Music on the Green

Maggie Lane + Scott Patrick perform, 2018

Every Friday and Saturday evening during the summer, the Mariposa County Arts Council hosts Music on the Green Summer Concert Series in downtown Mariposa’s outdoor Art Park. These free concerts begin at 7pm and feature folk, bluegrass, rock, jazz, reggae, country, and world music bands hailing from the Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, and San Francisco Bay Area, bringing together both local and visiting concertgoers of all ages. This program is produced by Andy Roberts.

Music on the Green is now closed. Look for announcements and schedules Spring 2023.


Past Series

2022 Line Up

June 3The Jespersons
June 4The Trespassers
June 10Chris Doud
June 11Mike Hammar and the Nails
June 17Yosemite Songwriting Retreat Showcase
June 18Scott Little
June 24Hank Lemar, Andy Roberts and Fritz Baggett
June 25Nicholas Lefler
July 1High Country Chimes
July 2Soul Galaxy
July 8Clan Dyken
July 9Night Wolf
July 15Tom V and the Creekers
July 16Mike Hammar and the Nails
July 22Blue Skies Trio
July 23Adam Burns Solo and Little Tiger
July 29Kidd Hollar
July 30Green Machine
Aug 5Candice Lamb
Aug 6Ted Nunes and Richfield
Aug 12Gail Dreifus & David Budries
Aug 13Tarantula and the Turtle Doves
Aug 19Songwriters in the Round (Hank Lamar, Cheyenne Hernandez, Tony Morrow, Kay Jeperson)
Aug 20Dirty Red Barn
Aug 26 Good Medicine
Aug 27Roger Perry

Music on the Green Student Artist 2022
Celianna Lee

Music on the Green’s artwork, “Dogwoods” was created by Celianna Lee, soon-to-be Senior at Mariposa County High School. Celianna is a versatile artist with a focus on digital illustration and acrylic painting. Her various inspirations have helped develop a contrast and color-orientated style, which play deeply into each composition. 

“I’m a passionate artist. Every piece I create is made with intention, emotion, and love. I chose dogwood flowers to symbolize our community.”



Special Thanks to Our 2022 Sponsors

Performances are made possible by support from Mariposa County, the California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and the following loyal sponsors:

James WhittkopfXav Dubois and Sean Aiken

Saralynn Nusbaum
and Don Melcher
Dewey Family Trust
Meadow Creek Ranch Bed & BreakfastDog Grooming by Tess
Dave and Terry RozelleKevin Cann & Beth Waldow
Pamela FlickMariposa Certified Farmers Market
The Local Grape

Program Origin & Cousin Jack

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Known as a “One Man Happiness Festival”, Cousin Jack Franklin was a minstrel, street musician, promoter, “tuistinairist” and beloved by the community. Music on the Green was originally called “Cousin Jack’s Music on the Green” in honor of Cousin Jack’s efforts establishing the Mariposa Art Park and his dedication to Mariposa’s creative music community . . .

Dancing to the music. Photo by Jeanine Andre
Photo by Jeannine Andre

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 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 1920’s 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.

Cousin Jack and a group of business owners influenced the County to purchase vacant land on Hwy 140 and 4th Street to become an Art Park. Cousin Jack’s dream became a reality in 2004 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 was pleased to dedicate our Summer Music series in his honor. Music on the Green is well known as: “Cousin Jack’s Music on the Green.”