Submitted by Jeff Blalock
MARIPOSA – The whole town is gearing up for the Mariposa Butterfly Festival, being held on May 2nd and 3rd in downtown Mariposa.
This year’s music and entertainment lineup for the Mariposa Butterfly Festival is sure to be a hit. The Arts Park stage will be moving and grooving all weekend long.
Starting after the parade on Saturday, local high school and Beat Harvest students will kick off the great tunes with their rock group Montano. This young and energetic group has been making waves all over town.
Colorado Road is led by the talented and soulful singer, songwriter and teacher Gail Dreyfus. A local favorite, this group has recently evolved into a five-piece string slingin’ Americana group. Gail’s powerful lyrics, backed by this talented band, are not to be missed.
Michael Hall not only brews some fabulous beer, but he’s also the front man for Rio Loco. Good ol’ fashioned country, mixed with some Southern rock grunge. Andrew VanWyhe adds just the right twang and soaring solos, while Scott Nady keeps the steady rockin beat.
Hailing from Fresno and currently on their nationwide summer tour, Cloudship is a 2-man rock band with a truly unique sound. One half R&B rock singer, one half acoustic metal guitarist. One awe-inspiring and instrumental composition.
Rounding out the day, Bret Wice and his original progressive rock group Moon in Leo will grace the Arts Park stage. After a decade of deep cuts and melodic harmonies, this band seems to still leave us wanting more. Their debut album The Ninth Year was just released on Amazon.
Spectators of this year’s Butterfly Festival will be pleased to witness the return of Mana Fire, a talented and eclectic local fire-dancing troupe. Combining artistic beauty and meticulously practiced skills, Heather Lawson and her team always have their audience in awe. The grand finale performed with Moon in Leo, should finish off Saturday with smiles.
On Sunday, local churches and religious groups will be offering music and worship to all those interested. A burrito breakfast will be served, and all are welcome to join in the fellowship.
Sunday afternoon patrons will find local jazz and folk groups, The Jespersons and Cello Shack making great music in the park. Jared and Kaye Jesperson have a beautiful sound and talent base. From Jerry Garcia to Bobby Darin and Billie Holiday, their musical influences shine through to your soul. Kathy Bogle will join Kaye with the soothing string sounds of the cello.
Be sure to catch all the great talent and entertainment at the 2015 Mariposa Butterfly Festival, happening all weekend, the first weekend in May, in the Arts Park, located in downtown Mariposa, on Highway 140 between 4th and 5th Streets.
