July 7, 2024

COME FOR CASUAL SMALL STAGES, STAY FOR THE BRUCE COCKBURN, DWAYNE GRETZKY MAINSTAGE HEADLINERS AT MARIPOSA

Photos, story Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

ORILLIA — Many folk fans still come to Mariposa for the intimate small stages, but the it’s the bigger acts on the Gordon Lightfoot Mainstage that draw the larger crowds.

That’s why the former shut down at 5 p.m. to make way for the evening headliners who are less folksy.

At the Ruth, Barnfield, Boho and Mariposa Pub stages dozens of singers, songwriters and amazing musicians are only feet from your feet, within acoustic earshot and easily accessible for personal chats afterwards.

“You’re amazing.” “Loved your set.” “How about a selfie?”

**The Good Lovelies Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore provided easy listening folk music that wrapped up with a beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah at the Estelle Klein Stage.**

The Mariposa Folk Festival is about people, music and fun at the same time. But the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Wander, wind down, gear up. Do whatever pleases you. And you’ll enjoy yourself, whether people watching or being introduced to new unheard of artists who entertain like none you’ve likely heard before or will again.

There were plenty to choose from — like them or not so much.

You can’t argue their talents and most of the time the stories they told.

Workshops and wonders echoed out on the Tudhope Park peninsula, making for a pleasant walk on a sunny Saturday and Sunday.

From the easy listening Good Lovlies at the Estelle Klien Stage to the raucous Colin Linden and the Doghouse Orchestra at the end of the point the sights and sounds were a daily delight worth taking a stroll to listen to.

The Sunshine Folkplay stage was a great place by the “Couch’” to hang out with the kids.

**Amigo the Devil livened the Mainstage with a raucous set that set stage for the evening’s big headliners.**

**Tall and tanned and young and lovely — the girl from Amigo Devil.**

But when the crowds took a break for an expensive bite and were moved front and centre for the 6 p.m. Mainstage events, it was out of the shadows and in to the more lively limelight in a field full of lawn chairs and blankets lying in wait for the headliners.

Friday night that meant the Secret Sisters, Cat Clyde, William Prince and Barrie’s own Bahamas.

Last night it started with Irish Mythen, guitar virtuoso Jesse Cooke with some cool calypso beats, Amigo the Dead and seductive Noah Cyrus who couldn’t wait to hear Band of Horses close the night.

Tonight it’s the big tribute and induction of Bruce Cockburn in to the Mariposa Hall of Fame at 6 p.m. after his much folk performance.

Joseph, the Old Crow Medicine Show and the much anticipated by the young fans of Dwayne Gretzky, which blends more main stream musical styles.