Showcase for Emerging Artists – Auditions

Artist Selections for 2024 Showcase

Here is the list of selected artists for the April 27th Showcase. Congratulations on being selected out of 291 amazing submissions:

Clay Hazey

Dandelion Highway

Emma Elena Grace

Jeff Beadle

Loryn Taggart

May Davis

Rebekah Hawker

Sammy & the Band

School House

Sleepy Jean

Date and Time of the 2024 Showcase Auditions: The Showcase will be begin at 1pm on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at St Paul’s Centre in Orillia, ON.

The event is free of charge and all are welcome to come enjoy the music. Come discover your new favourite Mariposa artist!


Mariposa Folk Festival has a proud reputation of discovering and launching new talent. One important way we do this is through our annual Mariposa Showcase for emerging artists – an audition in front of panel of judges and a live audience. Why not make a submission and try for a chance to audition to perform at Mariposa Folk Festival 2024?

Making a Submission:

The Showcase Committee reviews electronic submissions only.  Click the link above to apply during the application window (January 11 to February 28).

The Showcase application will ask you to provide:

  • Brief biography (less than 100 words)
  • Links (not attachments) to three songs. Preference for YouTube clips of live performance.
  • If your submission includes musicians who won’t be taking part in the Showcase, please specify which musicians will participate.

Acts with more than 3 full-length CD recordings do not qualify to audition at the Showcase (does not include former projects with other bands).

The committee will not accept applications from artists who have been selected to perform at Mariposa Folk Festival in past festivals.

Deadline for 2024 Showcase Applications: Submissions will be accepted between January 11, 2024 and February 28, 2024. The earlier the better as our committee will be looking at applications as they are received.

Date and Time of the 2024 Showcase Auditions: The audition will be held on the afternoon of April 27, 2024 at St Paul’s Centre in Orillia, ON. The event is free of charge and all are welcome to come enjoy the music.

Successful Applicants:

Based on the submissions, a shortlist of performers will be invited to audition in Orillia, Ontario, where Mariposa Folk Festival takes place. Only those invited to audition will be contacted at this stage, and the list will be posted on the Mariposa Folk Festival website. Each act will be allotted 20 minutes to setup and perform, which is usually enough for about three songs. A stage crew will assist with setup. You will be asked to provide a simple stage plot if you have more than three performers in your group. We can accommodate groups of up to 6 performers. Performers will receive a stipend for their performance.

Finalists:

A panel of judges will choose three finalists from among the auditioning acts. The three finalists will be invited to perform at Mariposa Folk Festival, 2024. The specific time slots and other details will be included in a contract drafted by Mariposa Folk Festival. The final terms of the performance will be discussed with artists before arrangements are finalized. For more information call 705-326-3655 or email officemanager@mariposafolk.com.

Please note, the artists selected to play the Mariposa Folk Festival will be paid fees of: $800 solo, $900 duo, or $1000 band.

Showcase is not for Established Artists:

If you are an established artist wishing to perform at Mariposa Folk Festival, the Showcase is not for you. Established artists can find information here.