Season Program | Big Top Chautauqua 2012 | Page 5

Join us for our own unique brand of shows that feature songs and stories performed by Big Top’ s Blue Canvas Orchestra and Singers that bear the hallmark of exquisite musicianship illustrated by big-screen visuals. Big Top founders Warren Nelson and Betty Ferris began the tradition in the northland by creating the first shows about this area – Souvenir Views( 1983) and Riding the Wind( 1985.) Over the past 25 years we have continued to present some of our favorites, and

have added new shows to our repertoire including our interpretive shows of our favorite songs and songwriters – Moon Songs & Moon Shadows( 2009), Laurel Canyon 1970( 2010) and Ladies of the Canyon( 2011,) and have commissioned and adapted other shows that fit our original style – Bruce Burnside’ s Lincoln’ s Living Legacy( 2008) and Frederick Heide’ s The Mountains Call My Name( 2012.)

All Shows: Adults $ 22 / Children 3-17 $ 11. Group rates available.

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Ed Willett Band Director, Cello, Vocals

The Blue Canvas Orchestra is Chautauqua’ s house band that, together with co-founder and Visuals Director Betty Ferris, provides the entertainment engine that powers the Big Top. This group converged on the Northland from around the country, brought together by the desire to make great art in a beautiful environment. In today’ s Chautauqua they continue to be devotees of the“ Big Show,” remaining resolute in their commitment to bringing expansive sound, imagery and experience to their audiences.

Joining the BCO for many of this summer’ s productions will be: Severin Behnen, Sally Kessler, Mary Lou Williams, Mary Bondeson, Corey Carlson, Danielle Nepstad, Alyssa Rhode, and Gerry DePerry.

Betty Ferris Visuals Director, Co-Founder

Tent Show Radio is a weekly variety series showcasing live performances from Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua featuring host Michael Perry, the Blue Canvas Orchestra, and nationally and regionally renowned performers.

Tent Show Radio is heard every week on listener-supported radio stations across the country, and the world on the Internet. Each week features a different live performance from Big Top Chautauqua’ s summer season of concerts and musical productions.

Tent Show Radio is made possible in part by the generous suppport of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.