Of course, the big news over this past week is that Mariposa Folk Festival has finally released its lineup for 2024. Artistic Director Spencer Shewen has put together an interesting, eclectic lineup for his first outing, with hopefully a little bit of something for everyone.
The headliners include Old Crow Medicine Show, Bahamas, Band of Horses, Noah Cyrus, William Prince, and a special performance by Bruce Cockburn, which will be very special! Other names that I am interested in include Donovan Woods, Rose Cousins, Sarah Shook, and Jeremie Albino, who is really making a name for himself across North America.
Irish Mythen is back, as is Ken Whiteley, Colin Linden, and Union Duke. And it will certainly be fascinating to see how Maestro Fresh Wes melds into the Mariposa scene. It’s going to be a great weekend, it always is, so grab your tickets quickly. This one could be another sell out. Mariposa runs July 5 to 7 at Tudhope Park right here in Orillia, and you can get your tickets here.
Speaking of music festivals, do you have your tickets for Roots North Music Festival’s 10th anniversary, yet? Headliners at St. Paul’s Centre for this special year are Begonia, Spencer Burton, Julian Taylor, the Red Hill Valleys, and Bleeker! Plus, of course, a myriad of musicians playing throughout the downtown.
Your wristband gets you in to see the headliners on the Friday and Saturday night, as well as the art market which runs during the festival, in St. Paul’s lower level. And, you can gift your wristband to a friend, if you can’t make both nights. That’s a good deal. Roots North is happening April 18 to 21 and you can get your wristband here.
Of course, March break is happening in just a couple of days, and there is good news for those of you who aren’t taking off for the week. It’s Tap into Maple time! This maple syrup season has been a bit of a weird one, just like our winter/spring, but it has apparently been good news for our maple syrup producers. Many are reporting record amounts of sap, so this year’s Tap into Maple should be delightful.
There are 18 locations for this year’s Tap into Maple route, including eight maple syrup producers, who are open for you to see what they are all about. This is a great opportunity to show the kids how maple syrup is made, get outdoors, take some walks, and enjoy the sweetness of this special time of year.
You can get all the information about Tap into Maple 2024 on the Orillia Lake Country website, here.
This weekend, The Old Dance Hall Players present Guns and Rosies, an improv comedy show at the Orillia Opera House, on Friday night. This will be hilarious and will likely sell out, as it often does. You can get your tickets through the opera house here.
Saturday night, Mariposa in Concert presents Boreal, with Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon and Angie Nussey, at St. Paul’s Centre. This is the final Mariposa in Concert show for the season, so you won’t want to miss it. You can grab your tickets here www.mariposafolk.com.
Also Saturday night, Green River Revival, a CCR tribute band, plays at the Orillia Opera House. Tickets here.
And, playing at Couchiching Craft Brewery, Friday night Paige Rutledge; Saturday night Burke Erwin; and Sunday afternoon, Jazz in the Afternoons with Will David and Chris Robinson.
Coming up on March 24 at 2 p.m., the Orillia Silver Band is teaming up with the Orillia Vocal Ensemble for a Safety and Shelter concert, in aid of Green Haven. More next week, but you can grab your tickets now at www.orilliasilverband.com.
Have a great March break, and if you have arts news, send it to [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be included.