|
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.
|

BIG TOP TOUR SPONSOR
When it’s time to pull up the tent stakes and roll up the canvas in the fall, the Big Top Chautauqua performers and crew hit the road to bring our original shows to performing arts centers and schools throughout the Midwest. Our Chautauqua Original Musicals capture the essence of living in the Midwest through original music, stories and large-screen historic images, with songs about the Great Lakes, the people and the land. We always enjoy going on the road to share the stories, songs and images of the places we call home. We hope to see you in your community!
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 |