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 .