Musical variety fills Mariposa Evenings

A lively blend of musical styles echoes through the downtown area of Mariposa this summer as regional bands perform in free outdoor concerts every weekend.

Several years ago, Jack Franklin, fondly known as Cousin Jack, enlisted interest and help from local business owners to nudge county supervisors into voting to buy a small piece of land for future development as an outdoor music arena. Before that, Music on the Green brought in local bands to perform on a patch of grass in front of a building in town.

As word spread and crowds grew, Cousin Jack, a skilled musician and music store owner, wanted to do something more to promote music appreciation and education in the community.

Donna Brownell, director of the Mariposa County Arts Council, calls the Arts Park a beautifully landscaped natural amphitheater. The park was completed within a year of Franklin's passing, but his spirit lives on, some would say, through the many lives he influenced and mentored. While the names and faces have changed over the years, the musical flavor remains the same.

Ronnie Sweeting has been organizing the Mariposa Evenings event for nine years. He knows which bands are local favorites and keeps his ear tuned to new acts playing original sounds. A talented musician himself, he occasionally joins some of the bands on hisguitar.

"There's a lot to get excited about in this summer's lineup," Sweeting says.

Groups still set to appear this summer include Green Machine, The Well, Queso Fresco (with well-known recording artist Eddie Senegal on saxophone and woodwinds), the Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Timberline, No Borders Blues Band, the Santa Cruz Cats and the Adams Burns Band.

"The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit defy categorization. They're amazing," Sweeting says of the Oakdale-based band.

The Outfit's quirky, Americana/country/almost jug-style sound is entertaining and lots of fun. This group just wants to make good, honest music that folks can move their feet to. In the valley, the Outfit can be heard on a regular basis at the Cow Track in Oakdale. It's also performed on Strawberry's main stage.

Performance dates for Mariposa Evenings are listed at the Art Council's Web site, www.arts-mariposa.org. For more information, call (209) 966-3155 or 800-903-9936.

Mariposa Evenings are held on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. through the last weekend in August. The Arts Park is located at the intersection of Highways 49 and 140 at the south end of town. The event and parking are free, but tips are appreciated. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, as are dogs on leashes.

The lineup for the remainder of the season:

• Today: Green Machine — The very best and authentic reggae jam band in California. The light show effects and sound-bytes mix make the show an experience.
• Saturday: The Well — On Neil Young's list of favorite bands, this original group defies easy classification.
• Aug. 12: Queso Fresco — Jazz, in the Afro-Cuban style, featuring famed recording artist Eddie Senegal on reeds
• Aug. 13: The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit — Nearly indescribable fun. Are they country, Americana, rock? Ask the folks who've seen them at Carter Ranch, Strawberry, Great American Music Hall and other venues and festivals.
• Aug. 19: Timberline — Traditional bluegrass featuring tight and sweet vocal harmonies
• Aug. 20: No Borders Blues Band — Hard-driving, Texas-style blues from a band making its Mariposa Evenings debut. There are no borders to the blues.
• Aug. 26: Santa Cruz Cats — The blues from Santa Cruz (a hotbed of music) featuring the energized playing of the Hagar Bros.
• Aug. 27: The Adams Burns Band — An Englishman in the Sierra leading his band in performing his rhythmic compositions. A Mariposa Evenings favorite.