The Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua is a 900-seat music venue and

performing arts center Performing arts center/centre (see spelling differences), often abbreviated as PAC, is used to refer to: * A multi-use performance space that is intended for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. :The ...

, located near

Bayfield, Wisconsin Bayfield is a city in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 584 at the 2020 census. This makes it the city with the smallest population in Wisconsin. In fact, for a new city to be incorporated today, state regulations re ...

. It is an all-canvas tent-theater which has operated since 1986, primarily during the summer, and has hosted such entertainers as Johnny Cash,

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album '' Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of '' Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (1 ...

Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn (; April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. In a career spanning six decades, Lynn released multiple gold albums. She had numerous hits such as "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Ma ...

B.B. King Riley B. King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015), known professionally as B.B. King, was an American blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending, shi ...

Merle Haggard Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Haggard was born in Oildale, California, toward the end of the Great Depression. His childhood was troubled a ...

, Emmylou Harris,

Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...

and Lyle Lovett. The venue is known for its characteristic blue canvas tent, which is set up annually during the summer at the base of the Mount Ashwabay Ski Hill, three miles south of Bayfield. Operated as a

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

, some goals of the venue are to showcase local and regional performers, present internationally acclaimed artists, and present original musical theater with a historical and local element.Big Top Chautauqua
/ref> A weekly network radio program, ''Tent Show Radio'', is broadcast by radio stations across the country. Each one-hour program features digitally recorded highlights from the previous summer season at the tent.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Official Website
Tourist attractions in Bayfield County, Wisconsin Performing arts centers in Wisconsin Music venues in Wisconsin