Full Bar  |  Year-round  |  The Backstage is located at the intersection of highways J and 13 in Bayfield, Wisconsin. 
​Opened in 2022, The Backstage is Big Top Chautauqua's new year-round venue, event center, and home to our famous house band the Blue Canvas Orchestra. With a full-service bar offering beer, wine, cocktails, and specialty drinks, The Backstage is the perfect place to enjoy a unique night out. 

This intimate performance space hosts our off-season shows featuring local artists and touring performers November-May, and engaging community events like our weekly Open Mic Nights all year round. The Backstage is one of the few establishments in the Northwoods where you can enjoy quality live entertainment, drinks, and food all under the same roof.

Upcoming Events at The Backstage
Open Mic Nights continue all year round. There are no additional scheduled events at this time. 
Watch for special holiday shows and monthly events in the Big Top's off-season, Nov-May.

The Backstage's 2024 Show Season is sponsored by Jim Bryan & Dee Johnson
Saturday, June 1, 2024 | The Backstage
Every Wednesday Night, 6:00 - 9:00pm | The Backstage

Open Mic Nights

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 week we will be joined by special guest hosts, including some of your favorite Blue Canvas Orchestra musicians! Enjoy live entertainment, drinks, and lite-fare during a unique night out.

Event Details:  Join us at The Backstage every Wednesday night, year-round, from 6:00-9:00pm.

Tickets: No tickets. No cover. No reservations. ​Open Mic Nights are FREE and open to the public.

Whisper Policy: The Backstage is a listening room and while the performers love to hear your applause, laughter, and often even singing along, excessive conversation distracts other listeners and is disrespectful to the performers who we all came to hear. We encourage talking before the show, between sets and after the show but ask that during the performances, audience members keep their voices low and talking to a minimum.

Location & Directions

Big Top’s Box Office & Gift Shop has relocated to Bayfield, Wisconsin in the remodeled building formerly known as The Northern Edge.

Located just outside Bayfield city limits, at the intersection of Highway 13 and County Highway J, The Backstage event center is located through the same doors leading to the Box Office and Gift Shop.

For additional questions, please call the Box Office at (715) 373-5552.

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