Old Last Night

Description

                            hosted by Michael Perry            
                            featuring the Blue Canvas Orchestra,            
                            special guest Steve Solkela, & Open Mic Allstars   

 As our 38th summer concert season winds down, join us under the tent for Big Top's annual end-of-season celebration hosted by Michael Perry and featuring performances from the Blue Canvas Orchestra and special guests!        

 The Blue Canvas Orchestra is truly the heart and soul of Big Top Chautauqua. Having graced the stage countless times since our founding in 1986, the band has had many iterations, performed on stages around Wisconsin, played across the airwaves on Tent Show Radio, and has become beloved for their unique brand of original productions and retrospective shows. Featuring a variety of professional musicians, our famed house band our known for their well-seasoned blend of bluegrass, folk, blues, and more.

 Hailing from New Auburn, Wisconsin, Michael Perry is a New York Times best-selling author, humorist, singer/songwriter, and host of Big Top Chautauqua's independently produced radio program Tent Show Radio. Michael Perry is the author of a dozen or so books including his bestselling memoirs Population: 485 (subsequently adapted for the stage), Truck: A Love Story, Coop, Visiting Tom, and Montaigne in Barn Boots. Perry writes/has written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Backpacker, Orion, and Salon.com. His essays have been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered and Michael Perry is also a contributing editor to Men’s Health.

Steve Solkela is a Musician/Comedian/Stuntman/Singer/Actor/ & Composer known for his non-sensical sense of humor, creative mind, unpredictable musical combinations, and immense pain tolerance, specializes in Funny Novelty Songs with a Midwestern Flavor that are sure to bring a laugh to your life. Hailing form Palo, MN, Steve studied Music at Rowan University out in New Jersey where he starred in several Operas and left that campus permanently scarred with his wacky antics. The Flying Finn can often be seen playing Accordion on a unicycle, longboard, stilts, or traveling the country with his 23-piece ensemble called Steve's "Overpopulated" One-Man Band!

 We are also excited to present some of our favorite regional musicians from The Backstage Open Mic sessions during this special evening under the tent. The talent that has presented itself has been phenomenal, from right here in our backyard! We'll pick the best of the best and give them a chance on the big stage - trust us, you'll be delighted!