Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua
A non-profit performing arts organization 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 501(c)(3) 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
Physician; Essentia Health
Chuck Finn: Vice President
Professor; State University of New York (retired)
Mark Ehlers: Treasurer
Partner; Ehlers & Pierce CPAs (semi-retired)
Kellie Pederson: Secretary
Outreach Specialist; UW-Madison Extension
Bill Van Sant: Board Member
Executive Chairman/CEO; Manufacturing
Carol "Coke" Lindsey: Board Member
Owner & Engineer; Ashland Industries (retired)
Dave Anderson: Board Member
Owner; Anderson Electric
Dominic Papatola: Board Member
Regional Director; Otto Bremer Trust
Jim Perry: Board Member
Campus Executive Officer & Dean Emeritus; UW Oshkosh-Fox Cities
Jim Miller: Board Member
College Enrollment Consultant & Former President; National Association for College Admission Counseling
John Gerzina: Board Member
Architect/Owner; DSGW Architects
John Thiel: Board Member
Owner; Howl Adventure Center
Kate Ullman: Board Member
Instructor of Education; Northland College
Katrina "Kat" Werchouski: Board Member
Education Specialist; MN Dept of Human Services, Office for Equity and Inclusion
Keith Kylmala: Board Member
Owner; Kylmala Truss
Kyle Ellefson: Board Member
Vice President; Northern State Bank
Sara Richter: Board Member
Development Engagement Manager; Voyageur Outward Bound School
Terry Matier: Organizational Director
Executive Director; Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua
Doug Olson: Organizational Director
Executive Director; Mt. Ashwabay Outdoor Educational Foundation
Physician; Essentia Health
Chuck Finn: Vice President
Professor; State University of New York (retired)
Mark Ehlers: Treasurer
Partner; Ehlers & Pierce CPAs (semi-retired)
Kellie Pederson: Secretary
Outreach Specialist; UW-Madison Extension
Bill Van Sant: Board Member
Executive Chairman/CEO; Manufacturing
Carol "Coke" Lindsey: Board Member
Owner & Engineer; Ashland Industries (retired)
Dave Anderson: Board Member
Owner; Anderson Electric
Dominic Papatola: Board Member
Regional Director; Otto Bremer Trust
Jim Perry: Board Member
Campus Executive Officer & Dean Emeritus; UW Oshkosh-Fox Cities
Jim Miller: Board Member
College Enrollment Consultant & Former President; National Association for College Admission Counseling
John Gerzina: Board Member
Architect/Owner; DSGW Architects
John Thiel: Board Member
Owner; Howl Adventure Center
Kate Ullman: Board Member
Instructor of Education; Northland College
Katrina "Kat" Werchouski: Board Member
Education Specialist; MN Dept of Human Services, Office for Equity and Inclusion
Keith Kylmala: Board Member
Owner; Kylmala Truss
Kyle Ellefson: Board Member
Vice President; Northern State Bank
Sara Richter: Board Member
Development Engagement Manager; Voyageur Outward Bound School
Terry Matier: Organizational Director
Executive Director; Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua
Doug Olson: Organizational Director
Executive Director; Mt. Ashwabay Outdoor Educational Foundation
