Best Lineup in Years

Posted on May 3, 2018

Mariposa Folk Festival has announced the full 2018 lineup, and it’s a winner! On top of well-known artists like Walk Off The Earth, Alan Doyle, Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, Larkin Poe, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Bahamas, the festival will feature 50 plus of the best folk-roots artists on the North American and international music scenes. The finale will be a fabulous, great big show called The Matchedash Parish, a dream team of celebrated musicians and singers.

Mariposa Folk Festival takes place July 6th, 7th and 8th, 2018, in beautiful Tudhope Park in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, on the shores of scenic Lake Couchiching.

According to Artistic Director, Liz Scott, “We’ve got an exciting mix of music, from worldwide sensations like Walk Off the Earth to Canadian treasures like Valdy to international stars like Nick Lowe and right back to the family area with puppet shows and hula hoop workshops and karaoke.” Scott added, “We’re staying true to our roots while providing a balanced and fun-filled folk festival with a strong focus on community. Lots of stages and interactive activities in a beautiful park. It’s a great way to spend a summer weekend!”.

The 3-day Mariposa Folk Festival will have song, story, dance and craft on more than ten stages. Tent and RV camping is available on the festival site. Special pricing for youth and young adults. Kids 12 & under admitted free.

According to Festival Chair, Pam Carter, “It’s shaping up to be one of the best editions of Mariposa Folk Festival in decades. Ticket sales are very robust, and we haven’t even announced all of our programming yet.” Carter hinted at an upcoming announcement about an important figure in Canadian folk music history, stating “Soon we will share some exciting news about a prestigious event planned for the Main Stage”.

Here is the full lineup for Mariposa Folk Festival 2018 in alphabetical order:

A.J. Croce, Abigail Lapell, Alan Doyle, Alfie Smith & Nicole Christian, Angelique Francis, Angie Nussey, Anh Phung, Ariko, Bahamas, Bill & Joel Plaskett, Birds of Bellwoods, Blind Boy Paxton, Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Cécile,
Doo-Kingué, Danny Michel, Dave Penny, Defying Gravity: A Tribute to Jesse Winchester, Earle and Coffin, Élage Diouf, Fast Romantics, Fitzgerald Sisters, Fred Eaglesmith, Fränder, Gareth Pearson, Good Enough Live Karaoke, Good Lovelies, Hat Fitz & Cara, Ilaria Graziano & Francesco Forni, Iskwé, Jenie Thai, Kevin Breit, Land Of Talk, Larkin Poe, Leif Vollebekk, Lisa LeBlanc, Madison Galloway, Mark Reeves, Molly Tuttle, Mélisande [électrotrad], Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, Port Cities, Shreem, Skye Wallace, Slocan Ramblers, Tami Neilson, The Free Label, The Heavyweights Brass Band, The Kubasonics, The Matchedash Parish, The Wanted, The Western Swing Authority, Treasa Levasseur, Valdy, Walk Off The Earth, Wendell Ferguson, Zachary Lucky.

Mariposa Folk Foundation Appoints a New Artistic Director

The Board of Directors of Mariposa Folk Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Liz Scott of Meaford, Ontario, as Artistic Director of the storied Mariposa Folk Festival.

Scott is assuming the artistic mantle from long time Artistic Director, Mike Hill, who will continue contributing to the organization as a member of the Board of Directors and as a resource to Scott.

Commenting on Mike Hill’s rich legacy as Artistic Director, Mariposa Folk Foundation President, Pam Carter, expressed warm regards, “I know that I speak for the entire Mariposa family in expressing deep gratitude to Mike for his wonderful work over the past many years. He is stepping down as Artistic Director at a time when the festival has reached new popular, and artistic, heights”.

Welcoming Liz Scott to the Mariposa fold, Carter focused on the incumbent’s substantial experience in artistic direction and programming, “Liz comes to us with a strong artistic background. She also worked closely with Mike Hill in assembling the impressive artistic lineup of Mariposa Folk Festival 2017. We are very pleased to have Liz on board, and look forward to her artistic choices for the 2018 Mariposa Folk Festival and beyond.”

Liz Scott’s live music background includes serving as a presenter, promoter, artistic director, and agent, from house concerts to soft seat theatre shows to festivals. She has been bringing great folk and roots music to appreciative audiences for many years, including renowned artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Danny Michel, Hawksley Workman, Steve Poltz, Lynn Miles, Dala, Donovan Woods, Fred Eaglesmith, Séan McCann of Great Big Sea, Whitehorse, Liam Titcomb and more. Scott is a former Artistic Director at Eaglewood Folk Festival and Village Vibes at Blue Mountain Resort, and has served as a Juno Awards Judge, Folk Alliance International mentor, and is a current member of the Folk Music Ontario Board of Directors.