Sunday, August 12, 7:30 pm
Big Top Idol
Tickets $ 10 Join us for the 3rd annual Big Top Idol where local singers compete for this coveted title. Last year 14 finalists performed for a near-capacity crowd where Eva Doucette of Washburn earned the title of Jr. Idol and John Dormady of Ashland won the top honors as the 2011 Big Top Idol. The contestants hailed from all over the Chequamegon Bay area. Auditions take place in June. Vocalists 14 and up compete for Big Top Idol while those 13 and under will compete for the title of Jr. Idol. A panel of celebrity judges, combined with votes from the audience, chooses the final winners. Big Top Idol has proven to be one of our most popular and entertaining nights of the summer. Get your tickets early and don’ t get left outside the tent! Sponsored by Bremer Bank
Wednesday, August 15, TBA
Bucky Halker speaks about
Woody Guthrie
Free Lecture. See page 13 for full description
Wednesday, August 15, 7:30 pm
“ 100 Years of Woody Guthrie” with Arlo Guthrie and The Guthrie Family Tickets: $ 80 /$ 70 /$ 55 This summer legendary American singersongwriter and activist Woody Guthrie would have celebrated his 100th birthday. Join us for a joyous celebration of this monumental occasion with Woody’ s son Arlo Guthrie, Arlo’ s son Abe Guthrie, and other descendants of this icon of American musical and political history. In his lifetime Woody Guthrie wrote nearly 3,000 song lyrics, published two novels, created artworks, authored numerous published and unpublished manuscripts, poems, prose, and plays and hundreds of letters and news article which are housed in the Woody Guthrie Archives in New York. Sponsored by Flamingos Up North: Maggie’ s Restaurant, The Egg Toss Café & Wild Rice
Thursday, August 16, 7:30 pm
Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile Opening Set by Aoife O’ Donovon Tickets:$ 36 /$ 28 /$ 20 Punch Brothers was formed in 2006 by mandolinist / singer Chris Thile with four other virtuosic musicians: fiddler Gabe Witcher, banjo player Noam Pikelny, bassist Paul Kowert, and guitarist Chris Eldridge. Their first Nonesuch record, Punch, was released in 2008 and combined elements of the band’ s many musical interests including indie rock, folk, jazz, bluegrass, and classical music. Their latest release, Who’ s Feeling Young Now, was released earlier this year. Punch Brothers are featured twice on the new T Bone Burnett produced Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond album. Sponsored by Motion To Go
Friday, August 17, 7:30 pm
11
Warren Nelson & Friends
Tickets: $ 26 /$ 22 /$ 18 Warren Nelson is the Father of Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua and the writer or co-writer of some of our most beloved original productions and compositions. He stood as ringmaster of the canvas tent show for nearly 25 years. Warren returns to the Big Top stage for a grand night of music and memories by the self-proclaimed“ Song and Chance Man.” His original songs still resonate from the tent at the hands of the BCO including“ Autumn Fancy,”“ Riding the Wind,”“ Keeper of the Light,”“ Over to Old LaPointe,” &“ Ballyhoo.” Warren has released a memoir entitled“ Ballyhoo! Back Stage Big Top” and is launching his latest big musical this summer based on his love of baseball called“ Play Ball!” Sponsored by Pat & Judy Sebranek
Sat. Aug. 18, 3:00 pm
Betty Ferris
2009 Minerva Laureate and BTC Visuals Director speaks on the great environmentalist, John Muir. See page 13 for full description.
Saturday, August 18, 7:30 pm
The Mountains Call My Name
A Musical Portrait of Environmentalist John Muir Featuring Tom Mitchell and the Blue Canvas Orchestra $ 22 Adult /$ 11 Children age 3-17 * Join the Blue Canvas Orchestra for their musical portrayal of John Muir, founder of the national park system and the Sierra Club. See Page 7 for complete description. Sponsored by Restaurants of Madeline Island
Sunday, August 19, 7:30 pm
The Steeles
Tickets: $ 36 /$ 28 /$ 20; Kids Half Price! $ 18 /$ 14 /$ 10 The Big Top will be rocking tonight with the Soul and Gospel sounds of the Steele Family. The Steeles are a group of brothers and sisters: J. D., Fred, Jearlyn, Jevetta, and Billy Steele. They have been singing together since they were young children growing up in Gary, IN. They began to develop their style and soul in Minneapolis, MN. The award-winning Steeles have recorded and performed with Prince, Donald Fagen, Morgan Freeman, George Clinton, Kim Carnes, Blind Boys, James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson and many others throughout their long and storied career. Some of you will know Jearlyn and Jevetta from Garrison Keillors“ A Prairie Home Companion”, and many of you will remember J. D. Steele from last year’ s Big Top Gospel Night with Larry Long.
Wednesday, August 22, 7:30 pm
Riding the Wind
$ 22 Adult /$ 11 Children age 3-17 * Riding the Wind is a musical and big-screen visual portrait of Bayfield with secrets of Red Cliff and Old LaPointe. See Page 7 for complete description. Sponsored by Living Adventure, Inc.
Breakfast Favorites since 1996
Lunch & Dinner Celebrating 30 years!
Exquisite Dining on Lake Superior