As the sun set on a record-setting Mariposa Folk Festival, after one of the most magical weekends of their young careers, members of The Free Label were chatting and reminiscing and packing up their instruments and equipment in the dark late Sunday night at Tudhope Park.
Somehow, unbeknownst to them until the following morning, amid the confusion, the white Fender guitar that holds special meaning to band member Malik Mungo, was left behind in the parking lot.
“The poor kids – they’re in the middle of recording and they have a bunch of shows on the go,” said Mariposa Folk Festival president Pam Carter. “I just feel awful for them.”
The funk, Motown and R&B group earned a spot to perform at the renowned three-day festival by wowing the judges at the Mariposa Folk Fest Showcase auditions for up-and-coming bands last April. They repeated that feat at the festival.
“They wowed the Pub Tent crowd and from all that I have seen and heard, we will be hearing and reading a lot more about these guys,” said Carter.
Folk Festival officials put out a public plea for the safe return of Mungo’s guitar on social media. So far, no one has come forward with the musician’s “beloved guitar.”
“To be honest, we thought someone would return it,” said Carter. “Mariposa is like that.”
Because that hasn’t happened, Carter said the festival’s board of directors has decided to make a $1,000 donation to the group. She said the guitar is worth about that amount.
“We can’t replace the guitar, which I understand has special meaning to Malik, because it was given to him by a relative,” she said. “But our goal is to support young musicians and … this is a way we can do that.”
The Free Label, who will be performing tonight at the Orillia Museum of Art and History, will receive their $1,000 donation prior to the show.
“We’d still love to see someone return the guitar,” said Carter. “They can just bring it back to our office or call (705-326-3655) no questions asked.”
