Continued from Page 4 and this year Bob Dylan . They have become wildly popular with the fans .
In addition to the original , educational productions , Big Top Chautauqua also welcomes touring performers to the stage . The first was Taj Mahal in 1990 . Since then hundreds of performers have wowed audiences under the Big Top canvas – Willie Nelson , Johnny Cash , John Prine , Joan Baez , Garrison Keillor , The Smothers Brothers , The Avett Brothers and more .
In 1994 , the magic of the tent hit the airwaves with the debut of Tent Show Radio , which now has over 50 stations throughout the nation carrying the show , with author , storyteller and musician Michael Perry as host . Big Top Executive Director Terry Meyer Matier , who has been part of the Big Top management team since 2001 , says the mission of Big Top remains constant : to provide cultural activities that are both entertaining and educational with an emphasis on performances that celebrate history and the environment . She says that the educational component of Big Top is a priority . In addition , she is proud of opportunities that the organization gives to young musicians including ‘ Big Top Idol ,’ that gives local singers a chance to perform and receive professional coaching . In fact , one Big Top Idol winner , Danielle Nepstad , auditioned for , and landed a role in the Big Top revue “ Ladies of the Canyon ” and last year ’ s winner , Kevin Soulier , will perform in Bruce Burnside ’ s new original show “ Stories for the Water ” this summer . Meyer Matier says “ Big Top is ever evolving . We are very proud of the quality of performances we present . We ’ re also proud of the uniqueness of our venue , and the exceptional experience our patrons have at our shows . In some ways we ’ re a throw-back in time , but at the same time we ’ re giving a state-of-the-art concert experience .” She agrees with Warren Nelson who always said “ Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua is the greatest venue in the history of the universe .”
TRIP PLANNING INFO ONLINE AT WWW . BIGTOP . ORG
Plan Your trip
Ashland Area Chamber ....................................... 800-284-9484 Bayfield Area Chamber & Visitor Bureau ............ 800-447-4094 Bayfield County Tourism & Recreation ................ 800-472-6338 Cable Area Chamber ........................................... 800-533-7454 Cornucopia Business Association ........................ 715-742-3323 Hayward Area Chamber ...................................... 715-634-8662 Herbster Community Club ................................... 715-774-3411 Iron River Area Chamber ..................................... 715-372-8558 Madeline Island Chamber ................................... 888-475-3386 Phillips Chamber of Commerce ........................... 888-408-4800 Washburn Chamber ............................................ 800-253-4495
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