Mariposa Folk Foundation has been in regular communication with the festival community, artist managers, core organizing volunteers and members of the production team. Organizers have also been following the communications of public health and other authorities. 

In the spirit of Mariposa’s values, including maintaining trust, it was important to us to consider the interests of everyone with a stake in Mariposa Folk Festival as we made the decision on the fate of the 2021 festival.

The 2021 festival, even at reduced capacity and/or programming, no longer seems viable under the current conditions with the number of COVID-19 cases, a continuing lockdown, the unavoidable setbacks in the rollout of vaccines and the low likelihood of receiving permits in time to do the extensive planning that is required. As a result, organizers have determined that cancellation is the only appropriate course of action.

The festival had, once again, planned to celebrate its much anticipated 60th anniversary this year with one of the strongest lineups assembled in decades.

Artistic Director, Liz Scott, stated “It was exciting building this lineup of amazing musicians and of course it’s disheartening that we won’t be able to gather together to watch it all unfold. But when we do get back together in July 2022, everything will seem sweeter”.

In a statement issued to the media, the organization stated that its top priority is the health and safety of the audience, artists, volunteers and other supporters. It also stated that, even though the festival is still some months away, organizers felt that the announcement should be made as early as possible to allow interested parties and ticketholders maximum time to plan accordingly.

Mariposa is offering ticket purchasers a deferral for 2022 festival tickets, a full refund, or the option of donating ticket purchases back to the festival, a non-profit organization and a registered charity. Donations can also be made via Canada Helps.

The President of the Mariposa Folk Foundation and Festival Chair, Pam Carter, stated: “It’s very disappointing that we’ll all miss Mariposa Folk Festival again this summer, especially considering the incredible lineup. We will begin to plan for a fantastic return and celebration on July 8-10, 2022”. Organizers are planning alternate activities for the later part of 2021, which will be announced once plans have been finalized and it is determined that it is safe to proceed. 

Carter wishes to assure all that the organization is strong, vibrant, financially sound and ready to gather in celebration as soon as it is safe to do so. We have remained active for 61 years and will continue to be part of the arts community.  She also wishes to thank all Mariposa’s supporters who conveyed messages of hope and goodwill to the organizers.

For more information and interviews phone 705-326-3655.

www.mariposafolk.com