IT WAS ALMOST BIG LAKE CHAUTAUQUA
In 1986 when Lake Superior Big
Top Chautauqua’ s first board of directors drew up the papers to incorporate the fledgling non-profit, it was to be“ Big Lake Chautauqua.” But at the last minute they ripped up the papers and changed everything.
It’ s been 27 years since a seemingly-crazy dream to tell the Northwoods’ important and true stories of heart and place through song, theater and images under a blue canvas tent came true. That dream started with the creative team of Betty Ferris and Warren Nelson, whose Nelson-Ferris Concert Company had been commissioned in the
early 80s to write the historical musicals Souvenir Views, an ode to Washburn, WI and Riding the Wind, telling the story of Bayfield, Red Cliff and Madeline Island on the Bayfield peninsula. Both musicals utilized the talents of the Lost Nation String Band, comprised of Nelson, the late Don Pavel, Bruce Burnside, Jack Gunderson and Bruce Bowers, augmented by local performers such as Sally Kessler, Phil Anich, Tom Mitchell, Marcie Gephart, Madeline Hart and others.
But dreams don’ t become reality without hard work. And money. The founders of the Big Top were blessed when Mary Hulings Rice of Bayfield and her parents, Bill and
Betty Hulings, saw Riding the Wind during its run in the Bayfield High School gymnasium and wanted to make sure there was a permanent – and professional – home to showcase such works in northern Wisconsin. But instead of building a permanent building, Warren Nelson asked the Hulings family to fund the purchase of the first canvas tent. The first show on the Mt. Ashwabay hill was July 11, 1986. That season, Big Top hosted 42 shows and attracted 5,200 people. In contrast, today Big Top has an annual budget of $ 1.4 million, and welcomes nearly 30,000 people each summer. As a non-profit organization, they also have the assistance of teams of volunteers, donors and sponsors that make it all possible.
The tradition of original musicals has continued at Big Top, first with the Nelson-Ferris Concert Company and later by cast members and outside writers and composers. In 2009 the house band, the Blue Canvas Orchestra, started putting together retrospectives of some of their favorite performers such as Cat Stevens, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell,
WHY CANVAS?
Big Top Chautauqua boasts the only all-canvas performing arts venue in the country. The cloth fiber material has fallen to its technologically superior vinyl in most places because vinyl does not deteriorate as easily in the elements. But Big Top Chautauqua continues in the canvas tradition for one big reason – the sound is exponentially superior to the sound in a vinyl tent.“ Hearing a show in the Big Top is akin to being in one of the best halls constructed for acoustic perfection. The canvas absorbs and helps diffuse the sound instead of bouncing it back at the audience creating noise” says Tom Fabjance, sound engineer for the Big Top. At least for now the Big Top will continue on in the canvas tradition it has followed for the past 27 summers. Check it out – you will hear the difference!
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FREE Family Series
Join us under the Big Top for our free performances that are fun for people of all ages. No reservations are necessary – just be there! The cost of bringing these performances to you is underwritten by our generous sponsors and grantors. Salute to these wonderful community members!
Generously Sponsored by
Essentia Health – Ashland Clinic, Chippewa Valley Bank, Von Holzen Chevrolet, LBS Insurance, Chequamegon Theatre Association, Karen Traut, The Inn on Madeline Island, Good Thyme Restaurant, Ashland Memorial Medical Center, Evergreen County Shopper / Printing Plus, and Advanced Printing Hayward.
Grant support provided by Human Rights Fund and Grutzner Madeline Island Fund
Jacob Roeber Magician Sat., June 22, 1:00
Jacob has been amazing audiences for many years all over Minnesota and Wisconsin. His skill is bound to amaze and entertain all.
Funkadesi One World Community Celebration Sunday, August 4
3:00 Cultural Immersion Experience 4:00 Community Picnic( You bring your picnic, we’ ll bring dessert.) 5:00 Multi-Cultural Dance Workshop 7:30 Funkadesi Concert & Dance Party Funkadesi’ s one-world sound, roots-watering vision, and positive vibe make the band a unique and compelling musical force. Sponsored by Essentia Health, Ashland Clinic
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The Okee Dokee Brothers Sunday, July 28, 1:00
Joe and Justin record and perform family music with a goal to inspire children and their parents to get outside and experience nature. They believe this can motivate kids to gain a greater respect for the natural world, their communities and themselves.
Noah Hoehn Saturday, August 24, 1:00
Saucy harmonica and cool marimba are layered upon a foundation of acoustic grooves. Through the electronic world of live looping, Noah creates a oneman-orchestra.