Mariposa U at Lakehead University puts the music in your hands
Members of the acoustic roots group, My Sweet Patootie, performing at this year’s Mariposa Folk Festival, will be part of the instructional team at Mariposa U, taking place at Lakehead University on Friday, July 4.
June 4, 2014 – Orillia, ON
A new dimension has been added to the popular Mariposa Folk Festival this year, thanks to a creative partnership with Lakehead University. A one-of-a-kind day of interactive workshops led by Festival performers will be offered on Friday, July 4, the opening day of the Festival.
The “Mariposa U” day will feature professional musicians from across the folk music spectrum teaching some of the stylistic tricks, techniques and methods of the folk trade in small class settings.
“Folk Festival fans and aspiring musicians will get to learn first-hand from Mariposa Folk Festival performers,” said Mike Hill, Mariposa Folk Festival artistic director.
The Mariposa Folk Festival is legendary for bringing great musicians from across North America and around the world to Orillia for one magical weekend each summer. Regular attendees know the experience of watching a performer on stage and wondering, “How do they do that?”
“We want to give people a chance to deepen their festival experience. Mariposa U is intended to get that knowledge and skill into the hands of non-professional players,” explained Hill.
A wide range of instruction, from Celtic fiddle to hip-hop, and from swing guitar to harmony singing, is offered, all facilitated by Mariposa performers. Participants will be able to register for up four sessions from a total of 16 different offerings.
A driving force behind the creation of Mariposa U, Lakehead Orillia’s Dean & Vice-Provost Kim Fedderson, is excited about the program’s potential. “Audiences all over the world are seeking ways to break out of being spectators to become creators in their own right. This is an opportunity to really expand the creative experience of the Festival.”
Mariposa U takes place at Lakehead University in downtown Orillia (1 Colborne Street West) from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Friday, July 4. The fee to attend individual 70-minute workshops is $30, while the cost for the full day, including four workshops and lunch, is $100. Lunch is provided for those who register for two or more sessions. Class sizes are limited, so book early.
To see a full list of the class offerings, schedules, performer/facilitator bios and to register go to www.mariposafolk.com and follow the links for Mariposa U @ Lakehead. Information is also available through the Mariposa Folk Festival office at 705-326-3655.
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Media: For more information, contact Kathy Hunt, Communications Officer at kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca or 705-330-4008 ext. 2014.
See full Mariposa U schedule here: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/orillia-campus/community-programs/mariposa-u
In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by a new Strategic Plan (2013-2018), our University is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses, in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years (Fall 2013) and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's West Campus, Lakehead is among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities (2014 Maclean’s University Rankings), as well as 1st in Ontario and 2nd in Canada for its innovative research (Re$earch Infosource). Our Orillia campus is the first in North America to be built entirely to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. Share your Lakehead story as it relates to our Strategic Plan at www.lakeheadu.ca/presidents-office/nurturing-passion, and learn more about Lakehead at www.lakeheadu.ca.
Mariposa Folk Festival is one of Canada's oldest and most beloved music events. Organized by the Mariposa Folk Foundation, whose mission is to promote and preserve folk and roots culture in Canada, and after more than 50 years of presenting, MFF is an internationally recognized hub of creativity and creative expertise.. Mariposa U @ Lakehead is one way that we further this cause. For more information about the Foundation, or to buy tickets for the Festival, go to www.mariposafolk.com