Mariposa County Arts Council supports the performing arts. Please see Other Featured Programs for details.
Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings -- Summer 2008
Mariposa County Art Park
Hwy 140 and 4th Street
– 7:00 pm –
Plan your summer weekends to include the tradition of "Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings". The Mariposa County Arts Park is located between 4th and 5th Street on Hwy 140, in historic downtown Mariposa. Free music performances take place each weekend on Friday and Saturday evenings during the summer. Ample parking is available on 5th Street, with a pleasant stroll along the Creek Walkway into the park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for the best seating amidst native plants, turf, roses and music.
Friday, June 20 • Hwy 49 – Classic rock covers, led by Cousin Jack’s son Glenn
Saturday, June 21 • The Joe Dollar Band – Family friendly, album oriented rock cover band
Friday, June 27 • Electric Blue – High energy blues featuring the entertaining Hagar Bros.
Saturday, June 28 • Steve Johnson & Those Bob Tones – International blues recording artist from N.Y. in a rare left coast performance
Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5 • NO Mariposa Evenings
Please join the
Mariposa Symphony Orchestra at the Mariposa County Park Amphitheatre ($6 & $4)
Friday, July 11 • Brent Schroeder – Folk troubadour playing eclectic covers & originals
Saturday, July 12 • Adam Burns Band – An Englishman in Yosemite with a sort of “Dave Matthews” vibe
Friday, July 18 • Bret Wice – Asopriam & Moon in Leo leader-solo with special guests
Saturday, July 19 • Tender Loinz – Singer-songwriter Jae Rymer fronts with “chace cut” original songs
Friday, July 25 • Jimmy Collier – Local (National) folk hero with impressive old time pedigree
Saturday, July 26 • Charlie’s Country – Authentic old school Country Western music; celebrating 51 years
Friday, August 1 • Smiley Mountain – Traditional & contemporary bluegrass & gypsy music
Saturday, August 2 • The Trespassers – High lonesome gypsy & bluegrass originals from the High Sierras
Friday, August 8 • Rhythm Addicts – Rhythm & Blues covers & originals from night club veterans
Saturday, August 9 • The GrassKickers – The best in bluegrass including former members of “Boys in the Woods”
Friday, August 15 • SnakeRock – Classic strong rock covers led by Bill DeWitt
Saturday, August 16 • Green Machine – The best purveyors in California of reggae-jam sounds
Friday, August 22 • Pacific Vibe – Cool, smooth jazz, led by drummer Rudy Marino-real jazz heritage
Saturday, August 23 • Mike Hammar & The Nails – Home grown Native American playing electric power blues with a smile
Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings
Great Music
Great Small-town Welcome for our Visitors
Thank you to our musicians who donate their talents to our terrific community!
Sponsors make it possible!
Thanks to our many sponsors, Mariposa Evenings upheld our summer tradition of fun and good music in the park, for all to enjoy!
Thank you to our Mariposa Evenings Sponsors support thru May 2008
California State Mining & Mineral Museum
Carol Johnson
Charles Street Dinner House
Chris Hutcheson, DC
Dolls by Alinda
Foster True Value Hardware
Freeman & Seaman Land Surveyors
Grace Note Chimes
Carrie and Tom Guarino
JESKEHomes
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Lawson Construction
Mariposa Board of Realtors
Mariposa Glass
Mariposa Lodge
Mariposa Museum & History Center
Mariposa Odd Fellows
Mariposa Shipping Co.
R.B. Associates
Sierra Telephone
Starchman & Bryant Attorneys at Law
Yosemite Mariposa Bed & Breakfast Association |
The Arts Council wants to acknowledge the people "behind the scenes" also-
Glenn Franklin and friends:
Thanks for putting up our Shade Cloth.
Mariposa County Public Works Department:
Thank you for installing our "community painted" mural.
Mariposa County Parks and Recreation:
Thank you for your consistent support.
And our Music Coordinator and host: Ronnie Sweeting:
Thank you for contracting our performers and hosting each evening!
"Cousin Jack"
 Known as a "One Man Happiness Festival", Cousin Jack Franklin was a minstrel, street musician, promoter, "tuistinairist" and beloved by the community! Born in Iowa in 1929, Cousin Jack came to San Jose in the late 30's. He played big band trumpet in the late 40's and 50's, owned the famous "Jack's Record Cellar" in San Francisco, he was a long-time member of the "Marsh Flat Ramblers", a folk singing group in the Bay Area, and a regular performer with the Harvest Festival for 15 years. In 1989 he opened Cousin Jacks Music/Dolls by Alinda in Mariposa.
Cousin Jack loved Mariposa, and loved making Mariposa visitors remember their trip-sharing samples of gold, coins from all over the world, balloon sculptors and spontaneous performances, Cousin Jack was instantly loved. In gratitude to Cousin Jack and wife Alinda, for being a positive representative of Mariposa, sharing their smiles, spirit, good cheer, support, energy and expertise so generously, Cousin Jack was named "Honorary Mayor" and Good Will Ambassador for Mariposa.
Cousin Jack's birthday celebrations were a time of year to gather the community, play some music, have fun, and raise funds in support of organizations such as the SPCA. This free-spirited musician, who picked a 1920s Montgomery Ward Parlor acoustic guitar, dulcimer, harmonica and that throwback banjo, played for anyone who would listen! Cousin Jack could play "Mary had a Little Lamb" on virtually any instrument for local youth. He spent many hours volunteering in the schools giving free music lessons to children, and supported many local organizations.
In 2001, the Mariposa Gazette reported that Cousin Jack was a man with a mission: "His mission is simple, to take an unused lot near the crossroads of 49 and 140, clean it up, and turn it into a park for the arts. The space is easy to spot on Hwy 49 between the new Chocolate Soup and the regretfully unutilized, historic Tabucco Warehouse. A quick stroll down the Mariposa Creek Walk and Cousin Jack's idea of an Art Park suddenly improves from a good idea to a great idea." In 2004, the dream became a reality-with the new Mariposa County Art Park. It is a beautifully landscaped, natural amphitheater, with a small stage. For the 2005 celebration for Cousin Jack, the Mariposa County Arts Council is pleased to dedicate our Summer Music series in his honor. Mariposa Evenings will now be:
"Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings!"
A blanket or a lounge chair provide the best seating for performances. Ample parking is available on 5th Street. A short stroll along the Mariposa Creek walkway also provides handicapped access. |
