Dear Ashwabay Alliance Community,
I love to cook and entertain.
There’s something about bringing people together around a table. It’s not just the food or the setting—it’s the feeling you create.
And that feeling doesn’t happen by accident.
The timing matters. The prep matters. The small details most people never see matter.
As a host, you’re always thinking a few steps ahead:
- What needs to go in the oven now
- What needs a little more time
- When to pour the wine
So when everything comes together, your guests can simply arrive, settle in, and enjoy the evening.
In many ways, preparing for a Big Top Chautauqua season feels the same. Behind every show is a great deal of planning.
- It starts with building our “menu” as staff share ideas, brainstorm, and create a plan
- Next, we build the “grocery list” as we solidify the budget and gain board approval
- Then the “prep” begins as we hire seasonal staff, recruit volunteers, raise support, and secure sponsorships
- At the same time, we start “setting the table” by signing contracts with artists, preparing the grounds, and sharing the season with our community
- Finally, we “pour the wine” as we ready the Spirit Cottage, arrange seating areas, and build the Ashwabay Café
There’s a rhythm to it all. A shared effort.
And then, the moment arrives.
The bell rings, the lights go down, and the first note is played.
Everything that’s been months in the making comes together in a magical night under the stars.
That’s what hospitality means to us.
We’re creating a space where you feel welcomed, connected, and part of something meaningful—a place where you always have a seat at the table.
That same spirit carries into our Community Coffees. These gatherings are a chance to pull up a chair, share ideas, ask questions, and stay connected as we celebrate our 40th season together.
Community Coffees
May 8 | 8:30–10:00 AM | Backstage
May 15 | 8:30–10:00 AM | StageNorth
May 20 | 5:00–6:20 PM | Before Open Mic
May 21 | 5:30–7:00 PM | Before Live in the Lounge
May 29 | 8:30–10:00 AM | Backstage
June 4 | 12:00–1:30 PM | Mt. Ashwabay / Big Top Grounds (tour and sample the new menu)
June 12 | 8:30–10:00 AM | StageNorth
June 20 | Bell Street Gallery, Madeline Island (Social)
We hope you’ll join us!
Respectfully,
Garry Schalla
Creating the Experience: A Conversation with Hospitality Director Liesl Settgas
If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when an artist arrives at Big Top, it often starts with someone like Liesl Settgas.
Liesl has been part of the Big Top story for more than a decade, starting as an artist assistant and moving through stage and production management to her current role as Hospitality Director for the Ashwabay Alliance.
Her path reflects what hospitality looks like here:
- Stepping in where needed
- Paying attention to the details
- Creating an experience people can feel
“When artists arrive, we want them to experience where they are,” Liesl shared. “We live in one of the most beautiful places, and we want them to touch that.”
From that moment on, Liesl and her team work to meet their needs.
They prepare thoughtful meals, fulfill rider agreements, and add meaningful touches inside the Spirit Cottage, like local flowers and a charcuterie board featuring items like smoked fish from Bodin’s.
“We work hard at highlighting and reflecting our community within the Spirit Cottage,” says Liesl. It’s all designed to create a place where artists can rest, reset, and sometimes create.”
“They sit on the porch, draw in the guest book, and write songs,” Liesl said. “Here they’re able to take a breath from the pace of touring.”
That same care extends to every performing artist who comes through, including the Blue Canvas Orchestra. This year, we’re also bringing that focus to our audience.
“For a long time, much of our attention has been behind the scenes,” Liesl said. “This season, we’re bringing more of that effort forward.”
And one way that’s coming to life is through the reimagined Ashwabay Café.
Built around local food, seasonal menus, and partnerships with area farms, fisheries, and artisans, the café will reflect the Chequamegon Bay in both flavor and experience.
The vision is simple: create a place where people want to arrive early, gather, and linger after the show.
You’ll also notice updates to the grounds layout, including more inviting seating areas and shorter wait times at food and beverage lines.
It’s also part of something bigger.
The café will extend beyond the Big Top season and into winter, with a long-term vision of year-round service.
From summer evenings to winter days inside the chalet, the goal is to make Mt. Ashwabay a destination for all who spend time on the hill.
That same approach carries into upcoming events and festivals.
Lake Effect Music Fest will focus on all things local–from musicians to food vendors and area businesses.
At the Thunderbird Warrior Challenge, racers and spectators can expect fresh breakfast items, beverages, and an experience that matches the energy of the day.
At the heart of it all is a focus on supporting the community and creating memorable experiences for those who gather here.
“For me, it’s about creating opportunities for people to experience the arts, culture, and this community,” Liesl said. “Especially for young people and those who might not otherwise have access. That’s what makes it meaningful. Bringing together recreation, entertainment, and community in a way that feels connected, sustainable, and true to this place.”
