Thursday, August 2 and
DEBUT Friday August 3, 7:30 pm
Play Ball! Warren Nelson’ s Music Hall Baseball Show Tickets: $ 22 /$ 11 Children 3-17 * With an all-star cast, Warren Nelson swings away with a big new original show singing and storytelling the spirit of baseball from the backyard game to the Big Show, back dropped by film and photos. Directed by Jan Lee, Play Ball! features Hall of Fame musicians Randy Sabien, Andy Dee, Jane Aleckson, Otis McLennon and Severin Behnen, the musical director.“ It’ s my great pleasure to introduce Peter Provost and Daniel Oyinloye to the Big Top stage in this world debut of Play Ball!” August 2 Sponsored by Xcel Energy and Pat & Judy Sebranek August 3 Sponsored by Jim & Joy Perry and Pat & Judy Sebranek
Saturday, August 4, 7:30 pm
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Opening Set by Tift Merritt Tickets: $ 80 /$ 70 /$ 55 Mary Chapin Carpenter, celebrated singer / songwriter rose to acclaim in the 1990s with her country / folk cross-over hits including“ Come On Come On”,“ Passionate Kisses”,“ I Feel Lucky” and“ He Thinks He’ ll Keep Her.” She has won numerous Grammy awards and is the only Female Vocalist to receive the top honors 4 years in a row in the Country Category. Recently, Carpenter was honored with The Americana Association’ s esteemed“ Spirit of Americana Free Speech in Music Award”, which recognizes artists who have used their work to raise awareness and promote free speech. Sponsored by Reed Realty
Sunday, August 5, 7:30 pm
Greg Brown
Opening Set by Peter Mulvey Tickets: $ 38 /$ 28 /$ 22 After nearly 20 albums( including a Live from the Big Top album) and more than three decades of performing, this cofounder of the influential indie roots label Red House Records and former musical director for Garrison Keillor’ s A Prairie Home Companion radio program, Iowa singer-songwriter Greg Brown has amassed a rock-solid legion of fans. Like a jagged stone worked by ocean waves, Brown’ s signature rough hewn-yet-velvet-smooth baritone is in fine form on his latest release Freak Flag. Sponsored by Bayfield Inn and Wisconsin Public Radio
Wednesday, August 8, 7:30 pm
Ladies of the Canyon
Songs of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Mama Cass and More Tickets: $ 22 /$ 11 Children 3-17 * Come and see what we dug up in the history of Laurel Canyon from the women’ s perspective. This show features Cheryl Leah, Mary Lou Williams, Danielle Nepstad and Alissa Rhode plus our all-talented Blue Canvas Orchestra. See Page 6 for full description. Sponsored by Myra Ehnert
Thursday, August 9, 7:30 pm
Blue Canvas Orchestra Live
Tickets: $ 22 /$ 11 Children 3-17 * We all know and love our Big Top house band the Blue Canvas Orchestra – BCO. While touring artists come and go, BCO embodies the unique style and energy of the music of the tent. Musical Director, Ed Willett leads the group- an orchestra made up of mainly bluegrass instrumentation – in a concert of originals written by members of the BCO. The group features Ed on cello, guitar and voice; Bruce Bowers on fiddle; Bruce Burnside on banjo, mandolin and vocals; Andy Dee on guitar and dobro; Tom Mitchell on drums and vocals; Jane Aleckson on bass and vocals; Cheryl Leah on vocals; Jack Gunderson on vocals; and Phillip Anich on vocals. The styles played range from Folk to Rock, Jazz to Blues, and Celtic to World-inspired music. Sponsored by Memorial Medical Center
Friday, August 10, 7:30 pm
JJ Grey & Mofro
Tickets: $ 36 /$ 28 /$ 20 Alligator Records recording artist JJ Grey was nominated this year for the B. B. King International Blues Artist of the Year award. His songwriting is influenced by some of the great musical storytellers: Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Otis Redding, Dr. John, Sly & The Family Stone, Van Morrison … and his performing conjures the sexually charged blues of Howlin’ Wolf, the country soul of George Jones and the hard funk of James Brown, as well as local personalities like street preachers and old time radio DJs. From gritty funk to juke joint romps to contemplative country sound, JJ Grey and Mofro occupy a distinctive space in the music world. Sponsored by Derek and Kim Ogle
Saturday, August 11, 7:30 pm
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Tickets: $ 55 /$ 42 /$ 32 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has gone from a hippie jug band to pioneers of country rock, and their influence is still being felt today. Their quintessential generation-bridging album is“ Will the Circle Be Unbroken” – now in its third edition! Last year the group released a“ Live from Big Top Chautauqua EP.” It’ s always a great party when the Dirt Band plays the Big Top! You’ ll remember some of their hits like“ Mr. Bojangles,”“ Fishing in the Dark,” and“ Dance Little Jean.” Sponsored by Don Funk
Greunke’ s First Street Inn
FINE FOOD
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner, Fish Boil, Pizza, Fine Wine, Whitefish, Livers,
Fine Lodging
Appetizers, Soda Fountain, and Great Desserts
17 Rittenhouse Avenue, Downtown Bayfield • 715-779-5480 • www. greunkesinn. com Try Sgt. Pepperoni’ s Pizza To Go, call 779-0153 for delivery.