Mandolin Orange Added to the 60th Anniversary Lineup

Mandolin Orange Added to the 60th Anniversary Lineup

Posted on

Mariposa Folk Festival has announced the addition of Mandolin Orange to the 60th anniversary artistic lineup.

This Americana roots duo has helped to redefine the genre for a younger generation, blending storytelling with acoustic elements of bluegrass, folk and country, and amassing an impressive fan base through live shows and online streaming.

Festival Artistic Director, Liz Scott, says she “…first saw Mandolin Orange at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival five years ago when the husband and wife team was in their mid-twenties, and fell in love with their intimate harmonies and sweet-toned folk and bluegrass-tinged vibes.”

Scott added, “Now their songs are at the top of playlists everywhere and they’re loved by audiences of all ages, and they’re bringing their full band to Mariposa.”

Mariposa Folk Festival previously announced that John Prine and Mavis Staples will perform on the festival Main Stage, and has, so far, unveiled about 2/3 of the artists that will perform at the 60th anniversary festival. More exciting lineup announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival takes place July 3-5, 2020, in Orillia, Ontario, on more than ten stages, and features top folk-roots music presentation, 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 RV and tent camping is available.

Union Duke: A Mariposa Showcase Story

Union Duke: A Mariposa Showcase Story

Posted on

On April 15th, 2018, 1:00-4:00 p.m., at the Best Western Plus Mariposa Inn & Conference Centre, 400 Memorial Ave in Orillia., the Mariposa Folk Festival is hosting its annual Mariposa Showcase, this year with eight emerging bands and performers auditioning for three performance spots at the summer Festival.

Mariposa Showcase has been a launching pad for some great talent. This includes Union Duke, a Toronto based folk quintet that melds indie rock vibes with the absolute best parts of bluegrass and country. In 2014, they ‘showcased’ and ended up on a Mariposa stage. It was a great opportunity for exposure and a chance to perform for one of the best and biggest crowds you can find!

Union Duke recently wrote to Mariposa Folk Festival to say that Mariposa Showcase changed their careers, calling it a “huge milestone”. Mariposa was the biggest venue they had ever played. Their booking agent, Jim McDonald, who was in the audience says, “In a way we owe it to Mariposa for setting up years of work for us.”

According to McDonald, following their first moment in the Mariposa spotlight Union Duke has maintained a positive and ongoing relationship with the Festival. This allowed them to return to the Mariposa stage, bigger and more popular than ever! McDonald went on to explain that auditioning live at Mariposa Showcase was a blessing because the band’s energy and charm shines through in their live performances.

Union Duke has a jam-packed touring schedule across Canada this summer. Check out their show listings at unionduke.com.

Here’s to hoping that more artists like Union Duke get their careers launched at Mariposa Showcase 2018!

Byline: Jaina Kelley, guest blogger and Lakehead University student

Griddle Pickers – Acoustic Country and Bluegrass

Griddle Pickers – Acoustic Country and Bluegrass

Posted on

griddlepickersAcoustic country and bluegrass band, The Griddle Pickers is dedicated to producing organic, homegrown music steeped in the area’s diverse mix of musical traditions.

They’re a tight and close-knit group, with brothers Sean and Dale Patrick providing lightning-quick pickin’, supported by bassist Mike Milner and his guitar-strummin’ daughter, Sarah.

With vocal talent ranging from bass to soprano, all four members sing, blending their voices to create rich harmonies.

Playing traditional and original bluegrass, country and folk tunes, they’re willing to break the rules and take risks and produce delightful musical surprises.

They have been performing across the region, and were recently interviewed for Bluegrass Canada Magazine.

https://youtu.be/0zO5yabD6Nc

The Barrel Boys Churn Out Toe Tapping Tunes

The Barrel Boys Churn Out Toe Tapping Tunes

Posted on

barrelBoysFeaturing luscious vocals and barn-burning instrumentals, The Barrel Boys are a new staple on the bluegrass scene.

Appreciated for their versatility and eclecticism, their repertoire ranges from bluegrass to classic country, old-time, folk, and roots rock.

Their debut full-length album of entirely original tunes features the superb song writing of all five members, and demonstrates the uniqueness of their sound while staying rooted in tradition.

Recorded live off the floor in the space of just a few days, it is both spontaneous and authentic sounding.

Always entertaining, these guys churn out toe-tapping tunes that pair perfectly with good times and discerning music fans.

RUNA – Bringing a Mystical, Lyrical, Exciting Sound to Mariposa

RUNA – Bringing a Mystical, Lyrical, Exciting Sound to Mariposa

Posted on

runaRecognized as one of Irish music’s new super-groups, RUNA has been enchanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music.

Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of bluegrass, flamenco, blues, and jazz, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music.

The group has been honoured internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and an Independent Music Award for Best World/Traditional Song.

They combine vocals, step-dancing, guitar, percussion, mandolin, bodhrán, and fiddle for a sound that is at once mystical, lyrical, unique and exciting.

A Joyful, Foot Stomping, Energetic Musical Experience – Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys

A Joyful, Foot Stomping, Energetic Musical Experience – Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys

Posted on

godieThe exhilarating live show of Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys will enthrall you with engaging, sometimes jaw-dropping, stagecraft and showmanship.

With flavors of traditional bluegrass and roots music, bolstered by stunning musicianship, these guys are literally taking the world by storm, and making their way to Mariposa’s stages via numerous stops in Australia and the U.K.

Featuring fiddle, feet, vocals, bass, drums, percussion, mandolin, banjo guitar and pedal steel guitar, these four blazing musicians know how to turn up the heat and really get a place hopping.

It’s a joyful, foot stomping, energetic musical experience, and one you surely don’t want to miss!

Check out our Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys storyboard on Pinterest. Click on Follow to get all of the Mariposa Pinterest updates.

Elephant Revival: Bound to Take Mariposa By Storm

Elephant Revival: Bound to Take Mariposa By Storm

Posted on

elephantRevivalEvery once in a while, a truly original, fantastic-sounding group comes along and creates excitement on the Americana music scene.

Meet Elephant Revival!

Transcendental folk is perhaps the best way to describe their exciting musical stylings.

They are a troupe of accomplished players and vocalists, composers and songwriters that incorporates elements of Scottish/Celtic fiddle tunes, original folk pieces, traditional ballads, bluegrass, gypsy, psychedelic country, indie rock, reggae, jazz and an occasional hip-hop beat into a pleasing sonic mélange.

Individually and collectively, they have performed with or opened for a wide range of celebrated performers from Bela Fleck and Little Feat to George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic – how cool is that?

Five simple words represent the ethos of this unique grouping of talent that shares a commitment to responsible environmental stewardship, “Where words fail… music speaks.”

Mariposa Folk Festival is very pleased to welcome Elephant Revival to our stage. Once you see them perform live, we are pretty sure that you will be pleased too!

Check out our Elephant Revival story board on Pinterest. While you’re there, click on Follow Board to get updates.

The Carper Family to Swing Through Mariposa

The Carper Family to Swing Through Mariposa

Posted on

carperFamilyCrystalline harmonies, swinging melodies, bopping rhythms and sheer musical fun. These are just some of the descriptors for The Carper Family, an Austin Texas based trio that’s generating critical praise and a lot of attention wherever they perform. With immaculately blending voices, warm, enticing songs, an upright bass, a fiddle and a guitar, The Carper Family has a sound that’s new – 50 years ago. Their original tunes range from deeply-moving to profoundly quirky, and their catalogue of lesser known country titles is equally rich. They are dedicated to preserving the fertile and sprawling history of American country music through bluegrass, old-time, country and swing tunes that honour American musical traditions at every step. If bringing joy to audiences is the ticket to success, it’s a sure bet that these three will be playing their new-old music to lucky folks for many many years to come. See them live at Mariposa Folk Festival 2014.

See more photos, videos and information about The Carper Family on our Pinterest Board and our website. Got your tickets yet? Don’t wait, get them today!

Oh My Darling, Boy Can These Girls Play!

Oh My Darling, Boy Can These Girls Play!

Posted on

Appearing on the Sunday Evening Main Stage and on various other stages during the festival weekend, Oh My Darling is a group with a sweet name and an even sweeter sound. Their mix of prairie roots, bluegrass, Appalachian old time, southern twang, and Franco-folk is a beautiful mélange of musical influences. Infused with dynamic vocals, brilliant claw-hammer banjo, inspired fiddling, and grooving bass, their music will get your hips swinging, toes tapping, and put your heart right into their hands. Individually, each of the members is among the hottest players on the Canadian roots scene. Together, boy can these girls play. Expect dazzling solos, soaring vocals, and unique grooves, along with beautiful arrangements that weave together poetic lyricism and lovely melodies. Check out this live performance of one of their francophone arrangements, Champ de Bataille, written by Louis Riel as a prisoner in Regina in 1885, not long before he was executed for High Treason.

Rough and Rowdy Union Duke Hitting Mariposa Stages

Rough and Rowdy Union Duke Hitting Mariposa Stages

Posted on

roughRowdyThis dynamic folk act bridges the gap from big city rock to country bluegrass with entwining, rambling banjos, soaring vocal harmonies, plucking electric guitars, and a fast, heel stompin’ beat. Their rough and rowdy dynamic, strong stage presence, and great tunes make them a real crowd pleaser at clubs and festivals. You have to see these five guys live, with their truckload of stirring folk rock, to understand how really very good they are. Their two well-received albums, Bandits & Bridges (2013) and One and Two (2012), also drive that point home. This is one band you don’t want to miss.