YEAR-ROUND ENTERTAINMENT
Open Mic Nights | 1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 6PM
at The Backstage
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Get up on stage or just grab a seat and listen. Join us for open mic nights every Wednesday at Big Top's new year-round venue The Backstage! Every other week we will be joined by special guest hosts, including some of your favorite Blue Canvas Orchestra musicians! Enjoy live entertainment and drinks during a unique night out.

​No tickets. No cover. No reservations. ​Open Mic Nights are FREE and open to the public.
Live In The Lounge | Thursday | 7PM
at StageNorth
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Live In The Lounge is Washburn’s one-of-a-kind concert series—bringing a new band every week to our small town stage. It’s loud, it’s raw, and it’s built on community. Donation-based entry keeps it accessible, and every show is different. 
Jazz Jam | Last Tuesday of Month | 7PM
at StageNorth
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Baba Fats will play some tunes to kick off the evening and then will open it up for anyone interested in collaborating to play jazz tunes!

Bring ur axe and put your name on the list with a couple of standards you’d like to play! The bar will be open but all ages are welcome, as this is a performing arts center. This jam is intended to be an inclusive learning environment for anyone interested in the jazz tradition!
MARCH 2026
MAR 7 | 7PM
Saltydog with Baba Fats
at StageNorth

Saltydog is a funk jam Improvisational exploration that takes the audience & band on a journey through their playfully crafted folk driven tunes inspired by the likes of everyone from The Talking Heads, The Band, those classic country and jam band staples along with everyone in between.

The band spawned on the banks of Duluth’s ice covered stones by brothers Jacob and Owen Mahon. This midwestern psychedelic cowboy review features Calvin (Calzone) Lund, Lefty Johnson, Gavin St. Clair, and Sam Deters.

The band’s genuine kindness, passion, enthusiasm and joy for their craft is apparent, enchanting & makes for an additive live performance. Their 2nd album Pepper dropped spring 2024 band is set to release their 3rd album in Spring 2025. The band has been known as differently original, very funky, and unpredictable in a delightful, soulful manner. There is something for everyone at a Saltydog show. You are beautiful, you are welcome, you will groove, we will vibe. We are Saltydog.
MAR 13-14 | 7PM
Step Into the Spotlight
A Dance Fundraiser supporting the Washburn Community Education Fund
at StageNorth

Step Into the Spotlight is an exciting dance production presented by Elevé Elite Dance Academy in collaboration with StageNorth and the Ashwabay Alliance. These high-energy, dance performances feature talented dancers showcasing competition-level choreography across a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. Through solos, duets, trios, and dynamic group pieces, the show celebrates growth, confidence, and the power of dance as a space to thrive.

Designed as an intimate and engaging experience, audiences will enjoy bold movement, storytelling, and connection both on and off the stage. A highlight of the evening includes Elevé Elite’s senior dancers performing to Cell Block Tango, from Chicago. This special performance is a fundraiser benefiting the Washburn Community Education Fund, whose early grant support helped Elevé Elite get its start. Performances take place at 7:00 pm Friday March 13th & Saturday March 14th, 2026.
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Tickets priced from $30–$40 and includes appetizers. Specialty dance themed cocktails and mocktails will be available to purchase and enjoy during the show. All net proceeds directly support opportunities in our community.
MAR 13 | 7PM
MAR 13 | 2PM
St. Paddy's Day
at The Backstage

What are the chances we’d have a real Irishman here in the Northwoods to lead our St. Paddy’s Day concerts? Our bard from Belfast, our balladeer of the Bodhran, our master of ceremonies Stevie Matier will charm the pants off us all with a party from Ireland you’ll not soon forget. Andy Noyes, Stevie’s partner in sublime together with Ed Willett will light the strings of their Bouzouki and cello on fire with blazing solos and beautiful Irish Aires. If all this weren’t enough to turn your Guiness to steam, we’ve got some very hot Irish musicians planning to stop in for the session as well. Be there for the unveiling of an amazing band, you won’t regret it.
MAR 17 | 7PM
​Celtic Calling featuring Molly Otis & Friends
​at StageNorth​​

A joyful performance of music, songs, stories, and dance. From Irish laments to energetic reels to modern Celtic rock vibes, the band pushes traditional music with contagious beats and soaring solos. Along with great music, John Alder will spin a yarn or two into his unique tales. Let's hope he wears his green jumpsuit!
APRIL 2026
APR 10 | 7PM
The Groove Project
​at StageNorth​

Co-founders Ted Petith (tenor sax) and Beth Tryon (bass) from Madison, are now based in Northern Wisconsin playing jazz/funk/fusion originals and standards with Tim Heil (guitars) and Steve Jones (drums).

The Groove Project brings an energized blend of jazz, funk and fusion to the stage, highlighting the improvisational skills of its members. Audiences can expect exciting sax, guitar, bass and drums with additional keyboards and other talented guest players depending non the venue. Prepare to enjoy rhythmic 70s funk, Latin and some old-school jazz from a solid group of seasoned players who absolutely love the genres that they perform together!​
APR 18 | 7PM
John Muir - University of the Wilderness
​at The Backstage

Members of the BCO invite you to celebrate Earth Day by taking a walk in the woods with the words of John Muir. A musical landscape will surround you, excite you to follow around the next bend, and deliver you to a deep appreciation for one of our country’s most influential naturalists. The program created by Ed Willett and Cheryl Leah for the centennial of the National Park Service enjoyed 32 performances in that centennial year for 17 of our national parks. They describe the program as a coming together of music and theater, and one that features their own “nature-forged” chamber music intertwined with Muir’s writings. They describe the musical landscape of the program as a place where Classical, Celtic and New Music beautifully collide.
APR 25 | 7PM
Reggae On The Rez
​at Legendary Waters Resort & Casino

For one irie night, the Apostle Islands turn Caribbean. We’re bringing the roots n' riddim to Legendary Waters Resort & Casino and letting the bass roll across the Bay.

Come catch the roots, rock, reggae and sway easy with good people and island energy. Whether you’re reggae massive or just reggae-curious, all are welcome—don't worry about a ting.

🎟 Tickets are $20 and include an island-inspired buffet. Come hungry. Leave irie.
Legendary Waters. One night. Don’t miss out!

Performers:
Spring Fed—A local favorite
TBA​
MAY 2026
JUNE 2026
JUN 19 | 7:30PM
Chase & Ovation
at The Big Top
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The World’s “Paramount Prince Tribute Show” based out of Prince’s beloved hometown of Minneapolis, MN. Chase has been traveling North America performing exclusively the music of Prince (live in concert) for the past 16 years including their monthly residency at the world-famous Bunkers Music Bar in Minneapolis, made famous by Prince himself. Fans of the show include many of Prince’s former bandmates and family members who all give Chase & Ovation the highest marks for reproducing Prince’s music “the way it is meant to be played, heard and felt.”
“In the decade before his passing, Prince allowed me to travel the world and perform in tribute and in reverence to his music. I have always done this with Prince’s knowledge under the name ‘Chase & Ovation.’ I wake up filled with gratitude every day and give thanks in prayer for the gift of music that Prince has given to me, but MORE importantly the gift that he has given to the world!” -Tommy Chase

Let us always remember to celebrate love, life, and the music of PRINCE!
JULY 2026
JUL 17 | 7:30PM
The Jayhawks
at The Big Top
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​The Jayhawks and their rootsy sound were definitely swimming against the tide when they emerged from a crowded Minnesota music scene in 1985. Over the course of almost 4 decades, 11 albums, countless memorable live shows and enough personal drama to fill a couple of Behind the Music episodes, this beloved band soared to heights few ever achieve while winning the hearts and minds of numerous critics, fans and peers in the process. After releasing two Indie albums in the 80s The Jayhawks signed with American Recordings in 1991 and over the next decade released 5 challenging, at times groundbreaking, albums, toured the world to widespread acclaim and even survived the departure of founding member Mark Olson in 1995. After a hiatus in the mid 2000s, the “classic” 1994 lineup reunited for another new studio album in 2011 and 2 years of solid touring, reacquainting audiences old and new with the band's timeless musical vision. 2014 saw a late 90s version of the band led by Gary Louris hitting the road to support the reissues of the 3 Jayhawks albums released from 1997-2003. This lineup released the band's 9th studio album in 2016, recorded in Portland, OR with producers Peter Buck and Tucker Martine. The band's next studio album, Back Roads And Abandoned Motels, was released in the summer of 2018, featuring Jayhawks versions of songs Gary Louris had previously written with other artists plus 2 new compositions. Recording for a new Jayhawks album was completed in Minnesota in late 2019 and in July 2020 the band released their 11th studio album, XOXO.
JUL 18 | 7:30PM
Killer Queen | A Tribute To Queen
at The Big Top

​Awarded "Worldwide Best Tribute Band" Killer Queen blew the roof off The Tent in 2023 and they want to do it again for our fortieth season! We can't wait to have them back.
Killer Queen is a British Queen tribute band founded in 1993 by Patrick Myers while at London University—the same venue where Queen first played. Renowned for their authentic sound, stagecraft, and uncanny recreation of Queen, they've won numerous awards and sold out arenas, leading them to a collaboration with Fatboy Slim on a chart-topping single. Their international tours have included high-profile performances such as a Live Aid tribute and shows at iconic venues like the West End and Red Rocks Amphitheater.
JUL 24 | 7:30PM
Judy Collins with special guest The High Kings
at The Big Top

Judy Collins has long inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, her luminescent presence shines brightly as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 55-album body of work, and heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century.
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The award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions. Her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy’s dreamy and sweetly intimate version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, won "Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She’s garnered several top-ten hits gold- and platinum-selling albums. Recently, contemporary and classic artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen honored her legacy with the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.
The cultural treasure’s 55th album, Spellbound, was released in February 2022, finds Judy enjoying an artistic renaissance. The 13 song album is a special entry in her oeuvre. It marks the first time ever she wrote all the songs on one of her albums. It features 12 new recently-written modern folk songs, and a bonus track of her evergreen, “The Blizzard.” Spellbound is an introspective and impressionistic album. It unfolds as if Judy curated a museum exhibit of her life, and welcomed us into a retrospective of her most formative moments, some big and public, and some intensely personal and intimate.  Spellbound was nominated in the Best Folk Album category at the 65th Recording Academy Grammy Awards in 2023.
 
While maintaining her rigorous touring schedule, Judy is set to release her first book of poetry in March of 2025 with Andrews McMeel Publishing. Written with the bold vulnerability that Judy Collins is best known for, Sometimes It’s Heaven is a timeless collection of poetry that captures the ethereal and inspiring nature of her artistry in an all-new way. Biographical and relatable, Sometimes It’s Heaven is a must-read  for fans of poetry, fans of Judy, and fans of truth.