Get pumped up for Monarchs, magic and music May 2-3

With the Mariposa Butterfly Festival quickly approaching on May 2-3, this year’s event is sure to be one to remember.

A talented musician herself, Gail Dreifus has assembled a musical lineup bursting with local talent.

“We are such a musically talented community,” Dreifus said.

“The majority of our performers have a local connection.”

Saturday on the Front Lawn

The Yard Dogs will be live on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 11 a.m. on the Front Lawn Stage during the highly anticipated car show.

This group is sure to get the crowd moving with a high-energy set of classic rock, oldies, country and everything in between.

Through the years, their sound has spread across the Central Valley, lighting up bars, parties and special events.

In 2007, the band traded bar gigs for exclusively good vibes at community events — and organizers are thrilled to welcome them to this year’s Butterfly Festival.

Sunday on The Amigo Stage

Bring your dancing shoes because UPS Sue and the Line Dancing crew are bringing some boot-scootin’ fun from noon-12:50 p.m. on The Amigo Stage.

The one and only UPS Sue delivers more than just packages, she delivers smiles, rhythm and some serious moves.

Whether you’re a seasoned stepper or just want to learn some basics, Sue will have you dancing in no time.

Join Dreifus and The Mariposa Ukulele Ensemble at the Amigo Stage from 1:20-2:10 p.m.

What started in 2017 as Dreifus’s dream to learn the ukulele, this ensemble has evolved into one of Mariposa’s most beloved music groups.

This group grew has grown to about 20 members that meet weekly, even on Zoom.

Not even a pandemic could stop their music. They have been performing at local events and are a crowd pleaser wherever they go.

Inky’s Basement Band hasn’t played together in awhile but they’re making a resurgence and will take to the Amigo Stage from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

This group brings a lively, feel-good sound that’s equal parts soulful, playful and irresistibly fun.

With a blend of blues, rock and groove-driven rhythms, this band knows how to get a crowd moving and keep the energy high from the first note to the last.

Whether you’re dancing, clapping along or just soaking in the music, Inky’s Basement Band delivers a performance that feels like a celebration.

Wrapping up the afternoon on The Amigo Stage from 4:15-6 p.m. is award winning Country band Southern Comfort.

With over 70 shows in 2025 alone, including an appearance at the 19th Annual Bakersfield Country Music Awards — where each member was honored with a Lifetime Award of Recognition — this seasoned group delivers music with authenticity and heart.

From honky-tonk favorites to heartfelt ballads, Southern Comfort creates a nostalgic, feel-good experience that invites audiences to sing along, dance and relive the roots of classic country.

Saturday at the Monarch Music Bar and Lounge

Grab a drink and enjoy tunes from Dan Gross and Cheyenne Hernandez from noon to 12:45 p.m. in the Monarch Music Bar and Lounge.

Hernandez is currently recording an album in Colombia, South America, with her music teacher of two years, Juan Heredia.

She currently plays solo, is in several bands in Mariposa, Merced and Oakhurst and is working on local recording projects.

Gross was drawn into folk and Bluegrass as a young adult. He learned the banjo and explored the American landscape of folk music.

Gross has performed in Bay Area musical theatres, singing, dancing and playing various instruments, including bass, octave mandolin and baritone banjo.

Hernandez and Gross feel grateful and honored to live in Mariposa and be a part of the rich arts and music community that thrives there.

The talented Terry Barnes Duo will take the stage from 1-2 p.m.

With Terry Barnes on guitar and vocals and Steve Barnes on percussion — this group brings heartfelt originals and fresh interpretations of favorite songs from the ‘60s, ‘70s and beyond.

Their soulful sound and easygoing vibe make every set feel like a personal concert under the sun.

Mariposa has become a second home for these musicians, with performances at The Hideout, Western Days, AutoCamp and The Grove House.

Now they’re back for another unforgettable show at the Butterfly Festival.

Dreifus will be performing with Meltwater Bridge Acoustic will follow from 2:15-3:15 p.m.

This group delivers a smooth, soulful sound that blends acoustic melodies with rich harmonies and an easygoing, heartfelt vibe.

Their music flows effortlessly — like the name suggests — creating a relaxed yet engaging atmosphere that invites listeners to settle in and stay awhile.

New to the festival this year is the open mic opportunity for locals and visitors to get up and share their talent.

With Dreifus as emcee, open mic with take place from 3:30-4:15 p.m. at the Monarch Music Bar and Lounge.

“People don’t need to sign-up or register for open mic,” Dreifus explained.

“It’s open to anyone who wants to participate.”

Open mic is not limited to just music related performances.

“It can also be poetry or other things,” Dreifus said, as she was reminded of the popular and well received open mic nights at The Grove House.

“We usually have to cap it at about 16 people; I wish we had more time,” Dreifus continued.

“When people get on stage I’m always surprised at just how much talent we have here in Mariposa.”

Concluding the afternoon in the Monarch Music Bar and Lounge are the Indie Folk band, The Jespersons, from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Featuring Jared Jesperson, with his rock and jam band roots from Southern California and Kaye Jesperson, whose folk, country and gospel influences come from her homeland of New Zealand and Australia, this couple met in the mountains in 2010 and have been blending their voices and hearts ever since.

Their sound is grounded in tight, rich vocal harmonies and expressive instrumentation on cello, mandolin and guitar — creating music that is evocative, uplifting and deeply human.

Sunday on the Front Lawn

On Sunday, May 3, the Mariposa Butterfly Festival joins more than 190 countries around the world in celebrating International Jazz Day — a global movement honoring the power of jazz to unite cultures, inspire creativity and uplift communities.

From noon to 2 p.m. on the Front Lawn, the Ernie Bucio Little Big Band will bring West Coast Jazz to the Sierra, swinging through the rich history of American jazz with energy, brass and soul.

This special performance weaves world-class music into the heart of the festival, making Mariposa a home for this worldwide jazz celebration.

The Ernie Bucio Little Big Band has been playing Big Band music from the 30s and 40s to rock and roll of the 50s, 60s and 70s.

The band has backed legends such as Clark Terry, Ed Thigpen, Bill Watrous, Arturo Sandoval, James Moody and even The Temptations.

Bucio was the recipient of the Modesto Area Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award and also the Excellence in Music Award from the Stanislaus Arts Council.

Bucio passed away in 2011 but the members of Ernie Bucio’s Little Big Band have continued on with his tradition of presenting authentic, high quality music.

Sunday on The Amigo Stage

UPS Sue returns to the stage, this time teaching line dance lessons from 11-11:50 p.m.

A local favorite, Scott Patrick will take the mic from 12:10-1:10 p.m.

Patrick’s music sits at the crossroads of indie folk intimacy and alt-country grit. Known for his tireless work ethic, he performs 150– 200 nights a year across the western United States, turning every stage, from small-town dive bars to festival crowds of thousands, into a space for connection and storytelling.

Before going solo, Patrick spent six years in the Americana duo Cottonwood Creek, sharing stages with national acts including Alabama, Jake Owen, Joe Nichols, Morgan Wallen and Lauren Alaina.

That era laid the foundation for the artistry which Patrick now brings forward as a solo performer.

Iyah Wise & The Intelligence will follow from 1:30-2:30 p.m. This powerful roots rock reggae collective features Iyah Wise, Michael Wise, Jacob Kipp, Harley Minford and Jeremy Clark.

Formed by Michael Wise, The Intelligence began backing Iyah in February 2025 — and in that short time, they’ve already completed two national tours and appeared at multiple festivals across the country.

Their mission is clear and heartfelt — to spread consciousness, creativity, discipline and unification through music that moves both the body and the spirit.

The Soul Galaxy will wrap up the afternoon on The Amigo Stage from 3-4 p.m.

Hailing from right here in Mariposa, The Soul Galaxy has spent over a decade captivating audiences across the Yosemite and Western Sierra Slope region.

Their music blends soulful standards, deep cuts and originals, all wrapped in exquisite improvisation that transforms every set into a one-of-a-kind musical journey.

No two shows are ever the same — and this is sure to be unforgettable.

Sunday at the Monarch Music Bar and Lounge

Open mic performances continue from 11-11:45 a.m. where everyone is welcome to get up and share their talents on stage.

Tribal meets trance from noon to 1 p.m. with T-Ranch and the Kidd.

Featuring award-winning banjo player and prolific songwriter Tarantulabanjo (Andy Roberts) and former LA session drummer and vocalist Jon Kidd, this duo pulls from old-time, rock, folk and world music traditions to create a sound that’s both primal and poetic.

Their performances are deep, dynamic and unexpected — a true fusion of tradition and innovation that gets into your bones and moves your soul.

Mariposa local Mike Wichmann will follow from 1:15-2:15 p.m.

For over 30 years, Wichmann has been a cornerstone of the Mariposa/Yosemite music scene — strumming his acoustic guitar and ukulele, singing stories that span decades and genres and bringing people together through music.

His performances are woven with memories, melodies and meaning — songs known and loved, shared with heart and gratitude. From folk to classic rock to originals, Wichmann brings upbeat springtime vibes and a deep appreciation for the vibrant musical spirit of the Mariposa community.

Concluding the afternoon will be Matthew McCormack from 2:25 – 4 p.m.

McCormack is an Americana solo artist whose music blends heartfelt storytelling with rich acoustic soundscapes. Rooted in tradition yet deeply personal, his songs carry echoes of folk, country and soul — creating a sound that feels both timeless and refreshingly authentic.