Event Dates: June 24, 2011 - August 27, 2011

If you like great live music in an outdoor setting on warm summer nights, bring your family and friends to the Mariposa County Arts Council’s Cousin Jack’s Mariposa Evenings!

Family friendly performances take place each Friday and Saturday evening in the Mariposa County Art Park, located on Highway 140 at 4th Street. Local musicians perform blues, bluegrass, country, rock, or jazz in historic Mariposa – all at no charge. 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.

“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, 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 its Summer Music series in his honor and renamed it Cousin Jack's Mariposa Evenings.

The sixth year of this successful summertime tradition takes place June through August 2011 beginning at 7:00 pm. Learn more about “Cousin Jack” by visiting the Mariposa County Arts Council’s website along with a list of musicians, music selection and schedule at www.arts-mariposa.org.

Cousin Jack, known as a "One Man Happiness Festival", 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 San Francisco 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 by 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.

In addition to Cousin Jack’s Mariposa Evenings, the Mariposa County Arts Council presents a nationally recognized Storytelling Festival on the second weekend of March. Many of the artists who perform for Mariposa Evenings also perform in the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra throughout the year. For information, schedules and regional art, visit the Mariposa County Arts Council at 5009 5th Street in historic downtown Mariposa.

Admission Fee: Free

Ages Event is Appropriate For: All ages