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Guthrie wrote nearly 3,000 song lyrics , published two novels , created artworks , authored numerous published and unpublished manuscripts , poems , prose , and plays and hundreds of letters and news article which are housed in the Woody Guthrie Archives in New York .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