Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - MARIPOSA 2007-wet and wild with Lightfoot-July 8/07

charlene · 07-10-2007, 01:30 PM

another article:
http://www.orilliapacket.com/webapp/...0News&classif=

Mariposa back in black: organizer

Colin McKim
Local News - Tuesday, July 10, 2007 @ 07:00

Don't call it the Mariposa Broke Festival.

Not anymore.

When the grand daddy of Canadian folk music festivals hobbled back to Orillia in 2000 after 37 years on the road, it was in rough shape, bony, ragged and busted flat.

In its waning years in Toronto, attendance numbers had dwindled and attempts to revive the musical event at alternative venues, such as Bracebridge, faltered.

The debt piled up and spirits slumped.

But coming back to Orillia, trumpeted as a return to the festival's roots and bolstered by headline appearances from Orillia's favourite son Gordon Lightfoot, has proved to be just the ticket back to harmony and health.

This year's festival, again capped by a heroic performance by Lightfoot in the "face of a hurricane west wind," hit another high note.

"This will be our most successful," said artistic director Mike Hill.

"It was fantastic. We're in the black for sure."

An estimated 20,000 people poured into Tudhope Park during the three-day event soaking up sun and rain and drinking three beer tents dry.

Seeing supplies of Canadian, Rickard's Red and Coors Light running dangerously low Sunday afternoon, volunteers made an emergency trip for 100 more cases, said Vicky McNaney, chair of the Festival Organizing Group.

But the suds still ran dry by nightfall and parched beer drinkers had to grab for coolers.

"I think the Good Brothers were one of the reasons we ran out of beer," said Hill,

"They were really rocking the beer tent on Friday and Saturday night."

Having a little money in the bank gives you a feeling of security, said Hill.

And it may help the festival go after acts that have been too expensive in the past.

"People ask why we don't have Neil Young or Leonard Cohen, but we just can't afford them."

On a $130,000 artistic budget, the sky is definitely not the limit. Groups like the Barenaked Ladies charge $200,000 for an appearance, while Jann Arden at $60,000 would consume almost half the budget.

But many artists who appear early in their careers at Mariposa, such as Feist and Sarah Harmer, break into the big time later, said Hill. As well as beer, the festival ran out of craft supplies for making kites, propellors and garlands, said McNaney.

A number of performers sold out all their CDs, including blues guitarist player Matt Andersen, said McNaney.

The festival now feels comfortably re-established in Orillia, said McNaney.

"It's home to stay, without a doubt. People have embraced it."

And having Lightfoot appear every few years, rain or shine, caps things off perfectly, she said.

"Gord's like the cherry on top."

cmckim@orilliapacket.com
-------------------------------------------------

I swear I had ONLY two Coors Lite!!

[ July 10, 2007, 13:35: Message edited by: charlene ]

07-10-2007, 01:30 PM	#17
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	another article: http://www.orilliapacket.com/webapp/...0News&classif= Mariposa back in black: organizer Colin McKim Local News - Tuesday, July 10, 2007 @ 07:00 Don't call it the Mariposa Broke Festival. Not anymore. When the grand daddy of Canadian folk music festivals hobbled back to Orillia in 2000 after 37 years on the road, it was in rough shape, bony, ragged and busted flat. In its waning years in Toronto, attendance numbers had dwindled and attempts to revive the musical event at alternative venues, such as Bracebridge, faltered. The debt piled up and spirits slumped. But coming back to Orillia, trumpeted as a return to the festival's roots and bolstered by headline appearances from Orillia's favourite son Gordon Lightfoot, has proved to be just the ticket back to harmony and health. This year's festival, again capped by a heroic performance by Lightfoot in the "face of a hurricane west wind," hit another high note. "This will be our most successful," said artistic director Mike Hill. "It was fantastic. We're in the black for sure." An estimated 20,000 people poured into Tudhope Park during the three-day event soaking up sun and rain and drinking three beer tents dry. Seeing supplies of Canadian, Rickard's Red and Coors Light running dangerously low Sunday afternoon, volunteers made an emergency trip for 100 more cases, said Vicky McNaney, chair of the Festival Organizing Group. But the suds still ran dry by nightfall and parched beer drinkers had to grab for coolers. "I think the Good Brothers were one of the reasons we ran out of beer," said Hill, "They were really rocking the beer tent on Friday and Saturday night." Having a little money in the bank gives you a feeling of security, said Hill. And it may help the festival go after acts that have been too expensive in the past. "People ask why we don't have Neil Young or Leonard Cohen, but we just can't afford them." On a $130,000 artistic budget, the sky is definitely not the limit. Groups like the Barenaked Ladies charge $200,000 for an appearance, while Jann Arden at $60,000 would consume almost half the budget. But many artists who appear early in their careers at Mariposa, such as Feist and Sarah Harmer, break into the big time later, said Hill. As well as beer, the festival ran out of craft supplies for making kites, propellors and garlands, said McNaney. A number of performers sold out all their CDs, including blues guitarist player Matt Andersen, said McNaney. The festival now feels comfortably re-established in Orillia, said McNaney. "It's home to stay, without a doubt. People have embraced it." And having Lightfoot appear every few years, rain or shine, caps things off perfectly, she said. "Gord's like the cherry on top." cmckim@orilliapacket.com ------------------------------------------------- I swear I had ONLY two Coors Lite!! [ July 10, 2007, 13:35: Message edited by: charlene ]