June 10, 2015 - Mariposa, California - On Saturday, June 13th, a variety of local musicians will be performing in the Mariposa Arts Park to celebrate the birthday of local musician ‘Cousin’ Jack Franklin, who dedicated many years of his life to promoting music and the arts to the youth of Mariposa. There will be live music from noon until 9:00 p.m. and other family activities. Free raffle tickets will be available to each attending child aged 12 or younger the child holding that ticket will receive a free musical instrument. A foundation check will be presented to this year’s Cousin Jack Music Foundation scholarship winner at 6:00 p.m.
Admission is free to the public.
Donations to the Cousin Jack Music Scholarship fund are welcomed.
The Cousin Jack Music Foundation was founded in 2003 by the Franklin family as a memorial to "Cousin" Jack Franklin. The mission of the Cousin Jack Music Foundation is to continue the work of Cousin Jack by "promoting passion for music in youth". Since 2004 the Cousin Jack Music Foundation has awarded a music scholarship to a Mariposa High School Senior. This has been made possible by contributions from the Franklin family, as well as generous donations by the community.
Besides the scholarship, other goals of the Cousin Jack Music Foundation include:
- Organize community events and concerts
- Partner with other arts related agencies and groups within Mariposa
- Provide a no-cost musical instrument lending library for school music students
- Collaborate with and provide financial aid to local schools to encourage the inclusion of music instruction on a regular basis to all students
Who is "Cousin Jack?"
Known as a "One Man Happiness Festival", Cousin Jack Franklin was a minstrel, street musician, promoter, "twistinairist" and beloved by the community! Born in Iowa in 1929, Cousin Jack came to San Jose in the late 30's. He played big band trumpet in the late 40's and 50's, owned the famous "Jack's Record Cellar" in San Francisco, he was a long-time member of the "Marsh Flat Ramblers", a folk singing group in the Bay Area, and a regular performer with the Harvest Festival for 15 years. In 1989 he opened Cousin Jacks Music/Dolls by Alinda in Mariposa.
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 1920s 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. Mariposa Evenings is well known as: Cousin Jack’s Mariposa Evenings.
