The Ashwabay Alliance was created to bring together the organizations that care for some of Bayfield’s most important cultural and recreational spaces.
For decades, Mount Ashwabay has provided outdoor adventure while venues like Big Top Chautauqua have built a reputation as one of the Midwest’s most unique music destinations. By connecting these efforts, the Alliance creates a stronger future for both the mountain and the arts community.
Mt. Ashwabay was established as a small alpine ski hill serving the communities of Ashland, Washburn, and Bayfield. The hill quickly became a winter gathering place for local families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Mt. Ashwabay expanded its recreation offerings by adding Nordic ski trails, transforming the hill into a broader outdoor recreation destination with cross-country skiing opportunities.
A permanent tent theater opened near Mt. Ashwabay, launching what became the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua. The 900-seat blue canvas tent quickly became one of the Midwest’s most unique summer music venues, hosting artists like Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Emmylou Harris.
Planning began to expand programming beyond the summer tent season, leading to indoor venues and partnerships that would support year-round music and arts.
The Backstage opened to provide a small indoor venue for concerts and community events, allowing programming to continue outside the summer tent season.
StageNorth first opened in 2001 in Washburn as a small community theater, later relocating in 2007 to a new purpose-built facility overlooking Lake Superior. Founded by local creatives and built with strong community involvement, the 150-seat venue quickly became a staple of the South Shore arts scene, hosting live music, theater, and performances in an intimate setting. Today, under the operation of Big Top Chautauqua, StageNorth continues to serve as a year-round extension of the region’s performing arts presence, connecting local talent and touring acts with audiences in the Bayfield area.
The Alliance now supports programming across four locations:
• Mt. Ashwabay, outdoor recreation and education
• Big Top Chautauqua, large summer concert venue
• StageNorth, performing arts venue in Washburn
• The Backstage, intimate indoor music venue
