2 minute read
Northwest Region
Calendar
June 2 St. Croix Falls - Music on the Overlook begins
June 2-3 Cable - Rumble on the Lake
June 2-11 Rice Lake - Aquafest
June 3 St. Croix Falls - City of Trails Race
June 3 Amery - Amery Trails Day
June 3 Milltown - Kid’s “R” First Fishing Tourney
June 3-4 Free Fishing Weekend in Wisconsin
June 5 Chetek - Taste of Chetek
June 6 Luck - Music in the Park begins
June 10 Amery - Taste of Glenna Farms
June 11 Bayfield - Big Top Chautauqua Tent Shows begin
June 15-17 Madeline Island - Eat, Stay, Skate & Play
June 16-18 Stanley - PRCA Dodge Series Rodeo Days
June 16-18 Clayton - Cheese Days
June 17 Apostle Islands - Inline Skating Event
June 17 Turtle Lake - Polk County Dairy Breakfast
June 17 Cable - Chequamegon 100 Bike Race
June 23-25 Clear Lake - Heritage Days Fair
June 23-25 Hayward - Musky Festival
June 24-25 Webster - Burnett Arts Festival
June 24-25 Mason - Mason Days
June 24 Balsam Lake - Water Ski Shows begin
June 24 & 25 Rice Lake - Hungry Hollow Steam Engine Days
June 24 & 25 Cameron - Pioneer Village Quilt & Strawberry Fest
June 25 & 27 Shell Lake - Faculty Jazz Band Concert
Come for the Music at Big Top Chautauqua
BAYFIELD - Plan on making at least one trip up to Mt. Ashwabay for live music this summer! Located 3 miles south of downtown Bayfield, Mt. Ashwabay is a ski hill during the winter but all summer long you can take in one of more than 50 nights of live music and entertainment under the Big Blue Tent, officially known as Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua (sha-ta-qwa).
This non-profit performing arts organization operates an intimate 900 seat, canvas tent theater. Big Top produces and presents a summer season of concerts, interactive lectures, and features original shows from their highly acclaimed professional local ensemble - The Blue Canvas Orchestra (BCO). Alongside talent from the region, Big Top continuously features nationally known artists. This year includes Michael Franti and Spearhead, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Mat Kearney, Sierra Ferrell, Nickel Creek, and Killer Queen - A Tribute to Queen with more acts being added weekly. The tent season runs from June to September and runs educational outreach and produces performance broadcasts year-round.
When the warm summer nights allow the tent walls to be lifted you will see patrons enjoying the show and basking in the moonlight. The stars seem to have extra twinkle when the modern sound system is contrasted against the abundant natural surroundings.
If hunger should strike amidst the show, never fear, Mt. Ashwabay (BTC partner organization) has delicious local favorites such as Lake Superior White Fish Street Tacos and Scandinavian style bratwurst.
Naturally, there are also many other northern Wisconsin favorites like cheese, wine, and beer. Should you wish to take a souvenir home, the gift tent has apparel, CD’s, books, gift cards, and other souvenirs.
This is a one-of-a-kind venue nestled between The Chequamegon National Forest and The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Big Top Chautauqua’s Big Blue Tent venue is located at the base of Mt. Ashwabay, about 3 miles south of downtown Bayfield. The address is 32525 Ski Hill Rd., Bayfield. For tickets or more information stop by year-round at the Box Office, Gift Shop, and The Backstage located at the junction of Highways 13 and J at the gateway to Bayfield; 84810 State Hwy 13, Bayfield, WI 54814. Call 715.373.5552, toll free 888.BIG.TENT, or visit bigtop.org.
