BIG TOP ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS
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 . The Blue Canvas Orchestra ( BCO ) is Chautauqua ’ s house band that , together with Co-Founder and Visuals Director Betty Ferris and a multitude of talented guest artists , provides the entertainment engine that powers the Big Top .
This year we debut the sequel to the hit show “ Big Top Opry ” which celebrates the classic Country and Western songs by the likes of Hank Williams and Patsy Cline . Our new “ Big Top Opry 2 : The Outlaw Years ” features the great Opry outlaws from the 60s , 70s and 80s like Waylon & Willie , and the ladies : Dolly , Loretta and Tammy . Big Top Founder Warren Nelson brings a retrospective celebration of 30 Years of big original shows in “ So Many Shows , So Many Songs .” Warren also brings back the classic Nelson Ferris Concert Co . show “ Keeper of the Light ,” a song-story accounting of the lives of the lighthouse keepers of the Apostle Islands .
This year we feature collaborations with two monumental Duluth institutions : Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra in our 30th Anniversary Celebration “ Blue Canvas Orchestrated ” and The Duluth Playhouse in the new documusical “ Steerage Song ,” the stories of immigrants from Western Europe via
Ellis Island in the late 1800s and early 1900s through song and story . And producer Larry Long brings his “ For Pete ’ s Sake : A Tribute to Pete Seeger ” to the tent with an all-star cast including our own BCO .
We reprise our Celtic / bluegrass musical from 2015 “ Belfast to Bluegrass ” which traces the transformation of Celtic music brought to America from the North of Ireland as it becomes the roots of American Bluegrass . Other historical musicals this year include our stalwart show “ Riding the Wind ,” the illustrated history of Bayfield , and a reprise of “ Big Top Opry .” Then there are our variety nights , “ New First Night ” and “ Old Last Night .” This is when the band gets to cut loose and play their favorite songs from their 30 summers on the Big Top stage .
You haven ’ t fully experienced the Big Top until you ’ ve seen the Original Shows and our amazing Blue Canvas Orchestra !
BIG TOP ON TOUR
The Blue Canvas Orchestra , performs on tour throughout the region . Join us at the tent , or in a community near you !
JUN 19 , 2016 " Flashback Favorites " Dillman ' s Bay Resort • Lac Du Flambeau , WI 715-588-3143 | www . dillmansbco . org
OCT 7-9 , 2016 " Blue Canvas Orchestra In Concert " Bayfield Apple Festival • Bayfield , WI 715-779-3335 | www . bayfield . org
DEC 9 , 2016 " Blue Canvas Holiday Special " Sacred Heart Music Center • Duluth , WI 218-723-1895 | www . sacredheartmusic . org
DEC 10 , 2016 " Blue Canvas Holiday Special " Legendary Waters Resort & Casino • Red Cliff , WI 800-226-8478 | www . legendarywaters . com
JAN 14 , 2017 " Tent Show Radio Live " The Grand Oshkosh Historic Opera House • Oshkosh , WI 920-4244-2355 | www . grandoperahouse . org
FEB 9 , 2017 " Big Top Opry " Campanile Center for the Arts • Minocquca , WI 715-356-9700 | www . campanilecenter . org
MAR 31 , 2017 " Big Top Opry " CAL Center • Reedsburg , WI 608-524-3532 | www . calcenter . org
More shows continually added . Watch www . bigtop . org
MORTY
' S PUB ESTABLISHED 1935
FOOD Fresh Lake Superior Whitefish Burgers & Sandwiches • Appetizers
DRINKS Full Bar • Craft Beer
FUN Pool • Pinball
OPEN DAILY at 11:30 AM 108 RITTENHOUSE AVENUE , BAYFIELD www . mortyspub . com • ( 715 ) 779-3996
6 WWW . BIGTOP . ORG ( 715 ) 373-5552