The Band 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.

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.

Colourful Character Magoo Passing Through

Posted on May 28, 2014

Magoo Magoo is a colourful character.

You name it, he’s probably done it.

From singer-songwriter, host, family performer, guitar teacher, and backyard shed builder, to fashion trend setter (check out his Fashion Tips for Tuesday blog), he’s done it all.

Magoo has been writing songs and playing them in clubs, concerts and festivals across the country since 1974.

He’s even opened for the likes of Taj Mahal, Roger McGuinn, The Band, Joe Cocker, and David Bromberg.

A delight to audiences of all ages, he’s making a happy return this year to Mariposa, the festival that inspired him to take all this fun so dang darned seriously.

Rosanne Cash is our Sunday Evening Main Stage Headliner

Posted on December 18, 2013

rosanneCash The very first artist we are announcing for Mariposa Folk Festival 2014 is Rosanne Cash. We couldn’t think of a better way to begin unveiling what’s shaping up to be one of our best ever line-ups than with this iconic musical figure whose music crosses the genres and the generations.

During her diverse musical career, Rosanne Cash has topped the music charts, gathered loads of accolades and awards, performed or recorded with a veritable who’s who of international stars, and released fourteen albums, with one the way. Though the daughter of a folk-country legend, Rosanne Cash charted her own path in song, drawing upon the folk, pop, rock and blues traditions, and earning a loyal fan base with every step.

With a career in high gear, in the 80s Cash curtailed her work for childbearing and to raise four daughters. She left Nashville and its country music establishment in the early 90s, settling in lower Manhattan with then husband, Rodney Crowell. Cash later married her current musical collaborator, the producer/songwriter/guitarist, John Leventhal, with whom she has one son.

For two and a half years in the late 90s, Cash was unable to sing due to a polyp on her vocal cords. Her musical career was disrupted again in 2007 when she underwent brain surgery for a rare condition. During these musical down times, Cash pursued other creative pursuits including writing, with several books published and numerous articles in prestigious periodicals and collections.

In recent years, Cash released a highly acclaimed album, The List (2009), comprised of twelve songs from a list of the 100 greatest country and American songs given to her at the age of eighteen by her father, Johnny Cash. That album, which features vocal duets with Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jeff Tweedy, Rufus Wainwright and Neko Case, was named Album of the Year in in 2010 by the Americana Music Association.

Cash’s highly anticipated follow-up album due in January 2014, The River & The Thread, has also received critical, pre-release praise. Inspired by swampy Delta blues, gospel, Appalachian folk, country and rock, it tells the stories of a colourful, multi-generational cast of characters from the south through a collection of contemporary songs.

In addition to her own recordings, Rosanne Cash has made guest appearances on albums by the likes of Guy Clark, Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Chieftains, and others, as well as on children’s albums. She has also appeared on tribute albums to The Band, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Jimi Hendrix, Yoko Ono, Tammy Wynette and more. Recently, Cash was featured in a global Americana tourism promotional campaign performing her composition, Land of Dreams.

Rosanne Cash with be the headlining act on Mariposa’s Sunday Evening Main Stage, closing the festival with what promises to be one of those concerts that sticks in your mind long after its over. Staring in January, we will begin announcing a few artists per week until the whole fantastic line-up for Mariposa Folk Festival 2014 is unveiled.

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

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