Music on the Green is back, live (and in-person!) with free summer concert series starting July 9th, 2021.
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.
2021 Line-Up
| July 9 | The Trespassers |
| July 10 | Nicholas Lefler |
| July 16 | Gail Dreifus |
| July 17 | Tarantula and the Turtle Doves |
| July 23 | Scott Little |
| July 24 | Soul Galaxy |
| July 30 | Clan Dyken |
| July 31 | Green Machine |
| August 6 | Hank Lamar/Tom V and the Creekers |
| August 7 | Adam Burns Solo and Little Tiger |
| August 13 | Annie and Renee |
| August 14 | Blue Skies Trio |
| August 20 | The Grasskickers |
| August 21 | Mike Hammar and the Nails |
| August 27 | Good Medicine |
| August 28 | Roger Perry |
2021 Student Artist
We’re honored to introduce Autumn Stock as Music on the Green’s 2021 student artist. Autumn is a soon-to-be senior at Mariposa County High School and has long been an energetic and talented artist. Growing up in Yosemite, Autumn has always felt a deep connection to the rich tapestry of the Sierra Nevada and spends her time painting watercolor en plein air landscapes and vibrant local flora and fauna. She is available for commission at autumn.stock.art@gmail.com.
Details of her piece “In Tuolumne: Clark’s Nutcracker and Indian Paintbrush” are use throughout Music on the Green’s marketing material for 2021.
Special Thanks to Our 2021 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 Whittkopf | Carol Johnson |
Saralynn Nusbaum & Don Melcher | Ladybug Embroidery & Garment Printing |
Meadow Creek Ranch Bed & Breakfast | Dog Grooming by Tess |
Dave and Terry Rozelle | Restful Nest Bed & Breakfast |
Sue Overstreet | Foster Ace Hardware |
Program Origin & 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 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.
Photo by Jeannine Andre
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”
