Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua
Providing Culture Under Canvas Since 1986
Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua is a small community organization with a big mission and an enormous impact. For nearly four decades our organization has been building cultural bridges, opening inquisitive minds, capturing the zeitgeist while keeping one foot firmly planted in history. We encourage everyone to support the arts, let your hearts sing, remember those that came before, take care of the land and make the world a better place.
Big Top presents over 60 concerts, shows, and events June through September in an intimate 900 seat all-"canvas" tent, including international headliners, regional talent, and original productions. Our unique summer venue is located at the base of Mt. Ashwabay just outside of Bayfield, Wisconsin. Perched on the shores of Lake Superior, Bayfield is known as the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness Area.
Nestled under the blue and pearl grey canvas tent, our stage has hosted Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Nanci Griffith, Buddy Guy, Mearle Haggard, Bonnie Raitt and so many other renowned artists. In addition, our unique brand of original productions starring our famed house band the Blue Canvas Orchestra, bear the hallmark of exquisite musicianship, illustrated by breathtaking visuals, and imaginative storytelling.
Big Top presents over 60 concerts, shows, and events June through September in an intimate 900 seat all-"canvas" tent, including international headliners, regional talent, and original productions. Our unique summer venue is located at the base of Mt. Ashwabay just outside of Bayfield, Wisconsin. Perched on the shores of Lake Superior, Bayfield is known as the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness Area.
Nestled under the blue and pearl grey canvas tent, our stage has hosted Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Nanci Griffith, Buddy Guy, Mearle Haggard, Bonnie Raitt and so many other renowned artists. In addition, our unique brand of original productions starring our famed house band the Blue Canvas Orchestra, bear the hallmark of exquisite musicianship, illustrated by breathtaking visuals, and imaginative storytelling.
Our Mission
Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua is a non-profit arts organization with a mission to provide entertaining and educational activities with an emphasis on performances that celebrate history and the environment. Big Top Chautauqua works to:
- Support our local communities by elevating the quality-of-life and providing economic impact.
- Serve our visitors by providing exciting and diverse programming, as well as high quality entertainment.
- Provide accessible opportunities and artistic outlets for families and youth through free live performances, educational programs, as well as opportunities for learning about the performing arts and working with artistic mentors.
- Support musicians and artists to share their work, talents, and cultures while providing outlets for performing and creating original pieces.
The Impact of the Arts
Communities that invest in the arts reap the benefits of jobs, economic growth, and quality of life that positions those communities to compete in the creative economy. The arts help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion, or age, while driving tourism and our economy. Cultural and educational outreach programs spark creativity and innovation and improve the academic performance of those kids who take part.
Big Top Chautauqua would not be possible without the many instrumental supporters who serve as the fabric of our organization: our dedicated volunteers, enthusiastic fans, generous benefactors and grantors, talented musicians and performers, many local, regional and statewide businesses and organizations, and our passionate staff and board.
Big Top Chautauqua would not be possible without the many instrumental supporters who serve as the fabric of our organization: our dedicated volunteers, enthusiastic fans, generous benefactors and grantors, talented musicians and performers, many local, regional and statewide businesses and organizations, and our passionate staff and board.
View Big Top Chautauqua's 2021 Annual Report
The Ashwabay Alliance
Big Top Chautauqua and the Mt. Ashwabay Ski and Recreation Area have been sharing the beautiful property on Ski Hill Road for more than three decades. Both of our organizations are community- based educational organizations that are major economic drivers for the Northwoods and play an important role in the quality of life for the residents and visitors to the area, especially for families and children. For several years, both of our organizations have faced increasing needs for permanent facilities and improved infrastructure. In the spring of 2022, Big Top and Mt. Ashwabay announced that we would be combining our forces further in a new and all-encompassing way: by merging into one organization.
The Ashwabay Alliance features one overarching, combined Board of Directors, while our two lines of business continue to operate under our old names and will continue to provide the activities and programming you love. Joined together, our organizations will be able to expand our programs while focusing our strengths on much-needed facilities and infrastructure planning. Both our organizations look forward to future growth and continuing recognition as an iconic year-round destination for the state of Wisconsin and the entire upper Midwest.
The Ashwabay Alliance features one overarching, combined Board of Directors, while our two lines of business continue to operate under our old names and will continue to provide the activities and programming you love. Joined together, our organizations will be able to expand our programs while focusing our strengths on much-needed facilities and infrastructure planning. Both our organizations look forward to future growth and continuing recognition as an iconic year-round destination for the state of Wisconsin and the entire upper Midwest.
Board of Directors
Kim Ogle President
Essentia Health, Physician
Chuck Finn Vice President
State University of New York, Professor (Retired)
Mark Ehlers Treasurer
Ehlers & Pierce CPAs, Partner
Kellie Pederson Secretary
UW-Madison Extension, Outreach Specialist
Carol "Coke" Lindsey Board Member
Ashland Industries, Owner & Engineer (Retired)
Dave Anderson Board Member
Anderson Electric, Owner
Jim Perry Board Member
UW Oshkosh-Fox Cities, Campus Executive Officer & Dean Emeritus
Jim Miller Board Member
National Association for College Admission Counseling, College Enrollment Consultant and Former President
John Thiel Board Member
Howl Adventure Center, Owner
Kate Ullman Board Member
Northland College, Instructor of Education
Keith Kylmala Board Member
Kylmala Truss, Owner
Kyle Ellefson Board Member
Northern State Bank, Vice President
Terry Matier Organizational Director
Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Executive Director
Doug Olson Organizational Director
Mt. Ashwabay Outdoor Educational Foundation, Executive Director
Essentia Health, Physician
Chuck Finn Vice President
State University of New York, Professor (Retired)
Mark Ehlers Treasurer
Ehlers & Pierce CPAs, Partner
Kellie Pederson Secretary
UW-Madison Extension, Outreach Specialist
Carol "Coke" Lindsey Board Member
Ashland Industries, Owner & Engineer (Retired)
Dave Anderson Board Member
Anderson Electric, Owner
Jim Perry Board Member
UW Oshkosh-Fox Cities, Campus Executive Officer & Dean Emeritus
Jim Miller Board Member
National Association for College Admission Counseling, College Enrollment Consultant and Former President
John Thiel Board Member
Howl Adventure Center, Owner
Kate Ullman Board Member
Northland College, Instructor of Education
Keith Kylmala Board Member
Kylmala Truss, Owner
Kyle Ellefson Board Member
Northern State Bank, Vice President
Terry Matier Organizational Director
Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Executive Director
Doug Olson Organizational Director
Mt. Ashwabay Outdoor Educational Foundation, Executive Director
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