Canada 150 Archives | Mariposa Folk Festival and Foundation

Iconic Canadian Artists to Headline Mariposa for Canada 150

Posted on January 23, 2017

Orillia, Ontario, Canada – The lineup of the storied Mariposa Folk Festival is shaping-up to be the most impressive one in many years. With an all-Canadian roster of headliners plus an homage to a seminal Canadian roots music group, this year Mariposa will celebrate its important contributions to Canada’s folk-roots music heritage. It’s a fitting tribute in recognition of Canada 150, Ontario 150, and the sesquicentennial year of the festival’s host community of Orillia, Ontario.

Among the iconic Canadian artists that will top the bill at Mariposa Folk Festival are:

Barenaked Ladies, whose career shot through the stratosphere following their first Mariposa Folk Festival appearance at Ontario Place in 1991 (Friday night)
Matt Andersen, who had his first Mariposa appearance as an up-and-comer in 2007 and is making a triumphant return this year as an evening Main Stage closer (Saturday night)
Bruce Cockburn, whose numerous Mariposa Folk Festival appearances began early in his career in 1968 at Toronto Island (Sunday night)

Closing the festival on the Sunday Evening Main Stage is a very special presentation, ‘The Last Waltz – a Musical Celebration of The Band – Live’. This homage to The Band, a quintet of four Canadians and one American that created the musical foundation of the Americana music movement, will celebrate one of the most famous concerts in popular music history. Under the direction of Juno award winning producer and musical director, Lance Anderson, it will feature a 9-piece all-star band plus special guests.

According to Artistic Director, Mike Hill, “This is just a taste of the rich artistic lineup coming together for Mariposa Folk Festival 2017. We look forward to making dozens more exciting announcements over the coming days and weeks”.

Mariposa Folk Festival takes place July 7th, 8th and 9th, in beautiful Tudhope Park in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, on the shores of scenic Lake Couchiching.
The 3-day Mariposa Folk Festival features the best folk-roots music on the North American scene as well as story, dance and craft on twelve stages. All categories of tickets are now on sale. Kids 12 & under are admitted free. Tent and RV camping is available on the festival site.

Barenaked Ladies Join the Mariposa Folk Festival Lineup

Posted on January 19, 2017

January 19th, 2017 – Mariposa Folk Festival organizers announced today that one of Canada’s most celebrated music groups, Barenaked Ladies, will perform at this summer’s festival.

Mariposa Folk Festival takes place July 7th, 8th and 9th, in beautiful Tudhope Park in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, on the shores of scenic Lake Couchiching.

Barenaked Ladies has earned their status as Canadian icons by serving up rock with a shot of wry. The band is famous for its offbeat humour, infectious enthusiasm on stage and its own unique brand of music, which sits somewhere at the intersection of indie-rock, alt-pop and what you might call improvisational rap.

According to Artistic Director, Mike Hill, “Barenaked Ladies is known world-wide as the quintessentially Canadian band. We’re bringing them back to Mariposa after a long hiatus to help us celebrate Canada 150, Ontario 150, and Orillia 150, as well as our rich musical heritage”.

The 3-day Mariposa Folk Festival features the best folk-roots music on the North American scene as well as story, dance and craft on twelve stages. All categories of ticket are now. Kids 12 & under are admitted free. Tent and RV camping is available on site.

More artistic announcements will be made in the coming weeks and months.

Celebrating Canada’s Rich Music Heritage – ‘The Last Waltz – a Musical Celebration of The Band – Live’

Posted on December 13, 2016

Orillia, Ontario, Canada – Festival goers to this year’s Mariposa Folk Festival are in for a very special homage to the seminal group, The Band. Summoning the atmosphere of the group’s famous farewell concert, The Last Waltz, a 9-piece all-star band along with special guests called ‘The Last Waltz – a Musical Celebration of The Band – Live’, is being assembled by Juno award winning producer and musical director, Lance Anderson.

It will be a celebration of one of the most famous music happenings in popular music history. This special presentation is part of Mariposa’s celebration of Canada’s rich musical heritage for Canada 150.

According to Artistic Director, Mike Hill, “Mariposa is very proud to shine a spotlight on our country’s rich folk-roots music heritage. One of the most influential groups ever to come out of Canada was The Band. They created the musical foundation of the Americana movement, and roots music was forever changed.” He added, “Our Mariposa audience is in for a very special performance with The Last Waltz – a Musical Celebration of The Band – Live”.

Mariposa Folk Festival takes place July 7th, 8th and 9th, in beautiful Tudhope Park in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, on the shores of scenic Lake Couchiching. The 3-day event features the best folk-roots music on the North American scene as well as story, dance and craft on twelve stages. All categories of ticket are now on sale at the best available price. Kids 12 & under are admitted free. Tent and RV camping is available on site.

Mariposa organizers have indicated that an announcement of a big-name artist will be made in the coming days.