By Andy Roberts —
MARIPOSA — Blues and rock are themes of this weekend’s free outdoor community concerts in downtown Mariposa at the Art Park.
Soul Galaxy on Friday night.
Friday, July 26 marks the return of Soul Galaxy to Music on the Green. Soul Galaxy is a blues rock outfit based out of Mariposa featuring Northern California guitar phenom Tim Hagar and Los Angeles session percussionist Jon Kidd.
This powerhouse group will be performing blues/rock based originals, along with guitar-centric, deep cut covers. Soul Galaxy is one of the most active Mariposa bands. With these seasoned pros, don’t be surprised to see a special guest or two sitting in during their evening’s performance. Read and hear more of this dynamic combo at: www.soulgalaxy.net.
On Saturday, July 27 world class Blues recording artists, Mike Hammar and The Nails return to the Art Park Stage for Music on the Green. Native American Hammar — who grew up in Mariposa and still maintains deep roots here — and his powerful electric blues band, The Nails, have become a staple of Mariposa Evenings, where every year they draw a huge crowd of locals and visitors for what we’ve come to call a “Blues Pow-Wow.”
Mike Hammer and The Nails on Saturday night.
Garnishing a reputation over the years as one of the most exciting live blues bands performing in California – in 2009 and 2014, Mike and the band won the prestigious Monterey Bay Blues Festival’s Battle of the Bands – their recordings have had airplay on American Roots Music Radio (Norway, England, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and U.S. College radio circuit) and they are regularly featured on Sirius XM Radio’s B.B. King’s Bluesville station.
Mike’s song, “This Ain’t Goodbye,” from their second album, “Recipe for the Blues,” was nominated for an Independant Music Award. The Nails still feature the glorious sound of the Hammond B3 organ played by renowned musician Allan “B3 Blues” Carroll, and the fiery guitar and soulful vocals of Hammar. More on this great blues band can be found at: www.mikehammar.com, or their Facebook page.
A complete schedule of the talent performing throughout this summer season can be found at www.mariposaartscouncil.org.
The shows are free to the public thanks to the generous support of our sponsors: Sierra Tel Internet, Yosemite Mariposa Tourism Bureau, Charles Street Dinner House, Dewey Family Trust, Carol Johnson, Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Club, Mia Gloor – Mariposa’s House Hunter, Blue Oaks Farm, Kevin Cann, Evox OmniMedia, Xav Debois & Sean Aiken, Mariposa Chamber of Commerce, Ranch Fence, Yosemite Pilates, Mountain Yoga Studio, Meadow Creek Ranch B&B, Dr. Chris Hutcheson – Chiropractor, Fremont House, Ladybug Embroidery and Garment Printing, Starchman & Bryant Attorneys at Law, Mariposa Shipping, American Financial Network – Jeff Bubenchik, Restful Nest B&B, Mariposa Lodge of Odd Fellows #39, and Saralynn Nusbaum & Don Melcher.
Tips for the performers will be solicited, encouraged and appreciated.
The Mariposa County Arts Council, Inc. is an incorporated not-for-profit organization, created to promote and support all forms of the cultural arts, for all ages, throughout Mariposa County.