Music on the Green

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.



2024 Line Up

May 31Scott Patrick 
June 1Chris Murphy 
June 7Green Machine
June 8Terry Barnes Trio
June 14Yosemite Jazz Band 
June 15Ted Nunez + Richfield 
June 21The Jespersons 
June 22The T-Hawks 
June 28Home Tonight 
June 29Little Tiger
July 5Sugar Pine 
July 6Soul Galaxy 
July 12Dogweed Stringband 
July 13Mike Hammar & the Nails
July 19Nicholas Lefler 
July 20Songwriters in the Round
July 26James Lee Cult Revival 
July 27Andrew Webber Blues Band
Aug 2John Henry’s Farm 
Aug 3Minor Birds
Aug 9Mariposa Ukulele Ensemble 
Aug 10Snake Rock
Aug 16Skull Country 
Aug 17Crooked Drone 
Aug 23Ghost of Ferns and The Hank & T-ranch Duo 
Aug 24Roger Perry

Music on the Green Student Artists: Gray Rule

Gray is a sophomore at Mariposa County High School. Inspired by the sounds of heavy metal and death folk, they create masterful digital artwork and drawings that examine the beauty of death and decay in the natural world. Explore more of Gray’s work on Instagram at @grayworms

To create this art piece, I drew inspiration from the drive back home through Catheys Valley; I wanted to feature a turkey vulture – beautiful, often overlooked, birds who are important to our ecosystems and life.”

About the Program

2023: Liam Willis

2022: Celianna Lee

2021: Autumn Stock



Special Thanks to Our 2024 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 WittkopfAnita and Tim Bryant
Saralynn Nusbaum
and Don Melcher
Kevin Cann and Beth Waldow
Pamela FlickDave and Terry Rozelle
Restful Nest Bed & BreakfastMeadow Creek Ranch Bed & Breakfast
The Local GrapeYosemite Songwriting Retreat
The Starchman FamilyThe Collins Family
Sue OverstreetPatricia Elka
Ladybug EmbroideryMariposa Shipping

Program Origin & Cousin Jack

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Known as a “One Man Happiness Festival”, Cousin Jack Franklin was a minstrel, street musician, promoter, “tuistinairist” and beloved by the community. Music on the Green was originally called “Cousin Jack’s Music on the Green” in honor of Cousin Jack’s efforts establishing the Mariposa Art Park and his dedication to Mariposa’s creative music community . . .

Dancing to the music. Photo by Jeanine Andre
Photo by Jeannine Andre

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.

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.”