Upcoming Dates
Schedule subject to change.
Dates are continually added.
Watch this page for the latest information on tour dates.
Please contact the individual venues to purchase tickets.

Oct. 1-3
Bayfield, WI
Applefest

Oct. 9, 2010
Edgerton, WI
Song of the Seasons

Nov. 5
Amery, WI
Wild Woods & Waters

BOOKING
Bring Big Top to Your Community
For information about bringing a Big Top Chautauqua show to your community,
call Tom Fabjance
at 715-373-5552 or email.

Often we will perform student shows during the day and public concerts in the evening.
Our shows work best in venues with capacities of 500-1,000 seats.

Fan Praise

“I just couldn’t believe they would know all those notes…” –Fond du Lac, WI

“I’m a history teacher; this is incredible. This is what we do here…in trying to learn and motivate kids to learn and understand history in new and different ways.”
- Mankato, MN

“I don’t know how we got them to come here, but it’s a real treat.”
–Fond du Lac, WI

“It made me cry – it was so good.” – Menasha, WI

“One of the best shows we've ever had.” - Austin, MN

“Chautauqua’s music is for the people, regardless of who they are”
– Washburn, WI

“What a wonderful, feel good group!”

Media Praise

“Big Top + big crowd = big money for library” – Sawyer County Record

“Crowd huge, music great Monday night” – Antigo Journal

“The auditorium was abuzz with energy and excitement.”
– Sawyer County Record

“Must See” – Sauk Center Herald

“Big Top Chautauqua raises the roof on entertainment”
– Wisconsin Trails Magazine

“Stars Shine Under The Big Top” – National Geographic Traveler

Below is information about the various shows we are currently traveling with. Dates are continually added to our touring schedule so check back for the most up-to-date listing. Please contact individual theaters directly for tickets and information unless otherwise noted.

SHOWS AVAILABLE FOR TOURING

30th Star
“30th Star”, Wisconsin’s Sesquicentennial Celebration centerpiece, recalls the era when immigrant families pioneered the Wisconsin wilderness. Voices of the past come alive with Native Americans, Voyageurs, miners, lumberjacks, soldiers, sailors, farmers and fishermen all joining in. The Civil War experience, early labor unrest, the treatying of Indian lands, the suffrage movement are each explored in this dramatic, illuminated musical tour.
30th Star Press Kit

American Stories
Celebrate in song the stories, and the faces of those who came before us - the pioneers, the lumber barons, the lighthouse keepers, the Voyageurs and the Native tribes. This collection of stories comes from some of our favorite shows: “30th Star“ - the story of Wisconsin, “Old Minnesota: Song of the North Star,“ “Keeper of the Light,“ “On the Velvet,“ “Centennial Green,“ “Evening at Chautauqua“ and “Riding the Wind.“
American Stories Press Kit

Abraham Lincoln’s Living Legacy:
The Full Measure for the People
As we approach the sesquicentennial anniversary of our nation’s Civil War (2011-2015), this is an opportune time when the lessons of our past can provide great insight into the struggle all nations sense in the world today. Period music, original songs and melodies, historic visual images and remembrances combine to create a portrait of the man Abraham Lincoln and the hopes and dreams, his words and proclamations have birthed in the hearts of Americans.
Lincoln Press Kit | Listen to "We All Need Abraham Lincoln"

Blue Canvas Orchestra in Concert
The famous Blue Canvas Orchestra and Singers breaks out the best of their musical chops, illuminated by the big screen visuals and punctuated by comedy, poetry and stories. This is a high-energy romp through the best of the best, a taste of what the Big Top is - and it is fantastic! The gang combines professional musicianship with humor and a spirited rapport with live audiences. Beautifully blended vocal harmonies are smoothly blended with exceptionally precise and exciting instrumentals. Each show is a different and unique mix of Blue Canvas Orchestra and crowd favorites.
BCO in Concert Press Kit | Watch "Yo Ho Buffalo"

Best of the Big Top
The famous Blue Canvas Orchestra and Singers breaks out the best of their musical chops, illuminated by the big screen visuals and punctuated by comedy, poetry and stories. This is a high-energy romp through the best of the best, a taste of what the Big Top is - and it is fantastic! Each show is a different and unique mix of Blue Canvas Orchestra and crowd favorites.
Best of the Big Top Press Kit

Song of the Seasons: Big Top Does Vivaldi
Travel through the seasons with Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua’s Blue Canvas Orchestra. Each season is introduced by a unique version of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons - leave it to the Blue Canvas Orchestra to take classical Vivaldi and put it through the musical wringer to create something new and slightly “funk-ified” by the outrageous talents of our string orchestra. Add to Vivaldi original songs from the Big Top including the classic “Autumn Fancy“ plus the big-screen visuals that illustrate the beauty of Wisconsin over all of her glorious seasons. This show is a feast for the eyes and ears - tell your friends!
Song of the Seasons Press Kit | Watch 'Dreamboat Steamboat"

Moon Songs & Moon Shadows:
Tribute to the songs of Paul Simon and Cat Stevens
The Blue Canvas Orchestra and guest artist Corey Carlson perform the songs of two of their favorite singer/songwriters: Paul Simon and Cat Stevens. Some of Paul’s most memorable hits include “Kodachrome,“ “Bridge over Troubled Water,“ “Red Rubber Ball,” “Call Me Al,” and “Song about the Moon.“ Cat Stevens, who has since changed his name to Yusef Islam, is celebrated for the songs of an era including “Moon Shadow,“ “Peace Train,“ “Wild World,“ and “Oh Very Young.” This upbeat, popular show opened to rave reviews in 2009 and is a crowd favorite
Press Kit | Watch "Late in the Evening"

Old Minnesota: Song of the North Star
Hear what Minnesota was all about in its early history. Old Minnesota: Song of the North Star is an original, musical, and historical hike through the old ways of the Gopher State. Travel back down the river of time with the Big Top Chautauqua Orchestra to see and hear what Minnesota was all about. The show portrays in story, song and large-screen vintage visuals the lives, ambitions and accomplishments of Minnesota’s Native inhabitants, European settlers and their descendants, reminding us of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve left behind

Wild Woods & Waters
“A Simply Beautiful Show!” Celebrate the wild side of our nation’s waters and landscapes. From the rivers to the Great Lakes, and from the wetlands to the forests, this show features the stories, songs and images of our greatest natural resources. It is a celebration of these gifts and a call to good stewardship to keep them safe for future generations.
Wild Woods & Waters Press Kit | Watch "Autumn Fancy"

Blue Canvas Singers (Formerly the Acefellas)
Straight from the stage of Big Top Chautauqua, the BCO Singers embrace that grand Chautauqua tradition of virtuosity and eclecticism navigating effortlessly between a huge range of vocal stylings. Whether it’s “Shenandoah” or “Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven, Won’t Have to Go to Church no More”, or the music of Crosby, Stills and Nash, the quartet bring with them their infectious love of music and vocal melodies. From Queen to Bach, then back to the Big Top, their performance is always warm, always fresh, and never to be missed.
Acafellas Press Kit

Blue Canvas Orchestra Unplugged
The Blue Canvas Orchestra is the heart and soul of Big Top Chautauqua. Comprised of cello, dobro, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, drums and vocals, these professional musicians present a well-seasoned blend of burnin’ bluegrass, swing-style jazz, Celtic influences, folk and blues. More than ready for prime time after appearing on the Big Top stage since 1986, the group combines professional musicianship with humor and a spirited rapport with live audiences.
BCO Unplugged Press Kit